The 'Water Spirits' of Puget Sound

Rosie Cayou brings a Native American perspective to Sound Waters with her deeply personal stories about the history and culture of the area's first peoples. "I grew up on Puget Sound with much passion for the green earth and green waters," she said. "I was born and raised on Fidalgo Island. My childhood employment was mostly on Whidbey Island, either cutting poles for the old fish trap on the Swinomish Reservation or packing cedar that my grandfather cut for building."

Cayou now works for her tribe, the Samish Nation, in Anacortes as a cultural development coordinator.

"All of my grandparents were fishermen and hunters," she said. "My grandfather Stone went to school at Penn Cove and grew up around Coupeville and Prairie Center. His homestead was behind Kennedy Lagoon on Madrona Way."

In her public appearances Cayou shares a blend of personal and tribal experiences that leave her audiences thinking in new ways about their place in the world.

"Rosie was guest speaker for our Anacortes history class," said a student who attended one of her talks in October. "She conveyed her passion for the Samish tribe and her dedication to their cultural history. Speaking to an all-white, older group, Rosie took us back in time while not losing a current perspective. She educated us softly, slipping in heartfelt and important information. While I enjoyed every bit of it, these two points stand out: telling of her grandfather's boarding school experience and singing her song. When she explained that the words of her song were a blessing for us, I did, indeed feel blessed."

At another talk, when a remark by an audience member created an awkward moment, an attendee marveled at Cayou's reaction. "Your response was full of grace and beauty," she said. "If everyone could practice disallowing the four things you and your tribe do, what a wonderful world it would be."

"I love the teaching of all the tribes to live in harmony with nature and to remember to give back to nature some of what we all so eagerly take from it," this attendee remarked. "The attitude of respect your people have for elders and ancestors is something I wish all cultures practiced."

In September, Cayou shared her heritage and her tribe's history and culture with more than 250 guests at the Coupeville Lions salmon barbecue at Coupeville Town Park. Bob Johnson, event chair, said this: "The presentation was impressive and we all learned about the Samish Nation's history in the Coupeville area and how that history can help us appreciate the native peoples. Our understanding of the relationship of the Samish to the land of Whidbey Island and its surrounding waters and salmon was increased. The audience was quiet and respectful. We hope to repeat the event next year."