The White Medicine Woman

The Oregon Trail almost broke her, but Lizzie wouldn't give up… not even if she was only seventeen years old with an infant. If she had to travel 2,000 miles across prairies, mountains, and deserts in a covered wagon to be with her husband, so be it. If her friends ridiculed and threatened her because of her friendships with Indians, she wouldn't budge. If people questioned how a woman could be a doctor to her neighbors and a medicine woman to the Indians, she just shrugged and did what she felt called to do. The governor of the state applauded her "lifetime of kindness." A respected writer of the time wrote that she answered "…the call of Indian and white man by foot, by horse, and by canoe…" wherever she was needed. The hummingbird and bear claws were symbols of help and healing, and these were the symbols of Lizzie Perry. This heroic story shows the strength and determination of a real pioneer woman as she settled in the American wild west. "The First Medicine Woman" is a standalone novel which is also the third book of the Restless Journeys series.

Lizzie Perry made a mark in Oregon history by taking unpopular stands with courage and compassion. She confronted Dr. Whitman at his Mission and Dr. McLaughlin at Fort Vancouver for their patronizing relationship with the tribes. She raised a family in the wilderness while providing medical care to whoever asked. This sensitive woman defended the Cayuse Five at their trial, hid Chief Thunder Sky from murderous white settlers, assisted the survivors of the Bear Creek Massacre, encouraged Chief Paulina when a posse was determined to kill him, and prayed for Chief Joseph as he fled the army on his long Trail of Tears. Her closest friends were Indians at a time when this was seen as treason to her white community. Lizzie's story is wrapped up with her relationships with three amazing Indian women: her belief in Red Quail, her struggle to save Butterfly, and her forty-year friendship with Gentle Bird. She respected, defended, and protected many of the Oregon tribes while insisting that, "what we are doing to the tribes is not fair or right." For many years, these tribes watched over her farm in case the white settlers discovered her aid and allegiance to the Indians. They swore their protection to her and her family. Lizzie told people that her specialties were bullets and babies, but she never turned down medical care regardless of who the person was, however great or small their need. Her conviction was that all people were special and that the worst failing was not to help them. The governor of the state applauded her "lifetime of kindness." A respected writer of the time wrote that she answered "…the call of Indian and white man by foot, by horse, and by canoe…" wherever she was needed. Hummingbirds and bear claws were symbols of help and healing, and these were the symbols of Lizzie Perry. This heroic story shows the strength and determination of a real pioneer woman as she settled in the American wild west.

Steve Stephens has been a counseling/clinical psychologist, life coach, seminar speaker, radio talk show host, university professor, and author of over 20 nonfiction books. He has a minor in literature and an unending curiosity about history. He has spent much of his career as a psychologist helping people deal with trauma and all the difficulties that come their way. Steve and his wife Tami have three grown children. They live in the Pacific Northwest where they love to hike, explore, laugh, play games, read, travel, encourage people, and dream exciting dreams.