Native American storyteller Suzanne Jones captivated audience members Tuesday evening during her storytelling event at the Poplar Bluff Municipal Library main branch. More than 25 audience members watched the animated storyteller present tales from the Choctaw, Cherokee and Delaware nations.
Jones was involved in the American Indian Center of St. Louis from 1999 until its closing. Her goal in storytelling is to provide educational opportunities about Native Americans through public presentations including schools, museums and public libraries. Jones said that her stories discuss the history of European and Native American interactions and how these interactions have forced changes in the population and cultures of the indigenous people.
The first story she told was the tale of how the turtle flew south for the winter.
“One day while Turtle was walking, he noticed some bird flying,” Jones said. “He yelled to them, ‘Where are you going?’ Two birds flew down and answered, ‘We’re flying south for the winter.’”
Jones entertained audience members with other stories about animals such as the possum and rabbit as well.
Native American Heritage Month is celebrated in November. According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, the month celebrates the traditions, languages and stories of not only the Native American community but also the Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian and affiliated Island communities.
This November and every month, we celebrate the culture and heritage of these remarkable Americans who deeply enrich the quality and character of our Nation,” their press statement read. “This year’s theme at Interior is Celebrating Tribal Sovereignty and Identity.”
Jones is a representative from the Missouri Humanities Council, in addition to being a high school chemistry teacher in the Ferguson Florissant School District. She received a bachelor of science degree in zoology, a master’s degree in biology and a teaching certification from Arkansas State University.