Voices of a Thousand People: The Makah Cultural and Research Center

Description

This is the story of one Native community’s decades of struggle to seize control of its past and preserve this heritage for generations to come. The remote northern tip of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington is the homeland of the Makahs, who call themselves Qwidicca-atx, the People Who Live by the Rocks and Seagulls. Rich in ceremony, art, and tradition and nationally known for their revival of a whale hunting ceremony, the Makah people have been particularly concerned about revitalising their traditional culture and have made great strides teaching new generations the original language and the older traditions. Their efforts gained momentum with the opening of the Makah Cultural and Research Center in 1979. The centre not only houses archaeological and historical collections but also sponsors important educational and linguistic programs for the Makah community. The fluency of Makah children in their native tongue has skyrocketed, and Makah culture and language classes have been institutionalised in the reservation’s school system.