On Saturday, February 2,
2019, the MKIM will host the Dawnland StoryFest for the very first
time. The Dawnland StoryFest was begun five years ago by its original
creator/producer – storyteller Papa Joe Gaudet - and was held at the
Mariposa Museum and Cultural Center in Peterborough, NH for its first
four years, growing its audience size every year. This year, the
Dawnland StoryFest is celebrating its 5th anniversary in a
new location and under new sponsorship. As the only Native American
Museum in New Hampshire, the Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum in Warner, NH
is the perfect location for New Hampshire’s only Native American
Storytelling Festival. In its 26+ years of existence, MKIM has become a
vital cultural and educational locus of activity and support for the
Indigenous people of New Hampshire
There
is a traditional storytelling season for the Native Peoples of the
Northeast. From the first frost in of autumn until the last frost in
springtime, winter is the cozy storytelling time of year. The purpose
of the Dawnland StoryFest is to share traditional Native American
stories during the heart of the Winter Storytelling Season in an
atmosphere that invites audience members to not only listen to these
ancient and wonderful stories, but to also have the opportunity to learn
about the traditions associated with Native American storytelling while
also learning more about Native American cultures. There will also be
opportunities for attendees to get up and practice telling a traditional
Native American story in a warm and supportive environment, if they
come to the Dawnland StoryFest prepared with a story to share. In a
way, the Dawnland StoryFest is a hybrid event: it is a storytelling
festival meant to entertain while also being a storytelling conference
meant to educate. This is actually typical of Native American
cultures. Because of the strong oral traditions that developed in
Native American societies over the millennia, storytelling became the
primary method for educating the next generations. And stories needed
to be engaging in order to capture the attention and imagination of the
listeners, so they would learn the lessons that were embedded in each
story. And sometimes a story has to be heard many times over the years
in order for the lessons to be learned - good thing they’re entertaining
stories!
In
addition to new sponsorship in a new location, there is another first
for the Dawnland StoryFest this year – the featured storyteller for the
day is a woman. Anne Jennison is a New Hampshire-based storyteller who
comes from countless generations of folks who have lived in the
Northeastern Woodlands. But Anne’s worldview - and voice as a
storyteller – has also been shaped by having lived in many far-flung
places around the world as well as the New Hampshire Seacoast. While
Anne is a dyed-in-the-wool New Englander with both European and Abenaki
heritage (Metis) who comes from a family with a strong oral tradition,
she has also had rigorous training in her art form. With Master’s
degrees in both Storytelling and in History, Anne brings a wealth of
knowledge - polished by 30 years of experience as a performing
storyteller - to her retelling of timeless Native American stories. Additionally,
six other experienced storytellers will also be featured at this year’s
Dawnland StoryFest: HearsCrow (Narragansett), Darlene Kascak
(Schaghticoke),
Angela Klingler (Cherokee), Sebastian Lockwood, Papa Joe Gaudet, and
Simon Brooks as the MC. The very modest admission fee for this event
is $5.50. Free admission for Native Americans.
For an additional $4.00, you can do a self-guided tour of the Museum.
Additionally, farm-fresh fare will be sold in the lobby by Lewis Farm or
you are welcome to bring a bag lunch with you. Contact Mt. Kearsarge
Indian Museum for more information at (603) 456-2600.
Please
note: The Dawnland StoryFest 2019 is geared toward adults, including
young adults, who are interested in learning more about Native American
Storytelling traditions. This event is not really suitable for young
children as there will be no specifically child-oriented activities - or
childcare - provided during this one-day storytelling conference and
festival. This event is funded, in part, by a grant from the NH Humanities.
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Anne Jennison (photo credit Simon Brooks)
