In memoriam Vi Hilbert
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Vi Hilbert, a fluent speaker of Lushootseed, the native language of the Puget Sound area, known for her dedication to her language and culture, passed away Friday. She taught courses in Lushootseed at the University of Washington, founded Lushootseed Research, and wrote extensively. Her work includes: Lushootseed Texts, Lushootseed Dictionary, and Haboo: Native American Stories from Puget Sound. She was the recipient of a Festschrift: Writings About Vi Hilbert, By Her Friends.
Ryan Denzer-King said,
December 21, 2008 @ 1:53 am
I just saw this on ILAT, and was greatly saddened. What a marvelous proponent of the Lushootseed language.
Almataina said,
December 21, 2008 @ 4:13 am
I just got an e-mail notifying me of her passing… I met her about 10 years ago and last saw her at a storytelling engagement at Bellevue Community College about 6 years ago. She was a lovely human being. A pillar of her community, a great defender of her culture and heritage. She will be missed.
Mark said,
December 21, 2008 @ 8:52 am
Vi Hilbert was also a delightful and outgoing person, well known in Seattle for her many public appearances to tell traditional Salish stories in a mix of English and Lushootseed. (In response to this, if she were here, you'd be saying "Haboo!", which is Lushootseed for something like "Do tell!" or "Amen!")
Richard Markishtum, a Makah elder of my acquaintance, who knew Vi fairly well, told me this past summer that Vi was saying she was tired now and ready to go. (Haboo!)
But, although she's now gone, because of her many years of painstaking work to preserve and pass on the Lushootseed language, and her tribal traditions, she'll live on for decades or even centuries to come. (Haboo!)
Bill Poser said,
December 21, 2008 @ 12:24 pm
Her ability to carry on was really amazing. At the Salishan conference about ten years ago, already advanced in age and as I recall nearly blind, she chaired a session that began around 10:00 a.m. and was expected to finish in time for lunch. Lots of people had something to say, so she kept it going until around 3:00 p.m. People were getting tired and hungry, but she said: "We Lushootseed people don't quit until the job is finished."
Benjamin Lukoff said,
December 21, 2008 @ 1:40 pm
This is indeed sad. A great loss for all of us, especially those in the Puget Sound area.
Nick Pharris said,
December 21, 2008 @ 3:10 pm
Saw this in the Seattle Times this morning. Very sad.
Vashti said,
December 24, 2008 @ 9:39 am
i am deeply sadned for which Vi is my Great grandpa James Enicks favorite cousin, i met her about two years ago at my uncles chief celebration, she's done so much in this time her teaching will live on…she will always be missed and never forgotten
Vashti said,
December 24, 2008 @ 9:40 am
pass on this information please and thank you
Friday, Dec.26, 2008
3:00pm: Arrive at Upper Skagit Gymnasium
Doby Tom family will sing Vi in
John Cayou, Jr Opening Prayer
Viewing
Open Floor for sharing stories about Vi
5:00pm: Dinner
6:00pm: Social hour
7:00pm: All Denominational Prayer service
9:00pm: End
Saturday, Dec. 27, 2008
10:00am: Funeral Service Conducted by John Cayou, Jr. Shaker Minister
12:00pm: Lunch
1:30pm: Family Giveaway
This is all tentative but the family wanted everyone to have an idea about the tentative schedule. The start times are set, this information wasn’t included in the obituary notice.
Information provided by:
Brian Cladoosby Chair Swinomish
Charlene Krise said,
December 27, 2008 @ 12:02 pm
Vi Hilberts' cultural family is extensive to the South Sound region of the Medicine Creek Nation and to the Squaxin Island Tribe. She gifted the name of "Kwuh-Deegs-Altxw" (Home of Sacred Belongings) to the Squaxin Island Museum Library Research Center and was an important part of our tribal cultural resurgance of Lushootseed language. Her spirit will continue to be with us and she will never be forgotten.
Jerry Wennstrom said,
December 28, 2008 @ 1:05 pm
Here are some wonderful pictures of Vi Hilbert telling stories at an event we did last year called "The Light that Never Dims"
http://handsofalchemy.blogspot.com/search/label/PICTURES%20OF%20LIFE
Jerry
Cadisquedub said,
December 29, 2008 @ 1:02 pm
I was honored by this woman countless times. My beloved hero thank-you for your guidance that you have left me for my own path.
bre hilbert said,
January 9, 2009 @ 1:28 pm
i am a relative of vi and i think she is an insperation for many. She can motivate people to do something that they would have never thought they could do. i never met her but i wish that i could have. she is my great great aunt and inspired me to spread my heritage…..