Umpqua Valley Arts Association

Arts in Education

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Esther Stutzman (American Indian Music / American Indian Storytelling)

About the Artist

Esther has told traditional Indian stories and talked about Indian history for grades K-12 since becoming an Indian resource speaker for the Coos County Indian Education Coordination Program in 1975. Two years later she was one of the founding members of MOTHER EARTH'S CHILDREN, a south coast Indian theater group who have performed at the 1986 World's Fair Expo in Vancouver (Canada), the National Indian Education Association conference, and at local school assemblies to raise funds for Indian student scholarships. Many of the stories she tells as the group's storyteller are based on her published work, WHEN GRANDMOTHER SANG HER SONG, a book of traditional stories of the Coos Tribe. Esther has also served as a curriculum developer to provide local teachers with "The American Indian Social Studies Curriculum Activity Guide," "American Indian Music for the Classroom", "Thanksgiving...A Resource," "Stereotypes, the truth behind the hype."

Grade Levels

K - 12

Teaching Objectives

"American Indian Music" is rich in tradition and style. Too often, the movie-influenced 'Indian music' is mimicked and the real music goes unnoticed. Children will learn varieties of American Indian music by singing, using instruments and dancing. Students will have the opportunity to hear authentic music from the artist. In subsequent sessions, singing, drumming and dancing will be offered as a hands-on and participation activity. As a finale, the class will perform for a school assembly or parent gathering.

"Storytelling" is a way to remember and retain history. In the style of the American Indian, storytelling is a means to preserve a rich cultural heritage. Children learn from stories: wisdom, fact, personal relationships and humor. By means of narrators and performers, using the entire class, the storytelling sessions draw upon traditional methods to pass along the real image of American Indian tales. Students will hear authentic American Indian stories from the artist. In addition, students will have the opportunity to 'write' their own stories using the background and techniques they have heard. Mask making will be included if time permits. As a finale, the class will perform selected stories for a school assembly or parent gathering.

Facility/Supplies

Music; available classroom poster-board will be needed to write words for songs. A stage or large area in a gymnasium or cafeteria is preferred.

Storytelling; a mask-making activity will require available classroom paper and art supplies. Students may also bring objects from home to use in the final performance. For the artist's storytelling sessions, the classroom is sufficient space. For the later storytelling practice and performance, a stage or large area in a gymnasium or cafeteria is preferred.

Overview | Application for Residency | Artist Bios | Apply as an Artist | AIE Check-off

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