‘The Aunties’ storytelling program highlights Indigenous voices in Yakima, across the US
Three Native American women will share their own stories to a crowd at Yakima’s Capitol Theatre this Thursday as part of a storytelling program called “The Aunties.”
By Anna King, for Northwest Public Broadcasting
Three Native American women will share their own stories to a crowd at Yakima’s Capitol Theatre this Thursday as part of a storytelling program called “The Aunties.”
They’ll highlight their lives and the impact they’ve made in their community. The women will show slides while telling contemporary stories onstage.
Already, “The Aunties” has played throughout the Northwest in Olympia, Bellingham and Seattle.
“There is a saying, ‘Nothing about us, without us,’ right? There are a lot of stories that have been told about Native people in the U.S., really without our input whatsoever,” Andre Bouchard, the program’s creator, said, “Really having this be a space where we can tell our truths, tell about our lived experience, is valuable. Extremely valuable.”
Bouchard says there have been a lot of interpretations of Native American stories and culture controlled by white people over the years, but there are fewer shows or programs that are by Native Americans through their own voice.
“I can only hope that some young Native person goes to this and finds inspiration from these women, their experiences and their stories,” he said.
Emily Washines is one of the women who is featured in Thursday’s show.
“For me, I think it’s about being able to sit with our community [the Yakama Nation and neighbors] for an evening and building stronger connections,” Washines said. “I think for the kids, I am excited to show them about our history, about Natives and the Yakama Nation.”
Washines says it’s also a chance to reclaim her family’s history and add context. She is an enrolled Yakama Nation tribal member with Cree and Skokomish lineage.
“There is a 1921 photo of my great, great-grandfather, Chief Meninock, that I’m going to share, but it’s also shown at a local burger restaurant, Miner’s. And I want to share more of the story behind that photo.”
Later this year and next year, “The Aunties” is scheduled to hit Walla Walla, Los Angeles and the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.
The program receives federal funding through the National Endowment for the Arts and another regional arts organization called Creative West. Funding cuts may mean some appearances of “The Aunties” could be canceled.
This story originally appeared at Northwest Public Broadcasting. Thank you for supporting our work. Be sure to visit their website, and donate to Fry Bread below.
