Dance Show
In 2011 we re-designed the dance presentation at Tillicum Village to ensure that visitors have a truly authentic Coast Salish Tribe experience. To do so, we worked directly with tribal members from early on in the show planning process. From the storytelling to the handmade regalia by one of the tribal elders, each element of the show is unique and true to the Coast Salish Tribes. And, for 2012 we have added another dance performance to the show to give you an even better experience!
Music and dance were important to Coast Salish celebrations. Story telling itself was an important traditional art form in Coast Salish communities. Stories were passed down through families, and could often take hours to tell. They were full of lessons about proper behavior, family connections, and relationships between the world's peoples and spirits. Lessons were hidden within the story, to be discovered by the listener. During the show you’ll see first-hand examples of storytelling combined with live dance to project the native culture as one that has thrived and will continue to thrive in the Northwest.
Tillicum Village, on Blake Island, boasts one of the most technologically-advanced stages in the Northwest. Come see live historical Native American dance combined with modern native storytelling and symbolism. This combination is the most unique and compelling native cultural experience in the United States.
The storytelling itself is done by Roger Fernandes, also known by his native name Kawasa, a member of the Lower Elwha Band of the S'Klallam Indians from the Port Angeles, Washington area. English surnames are common in the Puget Sound region and his family name is Charles. His great-grandmother was Annie Ned from Sequim, who married into the Makah tribe and moved to Neah Bay, the home of the Makah people on the northern Olympia Peninsula. He is from a family of four brothers who are all active doing various cultural things like singing, basket making, artwork and storytelling.
Today the Lower S'Klallam are at the north end of the Olympic Peninsula in Washington just north of the Olympic Mountains foothills and the shores of the Straits of San Juan De Fuca. The reservation is about ten miles outside of Port Angeles, Washington.
Roger has been storytelling for nearly ten years. The stories he started with were simple legends. Through his own interest and doors being opened by understanding those stories he moved into telling myths, creation stories, flood stories, and hero stories. In sharing these types of stories Native people can teach non-Natives about the aspects of their culture that go beyond food, shelter, and clothing. These stories actually define the culture of the tellers.
Roger is also an artist and holds a degree in art from the University of Washington. In addition, he designed the artwork on the Tillicum Village set. The Coast Salish art is quite a bit different than that of the stereotypical northwest coastal Indian art like totem poles, masks and button blankets.
Roger is involved in art organizations and initiatives by and for Native American artists. He's the Executive Director of South Wind Native Arts and Education Foundation a small grass roots non-profit and he's on the arts advisory committee for the Potlatch Fund. He has recorded a CD ‘Teachings of the First People' that shares several of the stories he tells in his performances. He won a folk life award from the Washington Arts Commission for his work in teaching about Coast Salish art. He also has a degree in Native American Studies from the Evergreen State College.
