Vi Hilbert upheld the Lushootseed language (Coast Salish language from Puget Sound areas) as the last fluent speaker and elder of the Upper Skagit tribe. She told stories of and with this language for many decades. She taught at the University of Washington these skills from 1972 to 1987. A documentary featuring Vi Hilbert called Huchoosedah: Traditions of the Heart aired in 1996.
She set up a research archive around the Lushootseed culture that was considered a reawakening. Vi advised on the first Lushootseed dictionary and then co-authored second Lushootseed dictionary.
For over 40 years, she collected and preserved cultural artifacts including an over 200-year-old basket collection. She donated this cherished collection to IslandWood. She shared that she may not live to be 200 though these baskets have that came from several tribes: Skagit, Klickitat, Yakama, Okanagon, Suquamish, Tulalip, Skokomish, Quinalt, Nisqually and Tlingit.
As for her childhood, Vi’s family moved so much that she attended 15 different schools. Vi had many jobs as opportunities came from fruit picking to ironing to being an electric welder. Eventually, she found her calling as celebrating the Lushootseed culture with many stories collected and presented bilingually. She received the National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment of the Arts. Yet, she loved most that people referred to her as Mother Vi, Auntie Vi and Grandmother Vi.
May we honor her in such a way!
The following film includes many people including Vi Hilbert. Her part starts at 13:13.
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You can see more details on Vi Hilbert with the Story Artists Memorial.
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I appreciate Vi Hilbert for realizing the importance of preserving her language and guiding and teaching many people so that the stories and culture could remain with us today. Even when hearing or seeing another language that we do not understand its inner workings or context, we can still gain appreciation and enjoy its beauty. Vi was instrumental in working with people from publishing companies, universities, and museums. Let us all work so deeply and persistently.
Vi Hilbert still has a story. You have a story. We all have stories.