Storytelling event set for Sat.

By Adam Koob (Contact) | The Natchez Democrat

Published Friday, January 25, 2008

NATCHEZ — On Saturday afternoon the mysteries of the universe will be revealed at the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians.

Tom War Cloud, an Arapaho and Toltec Indian, will tell the tale of why the crow is black and the story of the creation of the Earth.

War Cloud and other storytellers will gather on Saturday at the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians for the 11th Moon Storytelling event.

Historian Rebecca Anderson said the 11th Moon Storytelling event is a time for cultural learning and fun.

“It’s just a really good time,” she said.

Anderson said the storytelling event is a great educational family activity.

Anderson said the storytelling centers around the stories and oral traditions of the Native Americans.

The afternoon’s events will feature stories from several different storytellers, one of whom normally brings along an alligator, Anderson said.

And while the event is meant for fun and education, War Cloud said the afternoon focuses on one fundamental theme that all cultures share — their stories.

“Everyone has their story,” he said. “All cultures share the history of their origins.”

War Cloud said he relishes the stories he can share and uses them as a means for exposing his culture to new groups of people.

In fact, War Cloud likes sharing the tales of his culture so much, before he retired he found a way to take his tales to work.

War Cloud said during his work with adjudicated youth in Arizona he would often use stories to help illuminate lessons he was trying to convey.

“They hear the story and they can use the lesson in their own situation,” he said. “The lessons does not change.”

War Cloud said as a youngster he was fascinated with the tales of tribal life that his elders shared with him.

“These are stories that go way, way back,” he said. “These are the stories that tell us who we are.”

On Saturday, War Cloud and several other storytellers will be sharing their tales with anyone who wants to hear them.

Anderson said the storytelling will go from 2 until 4 p.m. in the auditorium at Grand Village.

The event is free and open to the public however seating is limited to 60.