LEARN NC

K–12 teaching and learning · from the UNC School of Education

Circle of Stories

http://www.pbs.org/circleofstories/

Provider: PBS


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Honor life, learn life’s lessons, tap the wisdom of the past generations and discover what it is to be human from the perspective of the American Indian. Explore Native American Indian storytelling illustrated with art, photographs and movies and narrated by Native storytellers. The range of stories on this site spans traditional cooking, environmental protection and porqua tales from storytellers from Rhode Island to California, Narragansett to Shoshone.

Explaining storytelling traditions and highlighting the cultural impact of Native peoples is a multimedia experience thanks to the Circle of Stories website. Many Voices Gallery captures the spirit of the Native stories with images and quotes that link to longer works including poems, video clips of stories, reminiscences and traditions. The Culture Gallery challenges stereotypical images and celebrates diversity. In addition, the site offers an opportunity to participate in the Community by sharing a story or participating in a discussion.

Entire stories are beautifully presented; click the “Launch Stories” link to view these multimedia presentations. “The Cooking Spirit” is a six minute story conveying Rosella Archdale’s reverence for cooking in a traditional manner using Native recipes. Ingredients gathered throughout the growing season are combined to make a meal rich in both history and nutrients. Respect for the growing season and cultural food ways is evident in the tone and presentation. A transcript of the story, maps of the Lakota, Dakota, and Nakota Nations and biographical information about the storyteller are featured on the Storytellers pages. Like “The Cooking Spirit,” “The Water Song” is a story of respect for nature; this story is focused on the role water plays in our collective health.

“Rabbit’s Wish for Snow” is a traditional pourquoi tale explaining why the rabbit has a split lip, long ears and bent legs as well as why the pussy willow has fluffy seeds! Biographical information about Tchin, the Native storyteller of this tale, and the Narragansetts’ land reclamation efforts in Rhode Island is available on the Storytellers pages. “The Five Sacred Medicines” also tells why, but in this case it explains the effects of natural forces out of synch.