Vi Hilbert Collections: Video 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.

Video - Voices of the First People

This page provides the video 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

Basket Ogress
This version of the Basket Ogress story comes from Vi Hilbert's father, Charley Anderson, and it is the only story of his preserved on audio tape (recorded by Willard Rhodes in Everson, Washington, 1950). He told the story in English, and Vi translated it back into Lushootseed (Skagit); here she tells it in both languages. The story begins with a song, and though Vi felt she did not have a singing voice, she includes the song out of respect for her father. (Videorecording by Padma Guidi, The Evergreen State College, 8-15-93)
Lady Louse
This very short story comes from Elizabeth Krise (Tulalip) (recorded by Thom Hess, 1962), and it had a special role in Vi’s work. She told it frequently and used it as a teaching tool, challenging her audiences to come up with their own ideas of its meaning and to write their own versions. Vi translated the original Lushootseed (Snohomish) into English and tells the story here in both languages. (Videorecording by Padma Guidi, Nordic Heritage Museum, 1-2-93)
Lifting the Sky
This story comes from Chief William Shelton (Tulalip) (published in English, 1923). Vi told it as part of the Spring Revels, with the help of a cast of children and the attending audience. (Videorecording by Padma Guidi, Spring Revels, Scottish Rite Temple, Seattle, 5-2-93)
Loon and Deer
This story was told in English by Vi Hilbert’s father, Charley Anderson (manually transcribed by Sally Snyder, Everson, Washington, 1954). Vi translated the story into Lushootseed and tells it in both languages here. (Videorecording by Padma Guidi, Nordic Heritage Museum, 1-2-93)
Mud Swallow
This children’s story comes from Vi’s cousin Harriet Shelton Dover (Tulalip) (recorded by Vi Hilbert, 1980). Vi translated Mrs. Dover’s English version into Lushootseed and tells it here in both languages. (Videorecording by Padma Guidi, Seattle Central Community College, 5-12-93)
Owl and Frog
This story comes from Martha Lamont (Tulalip) (recorded in her home on the Tulalip Reservation by Thom Hess, 1964). In her introduction to the story, Vi says she usually tells this story in April, when the frogs are most active. She translated the story into English and tells it here in both Lushootseed (Snohomish) and English. (Videorecording by Padma Guidi, The Evergreen State College, 8-15-93)
Skunk
This story comes from Vi’s cousin Walter Williams (Skagit) (recorded in Deming, Washington by Vi Hilbert, 1982). Vi translated the story into English and tells it here in both Lushootseed and English. (Videorecording by Padma Guidi, The Evergreen State College, 8-15-93)

ABOUT STORIES & TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE

Commentary on Lady Louse
Following her telling of Lady Louse on this occasion, Vi described one young woman’s interpretation of the story. (Videorecording by Padma Guidi, Nordic Heritage Museum, 1-2-93)
Local Geography and Lushootseed Stories
On the second day of her 4-day 83rd birthday party, Vi talked about local place names and the significance of these places as important historical sites depicted in Lushootseed stories. She was concerned about the fate of a hill near her home that was threatened with industrial development. That hill, associated with the story of the battle between north wind and south wind, has since been saved through the efforts of the Cascade Land Conservancy, the City of Tukwila and the Friends of the Hill and is known as the Duwamish Hill Preserve. (Videorecording by Laurel Sercombe, Swinomish Reservation gymnasium, 7-27-01)
Traditional Knowledge
Vi talks about oral tradition and the knowledge that is passed on in the stories of the First People. (Videorecording by Padma Guidi, The Evergreen State College, 8-15-93)

LUSHOOTSEED CULTURE

Indian Shaker Church
Vi holds an old group photo taken near the Concrete Shaker Church and talks about growing up in the Shaker community during the Depression. She recalls the spirit of fellowship and sharing that characterized relations among church members during hard times. (Videorecording by Zeke Zahir, the Hilbert home, 2-15-2000)
Martin Sampson and Vi Hilbert
Vi and her cousin Martin Sampson were recorded at his home in Tacoma shortly before his passing. Martin Sampson, son of Susie Sampson Peter, speaks in Skagit about his mother’s experience acquiring her spirit power, and Vi reads an English translation of his account. (Videorecording by unidentified source, Tacoma, Washington, March 1980)

LANGUAGE WORK

Language Lesson
The language lessons in Lushootseed books 1 and 2 (prepared by Thom Hess and Vi Hilbert; available from Lushootseed Research) were the basis for much of Vi’s teaching. In this short segment of a language session in the Hilbert basement, Vi works with Janet Yoder, Robby Rudine, and Greg Watson. (Videorecording by Don Hilbert, 198?)
Vi Hilbert Introduces Herself
In a studio production intended for the general public, Vi presents an introduction to her work to revive and preserve the Lushootseed language. (From “Learning Lushootseed,” produced in the facilities of University of Washington Instructional Media Services, 1982)

PERSONAL HISTORY

Naming Ceremony
At this naming ceremony in 1978, Isadore Tom (Lummi/Skagit) presided over the naming of Vi Hilbert, her son Ron, daughter Lois, and Lois’ son Jay and daughter Jill. The ceremony was conducted in the presence of invited witnesses and an audience that included Vi’s students as well as members of several local tribes. (Videorecording by Ken Stevens and Karen Morrell (University of Washington), Swinomish Reservation, 5-6-78)
Vi Hilbert’s Career
In response to a question about how she became a storyteller, Vi describes her personal and professional journey from the world of secretarial work to her life’s work as educator, storyteller, and elder dedicated to the revival of Lushootseed language and culture. (Videorecording by Padma Guidi, The Evergreen State College, 8-15-93)

ADDED CONTENT

Grandmother Project
Vi Hilbert discusses her people, culture, and the history behind photographs that she displays. Videotaped over a two-year period by Zahir Zalmai, Vi Hilbert's Lushootseed language student of 18 years. The Grandmother Video Project is divided into four parts: 1. Traveling by water -- 2. The language of the First People; 3. The importance of stories; 4. A view into Lushootseed life.
Learning Lushootseed
An informational video on the Lushootseed language and the culture of the Skagit people. Written and presented by Vi Hilbert. Directed by Dorothea Kopta.

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