Reminiscing Tales: The Importance Of Indigenous Storytelling
Payton Velasquez
San Felipe Pueblo
Embedded Files
Identity
"Sharing Ones Skin"
"Sharing Ones Skin"
by Jeanette Armstrong
"Sharing One Skin" by Jeannette Armstrong describes her identity as deeply rooted in the Okanagan Land, encompassing both mountains and rivers. She argues that people are not separate from but part of the land. She outlines four capacities of the self, which include physical, emotional, intellectual, and spiritual, all of which are interconnected and essential. For her community, "Sharing One Skin" means an extended family bond across land, blood, and spirit. A band capitalist, individualistic society is corrupting. She warns that without reconnecting to place and to one another, both people and the land suffer.
Armstrong Jeannette, "Sharing One Skin", "The Okanagan Community", "The case against the global economy", edited by Jerry Mander and Edward Goldsmith, Sierra Club Books, 1996
"And Then I Went To School"
"And Then I Went To School"
by Joe Suina
"And Then I Went To School" by Joe Suina is about his experience growing up in his Pueblo community and then entering a school where everything felt strange and strict. At school, he wasn't allowed to speak in his Native language and was made to feel like his culture was wrong. This caused him confusion, embarrassment, and sadness as he was pushed to act more like the dominant culture and forget parts of who he was.
Suina, Joe, "And I Went To School: Memories Of a Pueblo Childhood", "New Mexico Journal of Reading", Vol 5, No.2, 1985
Velasquez, Payton, "Snow Snow Snow", (2025)
Velasquez, Payton, "Gloomy Day", (2025)
"How Place Names Impact The Way We See Landscape"
"How Place Names Impact The Way We See Landscape"
By B. Toastie
"How Place Names Impact The Way We See Landscape" by B. Toastie explains that the names we give places change how we see and understand the land. Indigenous place names often hold important stories and meanings, but many of them were replaced by colonial names that honored settlers or soldiers. This erases the history and connection indigenous people have with the land. The author demonstrates how reviving the original names can help restore those stories and enable people to reconnect with the land more honestly and respectfully.
Toastie B. "How Place Names Impact The Way We See Landscape" *High Country News*, May 1, 2022, UL
History
Velasquez, Payton, "Placitas Mountain", (2025)
Understanding The Healing Power Of Storytelling
Understanding The Healing Power Of Storytelling
-Native Hope
In this article, "Understanding The Healing Power Of Storytelling," it talks about the importance of storytelling, not only spiritually but scientifically as well. It goes into the challenges we have faced and just the structural view of storytelling. It brings in the key aspect of our tradition, culture, and identity. Elders' knowledge and perspective are given aswell.
Velasquez Payton, "Morning Sky", (2025).
Who Are We?
Who Are We?
-Joseph Bruchac
"Who Are We?' is a chapter from the book "Our Stories Remember" by Joseph Bruchac. Reading this chapter of the book, I really got the Indigenous perspective on when the settlers came. It really blends all within the category of storytelling. In this chapter, the author tells the story of the newcomers, their observations of them, and their thoughts. Then you get to the last pages of this chapter, and it tells about the importance of knowing stories, and the importance of our history as native indigenous peoples.
Current Events
The Same Old Story
The Same Old Story
By Laurel R. Davis-Delano, Renee V. Galliher, & Joseph P. Gone
This article explains how American Indians are often shown the same way in media and history. They are usually portrayed as warriors who are violent or aggressive. This stereotype ignores the real diversity of Native American cultures and lives. The author says these repeated images cause people to misunderstand American Indians and keep harmful stereotypes going.
Velasquez, Payton, "Purple Sky", (2026).
Velasquez, Payton, "Evening Tree", (2025).
Speaking Into The Silences
Speaking Into The Silences
By Melissa Greene-Blyth
This article talks about how American Indians are often ignored or misrepresented in news media. When they are shown, their voices are usually missing or controlled by others. The author explains that Native People try to spread for themselves and correct stereotypes, but the media does not always listen. This keeps misunderstandings and unfair views going.
Global Connections
Storytelling Across The World: Hawaii
Storytelling Across The World: Hawaii
The article "Storytelling Traditions Across The World: Hawaii" explains that Storytelling is very important in Hawaiian culture because it helps pass down history, beliefs, and traditions. Instead of writing things down, people shared stories through chants, songs, and hula dancing, which combine words, music, and movement. Storytellers were respected and taught by elders, and many stories had deeper meanings that people could interpret in different ways. Some storytelling was formal, like during ceremonies, while other times it was casual "Talk story". Overall storytelling helps keep Hawaiian culture and identity alive across generations.
"Storytelling Traditions Across The World: Hawaii." All good Tales, www.allgoodtales.com/storytelling-traditions-across-the-world-hawaii/.
Aztecs
Aztecs
Thus article explains that the Aztects were a powerful Civilization in Central Mexico who built a large empire with their capital, Tenochititlan. They had advances farming, strong social structure, and religious beliefswith many gods. This empire grew large but ended in 1521 when Hernan Cortes and the Spanish defeated them, along with the spread of disease.
HISTORY.com Editors. "Aztects." History, A&E Television Networks, www.history.com/articles/aztecs
Brazil's Indigenous communities confront challenges and way of life
Brazil's Indigenous communities confront challenges and way of life
by Jane Ferguson
The PBS News hour article explains that Indigenous communities in Brazil are facing serious challenges to their land and way of life, especially in the Amazon rainforest. Many groups are dealing with illegal logging, mining, land invasions that destroy their environment and threaten their survival. The article also shows how government decisions and elections can affect their rights and protections, and some activists say violence against Indigenous people has increased. Overall, it highlights how these communities are fighting to protect their land, culture, and future.
Ferguson, Jane. "Brazil's Indigenous communities confront challenges to Their Land and Way of Life." PBS News hour, 27 Oct. 22, www.pbs.org/newshour/show/brazils-indigenous-communities-confront-challenges-to-their-land-and-way-of-life.
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