I’m thrilled that you’re interested in learning more about my storytelling! Come in, sit down and learn about my experience with the art of storytelling.
About Me
Chee-la’ xwii-t’i (Hello everyone)! I am a Salt Lake City based storyteller, with roots in the Umpqua and Coquille bands of the Dan’-dee-ni’ tribe, part of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz. While I have always known about my connection to, and grown up with stories of my Indigenous ancestry, it was not always as important to me as it is now. In fact for many years I believed the stories that were subtly told to me connecting all my failings to my Indigenous side. It took me many years to really recognize what that meant, and to realize the strength I had in my ancestry. Sometime in my early 20’s, I began to actually listen to and value my people’s stories over those told by a society not built for us. I have been actively reconnecting to my people, my language, and my traditions ever since.
My Storytelling Journey
I have been passionate about stories for my entire life. In my younger years my passion was largely about books and written stories. I would devour every book I could get my hands on, making their narrative a part of myself. When I first realized that I could be the one creating stories, I began to learn all about how. I tried my hand at writing and wrote several short stories that I love. Despite what felt like good starts, something didn’t feel right for myself.
A little over 10 years ago, I had an opportunity to study with a Nez Perce storyteller. He began by taking some time to teach me one of his original stories based around stories and themes from his people. Something clicked into place. I fell in love with performance and could not wait to learn how to apply it to other stories. I have been performing as much as I could ever since.
Storytelling is not just a job for me, it is a passion. When I am sharing a story, I am transported to another time and place, and I hope to take my audience along with me. I believe that storytelling is a powerful tool for education, entertainment, and community building.
My Stories
I tell a variety of stories, including traditional Indigenous stories, personal stories, and stories that I’ve created myself. While my focus is primarily on these stories and histories, I also tell stories about different cultures and traditions from around the world. I believe that there is something to be learned from all cultures, and I enjoy exploring different storytelling traditions and techniques. By doing so, I hope to broaden my own understanding of the world and to bring new insights and perspectives to my own storytelling.
I am passionate about sharing Indigenous stories and wisdom. These stories have been passed down from generation to generation, and they carry important messages about our history, culture, and values. Within our culture, there is often little need to distinguish between history and mythology, as all stories have important human moments and cultural teachings embedded within.
Despite my focus on Indigenous stories, I love to explore stories, legends, and myths of many other cultures, digging into what they have to teach about being human. I love the classics like Norse, Greek, and Egyptian mythology. I take time exploring the tradition of fairy tales and tall tales. I’ve found that history is rich with many entertaining and educational stories. My stories can be about love, loss, hope, and resilience. They can be about the challenges that we face in our lives, and they can be about the beauty of the world around us.
One of the things that I love about storytelling is the way that it can bring people together. Whether I am performing in a school, community center, or cultural event, I am always struck by how the stories I tell can resonate with people of all ages and backgrounds. There is something magical about the way that stories can transport us to different times and places, and I feel so grateful to be able to share that experience with others.
How to Book Me
Whether you’re looking for a way to connect with your community, to learn more about Indigenous cultures and traditions, or simply to be entertained by a good story, I invite you to join me on this journey of discovery. Through the power of storytelling, we can connect with each other in ways that are meaningful, transformative, and deeply human. Thank you for taking the time to visit my page, and I look forward to sharing stories with you soon!