Burke Museum farewells Eternal Thread exhibition
A personal report from Erin Younger, Associate Director, Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture to Te Roopu Raranga Whatu o Aotearoa.
Wednesday, 31 May 2006
Hello everyone,
I want to report briefly on the wonderful farewell event that took place here at the Burke yesterday afternoon at 4 pm. As noted earlier, Christina Wirihana participated, as did a group from Suquamish, put together by Bennie Armstrong (including Barb Santos)--our two wonderful guides.
In all there were 11 from Suquamish, including the little ones you can see in the pictures. You'll see that Julie Stein, Burke Museum director, wore the cloak which Christina tied on her.
It was a very nice event, with meaningful introduction and song from Christina, words from Bennie and five or so songs and dances from their group.
We had about 25 people come to specifically bid farewell: some Burke staff, Jeanette Mills, several museum board members, several from the Christchurch Sister City Association (including John and Eve Bollard - who just returned from NZ and were so happy to finally see the show), Tina Kuckkahn from Evergreen, Senator Ken Jacobsen (whose wife Rachel is a Kiwi), 'Iwalani and several members from her halau (pictured) and a few others.
We will miss sharing your treasures at the Burke, but remain honored and enlightened that you entrusted them to us. We will now begin the slow and careful process of packing the pieces up for their next journey, and will send them on their way with respect and good wishes.
All the best to all of you.
Erin Younger
Associate Director
Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture
University of Washington
To view images from the farewell, please click here:
farewell_images