Vi Hilbert Collections: Audio Selections

This site provides selected access to, as well as information about, collections developed by Vi Hilbert (1918-2008), noted elder of the Upper Skagit tribe.

Audio - Voices of the First People

This page provides the audio samples hosted on the original Voices of the First People website. These materials are organized them into 6 categories that highlight aspects of Vi Hilbert’s life and work, focusing on her commitment to the preservation, documentation, and revitalization of Lushootseed language and lifeways: Stories; Talking about stories and traditional knowledge; Language work; Personal history; Talking about Lushootseed culture; Talking about The Healing Heart Symphony. Please note that this is just a selection of material. Most audio, video, related materials must have not been digitized and must be accessed on the UW campus. Please contact the curator here.

STORIES

Coyote and Rock
This story comes from Edward (“Hagen”) Sam (Tulalip) (recorded by Thom Hess, Tulalip Reservation, 1963). There are many stories about Coyote and, as usual, he triumphs, ultimately, in this humorous adventure. Vi taqʷšəblu Hilbert begins the story in Lushootseed and does a line-by-line translation. (Audio recording by Donald Braid, the “Boiserie,” Burke Museum, University of Washington, 1-11-87)
Crow’s Husband Died
This story comes from Martha Lamont (Tulalip) (recorded by Thom Hess, the Lamont home, Tulalip Reservation, 8-28-63). It is one episode of a longer story about duIibeA, the Changer, and his encounters with various characters. Here Crow mourns her dead husband, Slug, in a song, and Raven insults his low status. Vi begins the story in Lushootseed and does a line-by-line translation. (Audio recording by Donald Braid, the “Boiserie,” Burke Museum, University of Washington, 1-11-87)

ABOUT STORIES & TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE

Harriette Shelton Dover Talks about Stories
Harriette Shelton Dover (Tulalip), daughter of Ruth and William Shelton, explains the need to listen repeatedly to the indigenous stories in order to understand their teachings. (Audio recording by unidentified recordist, Kane Hall, University of Washington, 5-17-80)

PERSONAL HISTORY

Becoming a Storyteller
Vi talks about her initial work as a translator of stories, working from recordings of storytellers she admired. She began re-telling the stories she translated and gradually gained confidence as a storyteller as she found her own voice. (Interview and audio recording by Laurel Sercombe, the Hilbert home, Seattle, 3-8-94)

LANGUAGE WORK

Vi Talks About Starting Language Work
Vi describes her first experience observing Thom Hess in a language session with Louise cisxʷisaɫ George. Though she wasn’t speaking Lushootseed in her daily life and didn’t think she knew enough, Vi’s confidence gradually grew as she realized how much she actually did know. (Interview and audio recording by Janet Yoder, the Hilbert home, 2-6-2004)
Hess Encourages Vi to Take on Language Work
Thom Hess suggests that Vi consider taking a linguistics course and get more involved with language work. He assures her that with her background, her good ear, and her brains, she could do wonders! (Audio recording by Vi Hilbert, the home of Louise George, 4-16-68)
Talking About Salmon
At an early language session, Vi and Louise George (Nooksack) educate Thom Hess about a part of the salmon, and Vi extols the delights of salmon head soup. (Audio recording by Vi Hilbert, the home of Louise George, 3-7-68)
Invitation to Language Work
At Vi’s first Skagit language session with linguist Thom Hess, he suggests that she could make a tremendous contribution to indigenous language study if she were to begin working with him on Skagit. Vi expresses her enthusiasm for the eventual publication of a dictionary and Skagit stories to pass on to the next generation. (Audio recording by Vi Hilbert, the Hilbert home, Seattle, 2-17-68)
First Language Session
At Vi's first Skagit language session with linguist Thom Hess, he presents 8 sounds used in Lushootseed and explains how linguists distinguish sounds by the way they are shaped by the mouth. He describes how to write down the sounds and asks her to add to a list of words using these symbols, based on her knowledge of their pronunciation. (Audio recording by Vi Hilbert, the Hilbert home, Seattle, 2-17-68)

LUSHOOTSEED CULTURE

Introduction to the Event “Sharing Sacred Gifts”
First in Lushootseed and then in English, Vi welcomes those attending an event held to honor the memory of historians Susie Sampson Peter and Ruth Shelton. These elders were among those who carried the cultural teachings in the form of stories, songs, and narratives during their lifetimes and passed on these gifts to the next generations as guidelines for living. (Audio recording by unidentified recordist, Kane Hall, University of Washington, 12-5-93)
Salmon
Vi talks about the role and importance of salmon for Coast Salish people. Salmon are considered an honored gift from the spirit, and every part is to be used and enjoyed. (Interview and audio recording by Janet Yoder, La Conner, WA, 6-7-2008)
Burnings
Vi talks about burnings as a way to contact those who’ve passed away. She describes the correct way to conduct a burning, as described to her by her mother. (Interview and audio recording by Janet Yoder, La Conner, WA, 3-2-2006)
Casinos
Vi talks about tribal casinos as a practical reaction to the demise of available employment in logging and fishing and about the relationship of the casinos to traditional gambling practices. (Interview and audio recording by Janet Yoder, La Conner, WA, 6-9-2008)

HEALING HEART SYMPHONY

The Healing Heart Symphony
In response to the September 11, 2001 attacks, Vi sought a healing message for the world by commissioning composer Bruce Ruddell to create “The Healing Heart of the First People of This Land.” This 4-movement symphony, inspired by the songs by Chief Seattle (siʔaɬ) and Isadore petius Tom, was premiered by the Seattle Symphony, conducted by Gerard Schwarz, on May 20, 2006. (Interview and audio recording by Janet Yoder, La Conner, WA, 6-16-2007)

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