Mitchell Museum: Storyteller Jim St. Arnold Speaks

Jim St. Arnold (Nigaanigiizhig) is a member of the Anishnaabe Wolf Clan from Keweenaw Bay Indian Community in Michigan.   Inspired to pass the traditions of his Anishnaabe culture to younger generations, Jim uses the art of storytelling to share tales told to him by his elders to audiences of all backgrounds. Learn about the importance of Native American storytelling from the stories he shares at the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian on Saturday, March 22 at 2:30-3:30pm.

As an advocate for the preservation of the Ojibwe language and culture, Jim St. Arnold has co-authored the bilingual book “Dibaajinowinaan: Anishinabe Stories of Culture and Respect”.  He travels the Midwest as a storyteller, speaking at festivals such as “Indian Summer Festival” in Milwaukee.  His extensive experience as a storyteller, and as acting Program Director and Traditional Ecological Knowledge Coordinator at the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission allows him to speak with authority on a plethora of topics.  He is credited for the development of the Keweenaw Bay off reservation hunting/fishing regulations for the 1842 Treaty Ceded Territory and shares stories of his people’s trials and tribulations living off the land of his ancestors.

Come to the Mitchell early, or stay after the hour-long event to take in the newest exhibit “Storytellers: Inspiring Traditions for Generations” which examines the multiple ways Native American stories impact traditional lifeways.  Patrons can see videos of storytellers in the gallery as well as record a personal story in the exhibit longhouse.

Admission to the event is $10 for Mitchell Museum members and Tribal citizens, and $12 for non-members. Event admission does not include admission to view the Mitchell Museum’s exhibits. Interested attendees can RSVP by calling the Mitchell Museum at 847-475-1030, or e-mail rsvp@mitchellmuseum.org.  

The Mitchell Museum is one of only a handful of museums in the country that focuses exclusively on the art, history and culture of American Indian and First Nation peoples throughout the United States and Canada.  In 2012, The Mitchell Museum was named “Best Museum of The North Shore: Up and Comer” by Make it Better magazine, won the Superior award by the Illinois Association of Museums and was named a national finalist by the American Association of State and Local History award program.

For more information about The Mitchell Museum of The American Indian, visit www.mitchellmuseum.org or call 847-475-1030. The museum is open Tuesday-Wednesday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday- Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 4 p.m.  Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors, students and children and Free for Mitchell Museum members and Tribal members.