Stories

Special full-length versions of The Storyteller

I’m Free – The Story of Allen Early (San Carlos Apache)

Allen, a San Carlos Apache, was raised in the traditional way by his father. His dad sent him away to school.  Soon Allen got involved in alcohol, drugs, and gang life.  He became so violent that the people in his community wanted him put away. But jail couldn’t hold him. He escaped many times.  Finally,…

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He was seeking revenge, but found Love. The Story of Jim Rickteroff (Athabaskan)

Jim grew up being hated, abused, and very angry… and so it wasn’t long before he was bent on getting revenge. He trained in martial arts, preparing for the day when he would meet his abusers again. He was hot on the trail of one of them in Anchorage… but when Jim would go in…

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The Rescuer Rescued – The Story of Gordon Thayer (Ojibwe)

Gordon got into serious trouble as a young man.  He ended up standing before a judge who presented him with two choices: join the military or go to reform school.  Gordon joined the Air Force and eventually became a part of the special forces unit, Pararescue, serving two tours in Vietnam.  Pararescue’s motto is “These…

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Abandoned, abused, forgiven, free. An elder shares her story – The Testimony of Anne Morrow (Cree)

Anne’s mother abandoned the family when Anne was just a little girl. When Anne was five years old her father put her in residential school where she was abused. How does one overcome such trauma? As she shares her life’s journey you’ll find a remarkable story of forgiveness… not just in what she says, but…

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The Shepherd’s Song – Psalm 23

These are challenging days across Native North America and throughout the world. For many First Nations and Native American communities, the prospect of contracting Covid-19 is frightening. Underlying health conditions put many Native people at greater risk with this coronavirus. Tribal leaders are working hard to protect their communities and we’re grateful. The uncertainty of…

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The Story behind Christmas – Jason French (Cherokee)

Like all of us, the Christmas story has a background… and it begins with our Creator. Join us as Jason French starts at the beginning and helps us understand the significance of this day that was first celebrated by angels in the night sky near Bethlehem and now is celebrated by people from tribes and…

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Abandoned but not Forsaken. The Testimony of Soapy Dollar (Mescalero Apache)

A young, pregnant teenager leaves her reservation for the city and gives birth to her child. She returns home alone, after leaving her baby in an alley. The child is found by a fortune-teller who takes him home and passes him around for the first five years of his life. Finally, she places him in…

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New Life – The Testimony of Jess French (Cherokee)

Ever heard voices? Jess has. As a night club entertainer, he was preparing for a show one Friday evening when he heard an unfamiliar voice ask him a strange question. Besides Jess and the bartender, there was no one else around… and the bartender hadn’t said anything. It was disturbing. Jess immediately asked for a…

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The Fear is Gone – The Story of Eddie Lindsey (Creek)

As a young person, Eddie was afraid of dying. One day he and his aunt had a good talk about it.  If you’ve ever wondered about death you might be interested in what she shared with him. Eddie also reflects on the influence that his father had on him. He always knew that his daddy…

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“Why you always smiling?” The Testimony of Julius Twohearts (Sisseton Wahpeton Sioux)

Julius Twohearts – Sisseton Wahpeton Sioux: Julius grew up on the Spirit Lake reservation in northeastern North Dakota. From his youth, his life was a toxic mixture of anger and alcohol. He eventually went to prison for attacking a police officer – sending him to the hospital. Years later, while Julius was drinking under a…

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