John Slocum

Squ-sacht-un (1838 – 11 November 1897), also known as John Slocum, was a member of the Squaxin Island Tribe, Coast Salish, and a reputed holy man and prophet who founded the Indian Shaker Church in 1881.

"[8] Slocum said God had informed him that Native Americans would be saved if they gave up harmful behaviors such as drinking, smoking tobacco, and gambling.

[2] Slocum believed that he had been granted a limited time on earth, during which he felt compelled to construct a church and guide his people towards salvation.

"[11] Slocum and some of his followers were imprisoned regularly for their opposition to government-mandated acculturation programs for Pacific Coast peoples.

Persecutions ended after the church was incorporated in Oregon (1907), Washington (1910), and California (1932), and in the late 20th century more than 20 congregations united, with some 3,000 adherents.

[1]: 108  Slocum was succeeded as church leader by Louis "Mud Bay Louie" Yowaluch (d. 1906), his friend and former employee in the timber-cutting trade.