ST. GEORGE — The historic Pioneer Courthouse is opening its doors to different groups to preserve and share their histories. A series of activities and guest speakers are starting up again after a hiatus due to the pandemic.
“We’re trying to let people know about us and we do have that room up there for any activities. That might be helping preserve their heritage, and to preserve our history,” Jeanine Vander Bruggen, Pioneer Courthouse coordinator, said.
Recently the Paiute Band of Utah and a member of the Ute tribe performed ceremonial drum songs in the event room upstairs in the courthouse. A winter storm prevented the flute players and dancers from Cedar City from performing as well. They will schedule another program in 2022.
The audience was asked not to record the performance by Glenn Rogers, a member of the Shivwits Band of Paiutes. When attending a Native American program performers ask people to enjoy being in the moment and to respect their culture.
“We want to keep it here, and where people don’t use it for their own benefit. That’s just how it was with the elders, the old people, that’s what they told us, to not have those sensitive songs recorded,” Rogers said.
Rogers sang traditional songs in the Paiute language and played his hand drum. He said drums are one of the Native Americans’ main instruments. The drums are made from different types of hides such as deer, elk, buffalo and cow.
“The drum is a living thing, and the hide came from a living thing. And the wood is also a living thing,” Rogers said. “And it came from the rain; the water is the giver of life and a taker of life. And the rain has to fall on these trees to make it grow. And that does the same thing with the animals, they need to drink the water and they need to eat the food or the grass in order for them to exist. So that’s how we look at the drum.”
In January 2022, the courthouse will be a stop on The Arts to Zion Studio Tour. The tour is a self-guided art adventure of artists’ studios, art galleries and museums. Attendees can visit art and, in some places, watch the process of artists creating their pieces. There will also be more live music added to the program, according to the tour’s website.
“We will be having art pieces up in the courtroom,” Vander Bruggen said. “There will be an artist. There is probably going to be some music during that time. It’s a big deal for the arts community. And we’re supporting that 100 percent.”
The series of events and speakers will focus on St. George and Washington County. The courthouse is owned by the City of St. George.
“We’re trying to give people the opportunity to share their talents with us,” Vander Bruggen said. “It’s been a variety of music. We have so much talent in St. George in the surrounding area. We want to give people an opportunity to share with us and encourage people to prepare a bit of history about the music they will perform.”
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