NSU presents, Gayle Ross, Native American storyteller LaTasha Atcity TNE Writer

LaTasha Atcity/TNE Rebecca Mirelez, Tahlequah freshman, and Sara Hays, Oak freshman, view the Smithsonian exhibit. The exhibit is open to all community members and students. The John Vaughan Library and the Indigenous Scholar Development Center have collaborated to present Gayle Ross, a Native American storyteller. Ross will share stories in conjunction with the Smithsonian code-talking exhibit. Stories told will have themes and lessons based on the Native Words, Native Warriors Smithsonian Traveling exhibit. Some messages of her stories will include bravery, warriors, pride, and language, said Susan Woitte, first year information literacy librarian. In particular, she is known for telling many trickster stories and legends. Indigenous cultures use oral tradition to help pass customs and beliefs from generation to generation. This reasoning allows different age groups to be influenced by storytelling. This storytelling event will be an opportunity for the campus community to enjoy learning through oral tradition, which is such an important feature of Indigenous Knowledge and ways of knowing, said Dr. Jennifer McCann, director of ISDC. The storytelling event is a chance to understand how Native American language was used to influence World War I and II. Its really a great opportunity to come by and to learn about the exhibit and to learn about code talkers at the same time, said Chris Smith, scholar development coordinator

at ISDC. Smith said listeners will receive a better understanding on cultural perspectives and on how traditional stories relate to historical events. It is my understanding Ms. Gayle Ross will be developing some new material based on her research on code talkers for this event, said McCann. Gayle Ross is well known for her ability to speak well in front of an audience and to relate the story to the listeners. One of the skills Ross possesses as a storyteller is her being able to relate to what the exhibit is about, said Smith. She is able to combine different stories to help showcase the history in the exhibit. Each story told will have a moral meaning and a lesson to learn. The animals in the stories will possess different human characteristics. The purpose of the stories is to teach moral and cultural values, said Smith. The stories will also help interact each listener in a positive way. The stories are intended to relate to both the exhibit and the audience members. Woitte said Native Words, Native Warriors Smithsonian Traveling Exhibit wanted to have programs planned every few weeks and for those programs to be aimed at audiences of varying backgrounds and ages. The storyteller idea is aimed at a younger audience primarily, but people of every age will enjoy the event, said Woitte. McCann said the event is free of charge and is open to the community both on and off campus. I hope we are able to expose students of all ages to the art of storytelling, the history of Code Talkers and the value of learning that can be found at the NSU Library, said Woitte The storytelling event will be Feb. 26 at 12:30 p.m. on the second floor of the John Vaughan Library. For more information, call the Indigenous Scholar Development Center 918-444-3042. Published 2/19/14 Break out box Upcoming Library/ISDC events March 4, 6:30 p.m. Arlene Duncan, Native American Women Warriors April 7, 3:00 p.m. Laura Tohe, author of "Code Talker Stories,"