| Folk Arts - Master Artist - Sara PetersonSara Peterson is an active member of the Lower Similkameen Indian Band, teaching the nselxcin language, traditional tribal stories, and ancient traditions. Sarah lives on the Lower Similkameen Indian Reserve in Keremeos, British Columbia. Sarah learned the traditions and language of her ancestors from her grandparents and grew up practicing ancient traditions in her daily life. Sara’s grandparents were active in community hunts, feasts, and dances. They taught Sara how to gather traditional foods, traditional hunting methods, traditional feast ceremonies and preparations, and dances.
There are hundreds of Salish stories by which children and adults are taught the truths and strengths of the tribe. Sarah Peterson learned many traditional stories in the nselxcin language from her family. Sara helps continue the history of oral tradition by teaching others the tribe’s stories and legends.
LaRae Wiley currently lives in Chewelah, Washington and is a member of the Colville Confederated Tribes Lakes Band. LaRae is an accomplished solo-vocalist who has produced two albums on her own label, Humming Tree Productions. LaRae has also performed in numerous area venues, including Seattle’s Northwest Folklife Festival. LaRae has also studied Coyote tales with elder Ann McCrea at the Spokane Tribal College. In the summer of 2003 LaRae took a position as an intern with the Colville Confederated tribes. LaRae was unfamiliar with the nselxin language before her apprenticeship with Sara Peterson, and her volunteer experience at the Salish language program for the Spokane Tribe in 2002. While working in Omak, LaRae met Sarah Peterson and began studying with her. In fall of 2003 Sarah and LaRae told stories in nselxin and English at First Night Spokane (New Years Eve festival of the arts). Sarah believes that LaRae has all the skills needed to learn the stories of their shared culture and to share these stories with others. |