The Evergreen State College
2700 Evergreen Parkway NW
Olympia , WA 98505
<<press release>> For immediate release, May 8, 2006
Contact: Hirsh Diamant (360) 867-6736
Rebecca Chamberlain (360) 866-2141
Spring Star Stories—Stories & Songs of Puget Sound
Prominent Native American storytellers and musicians, Johnny Moses and Pauline Hillaire, will share stories and songs of Puget Sound at The Evergreen State College, South Puget Sound Community College , and Squaxin Tribal Museum . This rare opportunity to see Johnny and Pauline is part of the “Spring Star Stories” liberal arts series that includes topics such as: a sense of place and season, plants and healing, environmental studies and awareness, education, traditional arts, ethno-poetics, indigenous political and social issues, and cultural diversity. It is an honor to have two such distinguished storytellers and musicians share their work in the Olympia community.
Johnny Moses and Pauline Hillaire will be at The Evergreen Sate College:
--Tuesday, May 16th, 6:00-8:00pm , Seminar II, D1105
Topic: "Spring Star Songs and Stories"
--Wednesday, May 17th, 6:00-9:00pm , The Longhouse
Topic: "Healing Plants and Humans," Spring Liberal Arts Forum
Admission to both events is free.
Events are sponsored by Evergreen Academic Programs, Longhouse, Academic Deans, the President’s Diversity Fund, and Chinese Language and Cultural Research.
For more information, call Hirsh Diamant (360) 867-6736, or Rebecca Chamberlain (360) 866-2141
Johnny Moses and Pauline Hilliare will also be at the following venues:
--Wednesday, May 17th, 11:30am , Squaxin Island Museum
Admission $5.00
Topic: "Stories and Songs of Puget Sound "
For more information, call Ruth Whitener at (360)432-3841
--Thursday, May 18th, 9:00am , South Puget Sound Community College , Building 22, room 131,
and 12 noon , Student Union Building by the Welcoming Pole
Admission is free
Topic: "Cultural Teachings of the Earth"
For more information, call Dale Croes at (360) 596-5336
Pauline (Skalla: Of the Killer Whale) isa Salish musician, storyteller, cultural historian, basket-weaver, and great-grandmother. She comes from a prominent Lummi family; both of Pauline’s parents taught her traditional songs and games in the Lummi Language, Halkomelem, and Chinook Jargon. She is an expert in native language, song, storytelling and dance traditions. Her Father, Joe Hillaire, was recorded by Willard Rhodes in the 1950's for the Smithsonian and Library of Congress collection of music of Puget Sound . Her grandfather, Frank Hillaire, started the “Children of the Setting Sun Dance Group” and gave performances for presidents and officials in Washington D.C. and around the United States . Pauline carries on this tradition and, as the current head of the “Setting Sun Dance Group,” teaches traditional songs and stories to children and members of the Lummi tribe, and gives performances at major venues throughout the Northwest and United States . Recognized as one of the pillars of Indian culture by the Seattle Art Museum , Pauline is a prominent educator and has worked on numerous educational grants and symposiums, including residencies and curriculum in Native song & storytelling traditions for Northwest Folklife , the Washington State Arts Commission, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, The Evergreen Center for Educational Improvement, and the Heritage Institute. She is a featured artist in “Sharing the Circle: A Resource Guide on Native American Music of Washington State, and Spirit of the First People: Native American Music Traditions of Washington State . Pauline has a long history with The Evergreen community, and was influential in supporting the development of the American Indian Studies Program and Longhouse at The Evergreen State College.
Johnny Moses-Wisteminee ; Walking Medicine Robe.
Johnny Moses is a master storyteller, singer, and cultural teacher. Beloved by audiences throughout Puget Sound and the United States , he delights groups of all ages and backgrounds. Johnny travels to traditional gatherings in native communities as well as sharing his knowledge with people throughout the United States and Canada . He is the founder of “The Red Cedar Circle.” Trained by his grandparents, he carries the teachings, stories, songs, and dances of several Northwest Tribes.
Johnny is highly acclaimed by local and national storytelling associations. He was recognized as one of the finest contemporary storytellers in the United States , and was one of a select group of artists to be video-taped for a National storytelling series. Johnny has an impeccable memory for epic stories and songs, and has been recorded as part of a Native American Music project by Loren Olsen at Eastern Washington State University , as well as projects at the University of Washington , and other institutions. A gifted performer and teacher, he has worked for numerous schools and organizations, and has developed residencies and curriculum in Native song & storytelling traditions for Northwest Folklife, the Washington State Arts Commission, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, and the Evergreen Center for Educational Improvement. He is a featured artist in “Sharing the Circle: A Resource Guide on Native American Music of Washington State, and Spirit of the First People: Native American Music Traditions of Washington State.
We have listened to the songs of the world around us. When we hear the sound of the cedar branches moving in the wind, we hear a song. These songs have been sung since the beginning of time.
Pauline Hillaire , Lummi
"Hoh oh oh ay,
hoh oh oh ay. "
These are the first sounds that the children of the mother cedar tree made when they were playing. When we sing this song, we're thanking the cedar tree.
Johnny Moses, Swinomish
