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 spoke Lushootseed with each other and their social circle, which motivated young Hilbert to start learning the language. Her father was a fisherman, logger, and canoe maker, whose canoe is preserved in the Smithsonian Museum Archive. The family's frequent relocations led to Hilbert attending 15 different schools.