sedona legend helen frye


*Journey Into Spirit*

Sedona Legend Profile Series

Helen Frye and the Hopi Nation

In an interview with one of Helen Frye's former secretaries, Jean C. Strong, we learn more about Helen's love for the Native American culture.

"It was during the construction of the Apache Fires house that Helen had her first major encounter with a rattlesnake. Prior to that any rattlesnake that crossed her path was a good as dead. However after this encounter she felt differently. As she reviewed house plans in her basement she heard a sound like rustling wind. She looked down to find a rattlesnake coiled up, just at her feet, but it did not strike. She was very grateful to that snake and felt it had been sent to her for a purpose. After this she felt as did her native friends that the rattlesnake was sacred and she became rabid about protecting them, often lecturing people she met to leave them alone.
Helen became friends with her native workmen employed at her ranch and was fascinated by their stories. In her visits to the reservation she became acquainted with a renowned Hopi-Navajo Medicine Man whom she called 'Grandfather.' He was so taken by her healing talents that he invited her to become his apprentice. But by this time her health was so bad she felt she wouldn't survive the primitive conditions the experience would entail. She did continue to visit him from time to time, as well as with other Indians. From her native friends she also learned many cooking recipes and methods which she often shared with the frequent guests in her home. Helen was a fabulous and creative cook.
Because of her relationship with the Indians, Helen was frequently invited to attend their scared ceremonies and dances from which outsiders were generally excluded. As Helen's friend, I was also allowed to attend these ceremonies, even the young women's initiation dance. The snake dance was another of these ceremonies we attended. Once when a native friend of Helen's died, the tradition was followed of burning his Hogan with all the family possessions. This was necessary to remove the evil spirit which had caused his disease. Helen saw the need of his family however- and took her pick-up truck around to friends soliciting donations of household goods. The man's family was so grateful that they had a special dance of thanks and celebration in Flagstaff to honor Helen Frye and those who had helped. Many times I tried to convince her to write her life story!

I think most people that knew Helen would agree she was a unique 'character.' She was warm-hearted and generous- sometimes to her own detriment. She also was a master story-teller. Helen Frye was a good friend of mine to whom I am indebted. I am grateful that you asked me for my recollections, as I feel Helen deserves to be honored and respected for the unique human being she was."



*Photos of Helen visiting the Navajo-Hopi Land Fall of 1960. Photos courtesy Rosie Armijo*



				Helen's Sedona ranch was often visited by southwestern Native Americans Indians. Many recognized the ranch as a sacred place. One group of Hopi elders told Helen that her Sedona property was known as an old "sacred healing ground".


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The incredible Native American is music titled: Sacred Ground, is performed by Elan Michaels. The music highlights Helen Frye's incredible bond with the Hopi-Navajo People, and her life long search for spiritual awareness. Thank you Elan for your generous contribution to this work. Please click on the logo below to visit Elan's website, Spiritual Music of the World.



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*Sedona Legend Helen Frye*