Spirit of the First People

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This book and its accompanying compact disk provide a rare insight into Native American sacred traditions of song and dance, stemming from a unique exhibit and live performance at the Northwest Folklife Festival. It features personal narratives, stories, and essays on the music of the First People in the region now known as Washington State. A diverse array of musical genres and styles has emerged across various tribes and reservations, including social dance songs, game songs, and hymns. Skagit elder Vi Hilbert introduces the collection, which includes contributions from notable figures such as Bruce-Subiyay Miller, Cliff Sijohn, Jeanette Timentwa, and others. Their narratives delve into the significance of tribal music, both historically and in contemporary contexts. Roberta Haines provides historical and political background, highlighting how spiritual traditions were maintained through dance and song despite government suppression. The book also examines song traditions within the Indian Shaker Church, with insights from Pamela Amoss and James Everett Cunningham. Appendixes by Laurel Sercombe, Judith Gray, and William Seaburg detail the work of past ethnographers and current preservation efforts. This project represents a multi-year collaboration among Washington State's tribes, Jack Straw Productions, Northwest Folklife, and the Washington State Arts Commission's Folk Arts Program.