North Bay Woman

62 NORTH BAY WOMAN S P R I N G | S U M M E R 2 0 2 0 moment and a turning point in my life. Exploring and becoming different characters is fun and educational. 5 Why are stories so powerful? "Storytelling is in our DNA. We are storytelling animals. Many tales combine moral lessons with humor and open- ness to life's paradoxes. Others are told be- cause they're simply funny and entertaining. A shared laugh is strong medicine. Stories that reveal the deep interconnections of hu- manity and the natural world bring a sense of unity, and a balanced life while promoting positive changes. 6 What do you draw upon in your stories? "My deep appreciation for nature, native cultures, music and outdoor adventures such as interacting with Australian aborig- inal Tjapukai tribe who taught me to play the didjeridu, and marine life excursions in California, Hawaii and Baja. I weave modern science terms with stories like the 'Three Sisters - Corn, Bean and Squash' that reveal traditional ecological techniques based on native sacred connections to the land, keen observations and experimentations from thousands of years. 7 What can children learn from your stories? "With children, I lean into stories about the human condition highlighting the need for respect and cooperation, which is especially important for them to learn. 8 What are your favorite stories to tell? "I love telling trickster stories! They give glimpses of the cultural and historical set- tings in which they were first told, revealing native people's deep relationships with the Earth as a living being and with Great Spirit. Tricksters serve as culture heroes creating order out of chaos and teaching human sur- vival skills. Their entertaining stories rampant with selfishness, foolhardy indulgence, and dire consequences, teach without being dogmatic. I grew up with tricksters like Bugs Bunny, Roadrunner, Pink Panther, Marvel Comics' Loki — and even my mom. 9 Your mother? A trickster? "Yes! One Easter while collecting hand painted eggs as a child, I found a big purple plastic one. Expecting jellybeans and Hershey's kisses, I eagerly opened it and found a cute, soft yellow chick. It peeped as I carefully The student is demonstrating how carry a back pack with a forehead strap instead of shoulder straps during a museum school tour. – Photo courtesy of Alicia Mary Retes Your mother? A trickster?

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