LAPUSH — About 15 representatives of the Quileute tribe will attend the Los Angeles premiere of “The Twilight Saga: Eclipse” on Thursday.
The five-member council was invited to bring a guest as well as a student from the Quileute Tribal School.
However, Chairwoman Anna Rose Counsell-Geyer decided to give up her tickets to allow other members to attend the swanky event that will unveil the latest movie in the “Twilight” blockbuster series.
Although not one frame of film has been shot on the West End — where author Stephenie Myers sets her best-selling series of Twilight novels — the premiere of each film has been big news on the North Olympic Peninsula.
“As the chairwoman of the Quileute tribe, I am honored and excited for my council and their chosen guests,” Counsell Geyer said.
“As the days are getting closer, Taegan [Geyer’s daughter] and I are very happy that another mother-daughter [Dawn Bender and her daughter, Stephanie] will share the experience and excitement that we felt at last year’s event.
“Taegan is truly excited for Stephanie. The movie will be such a hit that this phenomenon is going to be bigger than the last couple of years.”
The third ticket was bestowed on Leticia Jaime, a 2009 graduate of the tribal school and current transportation coordinator for the tribe.
Jaime, who is married to Rio Jaime and mother to 9-month-old Donna Mae, said she and the others will leave Wednesday for the festivities.
“I’m honored, and it is such a privilege to go to the . . . premiere representing the Quileute nation,” she said.
“I am very fortunate to carry on our traditions and society handed down throughout the generations.”
Jaime said she has been a longtime fan of the Twilight series, which was released in book form beginning in 2005.
The original book has stayed in the top 150 best-sellers since August 2006, according to USA Today, and its sequels, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn, subsequently joined it on the list.
A short novella released early this month, The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner, is currently the No. 1 best-seller on USA Today’s list.
The first movie “Twilight,” filmed in Oregon and Southern Washington, was released in November 2008.
“New Moon,” released in November 2009, and “Eclipse” will officially be in theaters June 30. Both were filmed in British Columbia.
The movie-version of “Breaking Dawn” is still in negotiations.
The stories tell the tale of vampire Edward Cullen, his human girlfriend, Bella Swan, and his rival for Bella’s heart, teen werewolf Jacob Black.
Black, along with the rest of the “wolf pack,” developed in order to protect the Quileute people and other humans from the blood suckers.
Meyer drew from Quileute legends which state that the Quileute were descended from wolves, though no werewolves are present in tribal history.
Nonetheless, the Twilight saga has allowed the tribe to recall its traditions.
“I think this is a great asset for the Quileute tribe,” Jaime said.
“One of the most wonderful experiences is the healing circle every Wednesday.
“Every week we have the awesome experience to have a meet and greet with individuals who have come to take part in our culture.”
Counsell-Geyer said she, too, is looking forward to what “Eclipse” has to offer.
“The movie provides insight to the sacredness of tribal meetings, cultural and traditions,” she said.
“It is my hope that this trip will be a joyous trip.”
Jaime was Miss Quileute in 2006 and said she gleaned mountains of information from elders in the tribe and also speaks the Quileute language.
“After that experience, I want to see their perspective of it,” she said.
__________
Reporter Paige Dickerson can be reached at 360-417-3535 or at paige.dickerson@peninsuladailynews.com.
