Roger Fernandes-Storyteller Extraordinaire

On November 11, the "guru" of the Coast Salish Culture came to speak of the power and history of story and myth to a crowd of avid listeners this past Nov.11 at the Renton Historical Museum. Roger is a consultant for the museum, as well as at the Burke Museum and currently has artwork displayed downtown at the Seattle Art Museum where are a Salish exhibit is being featured.

For me, this was my third lucky charms time to hear Roger speak - and the stories just get better each time, as does his expressive way of helping to explain the role of both story and it's teller in society." A myth is a big story that answers big questions - like, "Where do people come from?", Roger explained before relating a version of the creation myth as told in many similar forms by nearby local tribes like the Snoqualmie (whose name means people of the moon) or the Duwammish (the people of the inside).

If you ever have the chance to go hear him - just do, and ask him about, oh Starbaby, or better yet, the story about why dogs check out other dogs butts - that's a good one!

(PS-last chance for stories at the museum-Sat.,Dec.13th at 11 am The Real Toy Story with Allan Hirsch-always draws a crowd!)