Filming Commences for Wanapum Heritage Center Project

As part of project objectives for the new Wanapum Heritage Center, Bianca, Tom and Nick Johnson (videographer) recently drove south to interview Wanapum community members for interactive and video units within their forthcoming Center. The rusty-red basaltic beauty of the hills along the Columbia around Wanapum village were lightly furred with spring green, and the sun shone brilliantly, intermittently filtered by white clouds, (playing havoc with light levels during filming). We shared the traditional Wanapum hospitality of a supper in the longhouse with members of the Grant County PUD prior to a walkthrough, by Bianca, of exhibit design progress to date. We were mobbed by an enthusiastic younger generation, eager to participate in the running of the new Center. They are a key focus group and their ideas will be incorporated as the exhibits are developed.

We filmed interviews in the Longhouse and outside on the village site, getting fine footage of both net weaving and string making. Those Wanapum that we interviewed were generous with their time, their life stories, and their eloquence. We are honored to have a part in helping to transmit these stories and traditions, not only to Heritage Center visitors, but also to future generations of Wanapum. The oral tradition is very strong in the Wanapum community, as is the teaching and the passing on of traditional ways of living.

We thank all those who made the sessions so successful.


Bianca Message and Nick Johnson film an interview.

Tom Palfrey lines up a shot.