Her parents spoke Lushootseed with each other and their friends, which encouraged the young Hilbert to begin to learn the language. Her father was a fisherman, a logger, and a canoe maker, whose canoe the "Question Mark" is housed in the Smithsonian Museum Archive. The family moved frequently in search of work, which resulted in Hilbert attending 15 different schools.
Her parents conversed in Lushootseed among themselves and their acquaintances, inspiring young Hilbert to start learning the language. Her father was a fisherman, a logger, and a canoe craftsman, whose canoe the "Question Mark" is preserved in the Smithsonian Museum Archive. The family relocated frequently in pursuit of employment, leading to Hilbert attending 15 different schools.