The Healing Heart of the First People of This Land
Concert and Film Screening

Join us for a FREE concert celebrating the healing vision of Vi taqᵂšəblu Hilbert. We are excited for the upcoming event at Benaroya Hall on Friday, March 7th, at 7:30 p.m.

Questions? Email lapoint1@seattleu.edu

  • WHEN:
    March 7th, 2025 | 7:30pm

  • WHERE:
    Benaroya Hall  |  200 University St, Seattle, WA 98101

About the Concert and Film Screening

Don’t miss this extraordinary evening of music and film featuring Bruce Ruddell’s Healing Heart of the First People of This Land. This powerful, 50-minute work was commissioned by Upper Skagit elder Vi taqʷšəblu Hilbert shortly after the 9/11 terrorist attacks as a vehicle for, in Hilbert’s words, “bringing healing to a sick world.” Premiered by the Seattle Symphony in 2006, the piece draws inspiration from two sacred Coast Salish songs Hilbert had entrusted to the composer and features a number of percussion instruments native to this region.

  • There will be a pre-concert book reading by Sasha taqʷšəblu LaPointe – https://sasha-lapointe.com/

  • Visual displays on the History of the Lushootseed language will be showcased.
  • Video archive of Vi taqʷšəblu Hilbert storytelling in Lushootseed will be showcased.
  • Third Place Books will be present with a booth of books by Sasha LaPointe and others on the Lushootseed language and Vi Hilbert.
  • Partners tabling in the lobby like Lushootseed Research and others.