Pacific Northwest and Hilyer Family Themes
From The Extended Group
Pacific Northwest/Hilyer Family Themes have been a salient feature of Brett gimmickry for a number of years. Examples of Cascadia-themed immersion can be seen on the part of all Hilyer family members, focusing particularly on northwest coastal indigenous themes, but also showing some reverence for political and contemporary pop-cultural traditions as well.
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Northwest Coastal Indigenous Themes
- The presence of finely crafted, cattail and reed basketry, storage devices used by peoples living in culture areas both west and east of the cascades, in the Hilyer living room
- Carved cedar sculptures in both relief form and, more noticeably, in the form of large, authentic ceremonial masks (one such mask, labelled "woman of the woods", was traced by Kevin to be in reference to the "Dzunuk'wa", a zoomorphic, supernatural being also possessing some human qualities as described in Kwakwaka'wakw oral histories, and championed by some Cryptozoologists as historical evidence for the so-called "Sasquatch")
- "Sacajawea"--the middle name of Brett's sister. Although herself a plains Shoshone, Sacajawea is a highly revered character in Pacific Northwest traditions for her co-"discovery" of the American Northwest Coast along with Merriwether Lewis and William Clark.
Political
- Judge Bruce Hilyer has resided over many important cases in the King County Superior Court.
- Rhonda Hilyer was an important lobbyist for Washington state Unions for some time, and as such maintains close relations with a number of Washington-state (as well as national) politicians.
Pop-cultural
- The Hilyers have been known to show an enthusiasm for Seattle sports teams. Evidence can be seen through Brett's nostalgia for early to mid-90s Sonics and Mariners feats, as well as the the presence of a Ray Allen bobblehead doll resting on the living room piano. Most sources are under the impression that the Seahawks Superbowl run played a significant role in Hilyer family's leisurely exploits during the first months of 2006.
- Several appearances at Seattle's "Sea-Fair".
- * Brett, a vegetarian, does not omit fish from his diet and has a distinct inclination toward smoked salmon and cream cheese, a favorite pacific northwest dish.
- Brett's infamous "Free Ballard" bumper sticker on his family's Volvo, referring of course to the heavily Scandinavian-American influenced neighborhood in North Seattle.
Other
- Brett's middle name is "Rainier", an obvious dedication to Washington's tallest mountain.
