Notes: The Ancient Wild Lecture

Introduction

• The speaker is from Bellingham, Washington, the ancestral homeland of the Lummi Nation.
• The area, historically rich in wildlife like grizzly bears, eagles, orcas, and salmon.
• Imagines past scenes of the Lummi paddling in dugout canoes.

Lummi Nation and Storytelling

• The Lummi have a tradition of storytelling that dates back thousands of years.
• Stories are crucial and sacred in Lummi culture, serving as a way to preserve history and identity.

Creation Story

• Lisa Wilson, a Lummi member, recounts a vital creation story.
• Story Essence:
  • Warned of an impending flood, the Lummi built canoes to preserve their future.
  • After the flood, they re-established their communities, emphasizing unity and identity through shared history.
  • Different communities formed but retained a common suffix "-ish" to signify their origins as survivors.

Lummi as Environmentalists

• Known as natural environmentalists, the Lummi are deeply connected to their environment.
• Their lifestyle and survival are closely linked with natural elements like water and salmon.

Cultural Preservation

• Darrell Hillaire, a Lummi elder, emphasizes keeping stories alive to preserve culture.
• The Lummi historical livelihood was disrupted by settlers.

Haytaluk's Legacy

• Darrell’s great grandfather, Haytaluk, resisted cultural erosion by creating a storytelling and dance group.
• Named "The Children of the Setting Sun," they traveled to share Lummi culture through performance.

Modern Cultural Revival

• Storytelling continues with Darrell and others.
• Emphasis on self-determination, environmental protection, and reconnecting with native traditions.
• Recent efforts include teaching children their culture from an early age and restoring family structures.

Power of Stories

• Stories are a way to reclaim history and strengthen cultural identity.
• The Lummi's storytelling tradition serves as a defense of their culture and environment.

Closing

• The episode is part of "THE WILD" by KUOW, with a focus on wildlife and cultural storytelling.
• Encourages following on social media for more related content.