In the Ojibwe culture, storytelling is an ancient and important art and winter is officially recognized as storytelling season. The Wisconsin Historical Society is highlighting four interesting Ojibwe storytellers this winter in a virtual Ojibwe Storytellers Series that takes place every Tuesday evening.
“In our culture, winter is storytelling season … for a variety of reasons,” Liz Arbuckle Wabindato, the northern outreach coordinator for the Wisconsin Historical Society, tells Madison365. Wabindato is a member of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. “I’ve heard it told that we tell stories at this time because things are very quiet. The animals we are talking about can’t hear us … because they are hibernating. I’ve also heard it told the opposite way – ‘Well, it’s very important that when our spirits have more time that they can sit with us while we tell stories.’
“And then I heard it the third way, which is that it’s a really practical and logical way to tell stories because, during the other three seasons, we don’t have time to be just sitting around telling stories. You need to be working and securing food for those long winter months,” she adds. “I respect all three of those versions. It’s different traditions of different bands.”
Wabindado, who was raised on the reservation in northern Wisconsin where she lives now, is excited about the Ojibwe Storytellers Series and about all of the snow on the ground across the state of Wisconsin.
“Usually, the rule is that you have to tell stories when there is snow on the ground. Not just winter,” Wabindato says. “The ground is frozen and you can’t be out and about … that’s the rule.”
Wabindato’s Bad River Band is one of six Ojibwe bands in Wisconsin that are federally recognized tribes.
“We are right outside of Ashland, [Wis.]. We’re also on Lake Superior. Red Cliff, which was our first speaker, Michael Laughing Fox Charette, is also on Lake Superior,” she says. “There are six Chippewa Reservations. Chippewa and Ojibwe are the same things. The real name is Anishinaabe … but when the French heard it, they heard ‘Ojibwe.’ When the English heard it, they heard Chippewa. That’s why both of those names have evolved and are used interchangeably.
“I love my culture. I was raised in my culture. I raised my girls in my culture,” she adds. “These four presenters are such wonderful resources and they come to the local schools and they share their time all of the time. I thought, ‘Wouldn’t this be great if they could share this with the rest of Wisconsin?’”
In the first event, held this past Tuesday, Jan. 25, Native American storyteller and poet Michael Laughing Fox Charette, a member of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, delighted audiences with poetry, flute, drum, and storytelling performances that weaved Indigenous teachings into a modern-day context.
The following artists are scheduled for the next three Tuesdays (bios provided by the Wisconsin Historical Society):
- Edith Leoso is a Bad River Tribal member and Tribal Historic Preservation Officer who has been a discussant and presenter on tribal historic preservation for a variety of audiences on a local, regional, national, and international level. Leoso will be featured on Tuesday, Feb. 1.
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Edith Leoso, a Bad River Tribal member and Tribal Historic Preservation Officer - Biskakone Greg Johnson is a proud member of the Lac du Flambeau band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians and is a devoted partner and father to four beautiful children. Johnson is a teacher, both in the school system and community. You can find him sharing his passion for traditional, seasonal Anishinaabe living with communities throughout the Great Lakes region. He is a hunter, gatherer, spearfisherman, and fierce advocate for treaty rights. Johnson will be featured on Tuesday, Feb. 8.
Biskakone Greg Johnson - Leon C. Valliere, also known as Ozaawaagosh, is a recognized elder and ceremonial leader who currently serves the Lac du Flambeau Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians as director of the Ojibwe Language Program. Valliere will be presenting on Tuesday, Feb. 15.
“This was just one of those exciting opportunities that fits one of our missions which is providing relevant histories for our communities and for our state,” Wabindato says. “These Native stories, these Ojibwe stories, are just one of them. We’re really excited that we get to showcase this and be a part of this. It has had a really good response so far. We’ve had a lot of registrations so far.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has canceled plenty of events. But it has also made local events (and amazing local artists) more available to the rest of the state, nation, and even the world. The Ojibwe Storytellers Series is a chance for the rest of the state to learn the stories from and about the Ojibwe.
“I’m used to it up here. I see these people at the grocery store. These are our lovable neighbors who are wonderful cultural resources that live and work in their community. But to have that opportunity to share that with people in southern Wisconsin is amazing,” Wabindato says. “And beyond. We have people signed up in Washington state, Canada, California … all over.
“And this is going to be a great resource for teachers. These four series will all be recorded and made available on our website and on YouTube page. It will be an incredible family-friendly resource. I’m really excited about this.”
For more information about the Ojibwe Storytellers Series, click here.
