Rochelle Rasmussen-Sandeen helped Native Americans honor their cultures

It was her desire to bring Native Americans together to celebrate their cultures and beliefs. Although she died unexpectedly, her family and friends believe she fulfilled her mission and that others will carry it forward.

Rochelle Rasmussen-Sandeen, 57, of Bellingham, died Thursday, April 9, of liver cancer. More than a dozen family and friends surrounded her in the hospital, drumming and singing ancient chants and songs.

She was from the Quileute and Makah nations and was the president of Honor Day, a ceremony started in 2000 that recognizes native people every Aug. 20. Last year, the celebration was at Seattle Center. She hoped someday to make it a national holiday to recognize all people.

One of her close friends, Silversong Belcourt, who founded Honor Day, said they had long dinner conversations about the gift of native people and how to pass that onto the youth.

"She was a pillar of what's possible for a native person to take advantage of in education and to bridge two cultures," she said. "The Honor Day is her legacy."

Ms. Rasmussen-Sandeen was just a couple of courses shy of receiving her bachelor's degree in communications from Western Washington University, where she worked for several years in the administrative offices. She was also involved in Native-American activities, powwows and community work.

Ms. Rasmussen-Sandeen was a poet and artist who spent hours sketching subjects that incorporated nature, especially eagles and trees.

"It was a Zen thing for her," Belcourt added.

Leah Eister-Hargrave said her mother taught her to be true to herself and embrace the creative, artistic side of life. She has memories of her mother making canned jams, fresh-baked bread and hordes of Christmas cookies.

Ms. Rasmussen-Sandeen spent some of her early years on a reservation in the La Push area in Clallam County before moving to Seattle as a youngster, Eister-Hargrave said.

"Helping the Native-American cultures be recognized was really important to her," she said.

Belcourt said Ms. Rasmussen-Sandeen "had completed her earth walk."

She is survived by her father, Donald Rasmussen, of Sumner; four sisters; her daughter, Leah Eister-Hargrave, of Seattle; a son, Aaron Sandeen, of Park City, Utah; and two grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her mother, Anita Rasmussen.

A memorial service will be at noon Saturday at the Daybreak Star Cultural Center in Discovery Park.

Christine Willmsen: 206-464-3261 or cwillmsen@seattletimes.com