In November of 2019, the world lost a great light. Agnes Baker Pilgrim – one of the 13 Indigenous Grandmothers and the oldest surviving elder of the Takelma people in Southern Oregon – passed from this life at age 95. She is part of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz.
Having worked with storyteller Thomas Doty and Author / curriculum developer Tish McFadden, Agnes Baker Pilgrim – fondly known as Grandma Aggie – I learned what a great positive influence she has been. Whether on the world stage, Sacred Salmon Ceremony, or her family, Grandma Aggie was a major, loving force for good in the world.
I feel motivated to produce a tribute to Grandma Aggie for Rogue Valley Voices. Production will take place with Thomas Doty and Tish McFadden on February 22, 2020 at the SOU Digital Media Center. The program should appear soon after on RVTV and it will also be available from achieve.org. I’ll produce the tribute under my Adventures in Education series.
I hope people will watch and learn about this incredible elder.
–Producer John Letz