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Muksamse'lapli

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Muksamse'lapli, also known as White Cindy, was a Two-Spirit Klamath healer who lived on a small ranch on the shore of Agency Lake, in Oregon, close to the Klamath Reservation.[1] Muksamse'lapli was assigned male at birth, but is referred to in most historical and contemporary accounts as a woman or transvestite, and referred to themself as "half she and half he".[2]

Muksamse'lapli's knowledge of healing and botany were respected and sought after by both Klamath[2] and non-Native botanists seeking knowledge of local plants.[1]

Muksamse'lapli was arrested and jailed for violent altercations with Klamath people on the reservation, though in some of these cases the plea was self-defense.[3]

Muksamse'lapli was married twice.[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b Coville, Frederick V. (1897). "Notes on the plants used by the Klamath Indians of Oregon". Contributions from the United States National Herbarium. 5 (2). Washington, D. C.: Department of Botany, Smithsonian Institution: I–II. JSTOR 23490851.
  2. ^ a b c McLeod, Edith R. (24 May 1950). "White Cindy, mystery figure, was powerful tribe member". Herald and News. Klamath Falls. p. 14.
  3. ^ "White Cindy is given liberty". The Evening Herald. Klamath Falls. 6 June 1914. p. 1. Retrieved 7 September 2016.