sistersinstory

As Sisters in Story, Eileen Charbonneau and Juilene Osborne-McKnight perform parallel Celtic and Native American stories, most recently at the National Convention of the Historical Novel Society. Individually, both writers have been telling traditional stories for more than two decades.

Juilene Osborne-McKnight is an acclaimed novelist of Irish history, legend, and myth (I Am of Irelaunde, Daughter of Ireland, Bright Sword of Ireland, Song of Ireland). She is a seanachie (storyteller) and teacher of Celtic culture and history. Juilene has performed at universities throughout the United States and has been the featured speaker at such colleges as Colaiste Naomh Padraig (College of St. Patrick) in Carlow, Ireland, at the Young Writer's Festival at Youngstown State University in Ohio. Juilene has been the keynote speaker at the National Convention of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and at the convention of the Pennsylvania State Library Association.

Eileen Charbonneau has been involved in community, regional, and academic theatre all her life. She’s written and directed her own celebration of Native American story, Manituwak, The Place of the Spirits, with a grant from the Ensemble Studio Theatre of New York. Her storytelling has reached many audiences, from North Dakota, to Chicago to Virginia. Currently, Eileen is a member of the award-winning company M&M Productions, which brings theater into the libraries of the Hudson Valley of New York State.

Dressed in the traditional costume of each culture, Eileen Charbonneau (Huron/Shoshone) and Juilene Osborne McKnight lead us through matching stories with music, song, and commentary. Shapeshifting, Enduring love, and Wisdom Defeating Darkness are among the themes illuminated.