Folk Arts - Master Artist - Pauline Hillaire

Pauline Hillaire. Photo by Fritz Dent.

Dances, songs and legends carry knowledge of the rich historical tradition of the Native American Coast Salish cultures. Performing them is vital to keeping the culture alive. The Setting Sun Dancers, a Lummi group, are dedicated to exactly that—preservation. Director of the group, Pauline Hillaire, is a member of the Lummi tribe and has been a part of the tradition all her life. Her grandfather was the creator of the Setting Sun Dancers, and her father and uncle held the directorship before her. As a child, Hillaire was sent by her mother, Edna Price Hillaire Scott, to various elders within her tribe to learn the songs, stories, and dances which reflected her family’s and her tribe’s value system. Her mother sent her to stay with these instructors for weeks at a time, until Hillaire learned whatever tradition that particular elder had to teach her.

In the Lummi tradition, family ties and tribal ties are equivalent, so that family stories, songs, and dance are therefore tribal stories, songs, and dance. Hillaire regards the traditions she has taught Moore as a tool by which Native Americans at large can enter or re-enter their culture-- a basic but fundamental element that generates interest in people about their own roots. This code of values addresses problems that Native American youth face, such as drugs, alcohol, and gangs, by providing its followers with an identity and a blueprint for living with integrity which one finds in an ancient value system.

As a recipient of a 1992 Apprenticeship grant, Hillaire taught her sixteen-year-old grandson, Ben Moore, traditional Lummi songs, dances, stories, and legends, as well as art forms such as carving and basketry. Moore studied them as they relate to four ideas: Land, Work, Exchange, and Other, encompassing miscellaneous ideals. Moore learned techniques of introduction (how one might introduce oneself to another), song and dance presentation, ceremonial farewell, and ceremonial witness. Moore learned, in a sense, formal customs of Lummi etiquette. These customs were familiar to Moore. He has always taken a great interest in this way of life that he was raised in and witnessed between his grandmother and other elders. Moore has been active in tribal activities. He learned carving from tribal elders and has danced in a tribal dance group since the age of seven. This apprenticeship has provided him the inspiration to pursue his roots with more depth. Ben has also been involved in traditional ceremonies all his life. Trained in songs and stories by the Setting Sun Dancers since he was six, Ben is now ready to assume a leadership role.

As a recipient of a 1996 Apprenticeship grant, Hillaire continued to teach her grandson, Ben More, traditional Lummi songs, dances, stories, and legends, as well as art forms such as carving and basketry.

Hillaire received Washington State's highest artistic honor in 1996 as the recipient of a Governor's Heritage Award.

As a recipient of a 1997 Apprenticeship grant, Hillaire continued to teach her grandson songs and stories and ceremonies. Hillaire focused her teachings to the First Salmon Ceremony, a Naming Ceremony, and a Blessing Ceremony. Ben learned to coordinate presenters, convey tradition, relate messages accurately, how to plan and carry out each ceremony, and be able to apply the lessons of the elders to his life and community.

With Ben’s help, Pauline will reach as many schools, libraries, museums, and other teaching facilities to demonstrate the celebratory aspects of Pacific Northwest Native Americans. Ben will be asked to plan, coordinate, and facilitate a Hillaire family Naming Ceremony and a First Salmon Ceremony. Once trained, Ben will be called on not only by the Lummi, but also by other tribes. He will assist and eventually fully coordinate ceremonies. He will carry the art form on to the next generation, some day teaching pupils of his own the traditions handed down to him.