Spirit of the First People
Subtitle: Native American Music Traditions of Washington State
Contributors: Willie Smyth (Editor); Esme Ryan (Editor)
Publisher: University of Washington Press; published for Jack Straw Productions, Northwest Folklife, Washington State Arts Commission by the University of Washington Press
Published: June 1999
Language: eng
Format: Paperback
Number of pages: 201
ISBN-13: 9780295977324
Subjects: Cultural studies; Customs; Folk music; USA; Ethnic Studies - Native American Studies; Ethnomusicology; Music; Ethnic Issues; History and criticism; Indians of North America; Washington (State)
Description: This book and an accompanying compact disk offer a rare glimpse into Native American sacred traditions of song and dance. Arising from a unique exhibit and live performance at the Northwest Folklife Festival, Spirit of the First People is a collection of personal narratives, stories, and essays on the music of the First People in the region that now encompasses Washington State.

From tribe to tribe and reservation to reservation across the state, a wide range of musical genres and individual styles have developed, including social dance songs, game songs, and hymns.

Skagit elder Vi Hilbert, a principal adviser on the community council and the one who gave the book its name, introduces the collection. Contributors include Bruce-subiyay Miller (Skokomish), Cliff Sijohn (Spokane, Coeur d'Alene), Jeanette Timentwa (Okanogan) and Rebecca Chamberlain, Virginia Beavert-Martin (Yakima), Brycene Neaman (Yakama), Linda Goodman and Helma Swan (Makah), Loran Olsen, and Willie Smyth.