Vi Hilbert, revered Upper Skagit elder who preserved her native language, dies at age 90 (fwd link)

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Originally published Sunday, December 21, 2008 at 12:00 AM

Vi Hilbert, revered Upper Skagit elder who preserved her native language, dies
at age 90

An author, teacher and linguist, Vi Hilbert and her passion transformed the
language into a legacy. The revered Upper Skagit elder died of natural causes
Friday, Dec. 19, at her home in La Conner. She was 90.

By Lynda V. Mapes and Christine Willmsen
Seattle Times staff reporters

She was one woman with one mission: the preservation of her native Lushootseed
language and culture.

An author, teacher and linguist, Vi Hilbert and her passion transformed the
language into a legacy.

The revered Upper Skagit elder died of natural causes Friday, Dec. 19, at her
home in La Conner. She was 90.

"She was an inspiration to me," said her daughter, Lois Schluter of Bow, Skagit
County. "She was humble about being a carrier of the culture."

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http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2008544744_hilbert21m.html