Creation Histories

Do you know the true narratives that shape the people, animals and lands of the Coast Salish People? This episode of All My Relations explores Lushootseed creation histories as living knowledge. These stories anchor us in the past, guide us through the present, and prepare us for an uncertain future. Host Matika Wilbur (Swinomish & Tulalip) leads the conversation through the origin story of the new exhibition, Coast Salish Creation Stories, opening at Tidelands, and shares why this moment calls all of us to learn from Indigenous knowledge and come experience the show. As elders teach, “make yourself still and engage your five teachers.” With that invitation, we sit with Puyallup Tribal Language Director Amber Hayward (Puyallup and Salish) and Tidelands Assistant Curator Ashley Frantz (Makah). Amber traces how colonizers recorded Lushootseed creation histories in English, often stripping them of meaning, and how today’s language revitalization movement restores their depth, power, and accuracy. Through her teachings, we learn why these stories matter, how to listen in a good way, and what it sounds like when creation history lives in Lushootseed itself. Ashley joins the conversation to share how artists and language keepers co-created the exhibition with the Puyallup Language Department and eight other Tribal Lushootseed language departments (and Lummi), bringing creation histories into visual form through contemporary Indigenous art. The exhibition opens February 7th at 6 PM. All are welcome to the opening reception and to experience the show through July 2026. Tidelands Gallery welcomes visitors Wednesday through Sunday, 11 AM–5 PM, with full step-free access throughout the space. We can’t wait to see you, relatives. ++++ Resources Creation Stories Exhibition Opening Reception: The Puyallup Language Program +++ Credits: A/V Production by Francisco “Pancho” Sánchez Music by Mato Wayuhi Produced by Matika Wilbur Episode Artwork by Katana Sol Text us your thoughts! Support the show

You can listen to Creation Histories online on Radio and Podcast. Open the player on this page to stream the available audio.

Creation Histories is an episode from All My Relations Podcast by Matika Wilbur & Temryss Lane.

This episode is 48:28 long.

This episode was published on Jan 28, 2026.

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