Storyteller Depicts Native American Culture, History
Internationally acclaimed storyteller Neeake, granted the title of
“Olammapise,” or “truth teller,” by the Shawandasse Nishnabe People,
transports audiences back in time to better understand a vibrant
culture that still exists today.
Neeake, whose English name is Fred A. Shaw, presents “Stories Old Upon
the Land” at 8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 11 at the Remick Heritage Center at
Alma College. Tickets are $10 for adults and free for Alma College
staff, students and youth 18 and under.
Seating is reserved. Call (989) 463-7304 for ticket information.
Shaw, a native of Zanesville, Ohio, depicts the 1789 era of the Shawnee
People in clothing, paint and accouterments. He tells stories about the
Shawnee Nation and about the interconnectedness of the world, nature
and all people. His stories include history, music, humor, cultural
perspectives, words as art, ecology and spirituality.
“The stories are an oral tradition that has been handed down from one
generation to the next for centuries,” he says. “They touch all of the
disciplines of education and are a powerful way to share the insights
of the circle that is life with children and adults.”
In addition to being a featured storyteller at national storytelling
celebrations, Shaw has spoken before many elementary, middle and high
schools; universities and colleges; wildlife conservation groups;
churches and synagogues; historical societies; and museums and
foundations.
He was one of 10 American Indian storytellers invited to participate in
the first-ever National Native American Indian storytelling festival at
Corn Island.
He also has worked with the Cincinnati Zoo for many years in the
Wildlife Discovery Days event, which provides wildlife and
environmental education for thousands of children. He has spoken on
Thane Maynard’s “Ninety Second Naturalist” and other programs on Public
Radio.
In addition, Shaw is a Rocky Mountain and Grand Canyon backpack trip
leader who shares the natural world with small groups in the
wilderness.
Shaw is the author of Brothers of the Wind, which tells the
story of two cheetah brothers through text and photography. Proceeds
from the book benefit the Angel Fund for cheetah preservation of the
Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens.
Neeake, whose name means “He-Talks-as-He Flies” or the Canada Goose, is
a graduate of Ohio University. He holds a master of divinity degree
from the Methodist Theological School in Ohio and is the senior pastor
of the Oxford United Methodist Church in Oxford, Ohio.
Posted: Mon, December 31st, 2007 at 10:27AM
