Sacred Breath: Indigenous Writing and Storytelling Series

View Recording from November 18, 2021

The Department of American Indian Studies at the University of Washington hosts an annual literary and storytelling series. Sacred Breath features Indigenous writers and storytellers sharing their craft and their expertise. Storytelling offers a spiritual connection, a sharing of sacred breath. Literature, similarly, preserves human experience and ideals. Both forms are durable and transmit power that teaches us how to live. Both storytelling and reading aloud can impact audiences through the power of presence, allowing for the experience of the transfer of sacred breath as audiences are immersed in the experience of being inside stories and works of literature.

Missed it?

Watch the full event recording of Sacred Breath from November 23rd, 2020. This event featured author Emma Elliott-Groves (Cowichan), and storyteller Huyamise' Della Rice-Sylvester (Cowichan). You can view the full evening recording on Zoom with live transcription and the chat messages (for the next 90 days) or any time on YouTube. Feel free to share with the whole family. 

ABOUT THE ARTISTS

Huyamise', Della Rice-Sylvester is a traditional medicine woman from Cowichan Tribes on Vancouver Island. Della has been studying the medicinal uses of plants all her life. She is retired and makes her living giving lectures, workshops, and nature walks. Della has vast knowledge of Pacific Northwest plants and their medicinal and ceremonial uses. She is familiar with plant identification, the traditional stories associated with each, cultural protocols, and how to make medicine salves. A dynamic presenter, Della works with learners of all ages and engages audiences with songs, stories, prayer, humor, and traditional ecological knowledge.

Emma Elliott-Groves (Cowichan Tribes) is a UW assistant professor in the department of Learning Sciences and Human Development, holding a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology and a Master of Social Work with Children, Youth, and Families, and affiliate faculty with the College of Education’s Banks Center for Educational Justice. Much of Emma’s journey centers on understanding the meanings and explanations of suicidal behavior from the perspective of Indigenous peoples. Emma partnered with her home community to design opportunities to strengthen the physical, mental, intellectual, and cultural health by engaging Indigenous and place-based knowledges and practices to collaboratively develop Intergenerational Community teachings and learnings.

Can't get enough? View our events from last year.

Watch the full event recording of Sacred Breath from November 23rd, 2020. This event featured authors Traci Sorell (Cherokee), Michelle M. Jacob (Yakama), and storyteller Fern Renville (Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate).

Watch the full event recording of Sacred Breath from May 17th, 2021. This event featured children's book author Christine Day (Upper Skagit) and Jessica Dominy (Tlingit and Haida).

Do you love Sacred Breath and want to see more? Donate to our Friends of American Indian Studies fund to help us support indigenous authors and storytellers and bring you more amazing works.

Read about Sacred Breath in the A&S Perspectives newsletter.

These events are free and open to the public, but registration is required, as space is limited. wǝɫǝbʔaltxʷ – Intellectual House is located at 4249 Whitman Court, Seattle, WA.

Sacred Breath is sponsored by the Department of American Indian Studies, the Intellectual House Academic Programming Committee, the Center for American Indian and Indigenous Studies, the UW Department of English, the Banks Center for Educational Justice, the Squaxin Island Tribe, and the Suquamish Tribe.