"So We Can Remember". Hibulb Cultural Center


           
           There are many ways to protect the memories about the civilizations that lived thousands of years ago. The power of human language preserved the myths and stories that could be studied by the next generations and the artifacts and old photos supplement the knowledge of the past times. The Hibulb Cultural Center & Natural History Preserve established the space for the memories about those who were the part in creation of the Native American history. According to the Center’s web site “the mission (of the Center) is to revive, restore, protect, interpret, collect and enhance the history, traditional cultural values and spiritual beliefs of the Tulalip Tribes” (as cited in  https://www.hibulbculturalcenter.org
           
Early Tulalip automobiles presented by Hibulb Cultural Center near Maryville, Washington – more than a museum!

   
            The old photos carry the history of the ancestors of Tulalip Tribes and became the treasure for those who try to cultivate the memories of their grandparents, uncles, aunts and relatives. On the picture above there is William Robert Sheldon on his farm during his stepfather’s Charles Sese Sr. funeral. The Education Curator, Lena Jones, in the short video states that “In the early days not many photos were taken in the reservation, so every picture is special”.



Image result for tulalip tribes baskets
                                            
            Fascinating are the stories that can be found on the web site, stories that convey the important messages. One of them is the tale “Her First Basket” that describes the story of the little girl who was different than the other children. However, despite her unlikeness she was not left alone but taught by the old and wise tree to make something that would benefit the people from her village, the basket. The important value that is hidden in this story “we uphold and follow the teachings that come from our ancestors” as cited in www.hibulbculturalcenter.org/Storytelling/Value-2/) is upheld by Tessa Campbell, who in the short video presents the baskets that were once hand made by her ancestors and now “hold precious memory”.

            The Hibulb Cultural Center web site is a wonderful source of information for people who would like to learn more about the culture that settled in American land thousands of years ago. I am really impressed, while exploring the site, with the variety of information provided by the Center and the deep respect and determination of people presenting this information to cultivate the history, and cultural heritage of their ancestors.  

            Hilbub Cultural Center & Natural History Preserve Retrieved from: www.hibulbculturalcenter.org

           

Comments

  1. UnknownOctober 12, 2018 at 8:17 AM

    This is a very interesting website with many features. Their dedication reads: “The Hibulb Cultural Center and Natural History Preserve is dedicated to those who have gone home before us and to those who have remained to keep the fires burning” (cited from https://www.hibulbculturalcenter.org).
    Their section on “Warriors: We Remember” bears this out. They remember the warrior spirit of the Tulalip Tribes that helped protect their families and territory in the past, but they also cite the fact that the same warrior spirit compelled their men and women to become a part of the United States Armed Forces.
    I love stories and “The Story of the Salmon Ceremony” was one with a lesson from the past but one that resonates today. It tells of the importance of the salmon to the tribe and how when they failed to respect the salmon and to clean the river before they arrived the supply dwindled. They were in danger of starving. We can take that lesson and apply it to today; when if we do not respect and “clean” the earth we will be in danger of losing it. https://www.hibulbculturalcenter.org/Storytelling/Value-4

    Hilbub Cultural Center & Natural History Preserve Retrieved from: www.hibulbculturalcenter.org October 12, 2008



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  2. CKaneOctober 12, 2018 at 10:18 AM

    I did the same website, it has so many different features and a lot of information. I was very intrigued about different things and all the pictures. Showing how respectful they are to the land, rivers all around; knowing they have to give back to the earth in order to receive anything from it.

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  3. UnknownOctober 25, 2018 at 2:07 PM

    This website is a treasure trove of information. The benefit of compiling information in this manner is that if one of these tribes fades from existence, their memory and language will at least be preserved. I have found that there have been many tribes that have either been completely eradicated or their culture was changed so much that they no longer speak their original language.

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