Antoinette Botsford, Ph.D. P.O. Box 1173 Eastsound, WA 98245 (360) 376-4285 Email Antoinette

A professional storyteller since 1988, Antoinette Botsford holds a Ph.D. from UCLA in theater history and is chair of the Oral History Project on Orcas Island, an activity that ties workshops she offers in writing and telling stories from personal histories. Her storytelling draws extensively from her French-Canadian/Metis heritage, a fertile source of tales she describes as being "traditional and true". This is Botsford's fifth term as an Inquiring Mind Speaker.

Animals as Teachers: Mythology, Folklore and Earth Wisdom
In the world of stories "traditional and true" animals often represent humans, and speak to the values that are important to individual cultures and the earth generally. Antoinette Botsford retells such classics as "White Bear King Valemon," which inspires persistence, faith, and ultimate transformation in healing the earth and ultimate transformation in healing the earth and its creatures. As well as a family story of "The World Children," which embraces the mystery of interspecies communication and the importance of passing family stories down through the ages and a South American Bee woman teaches about the communal lives of bees and their species medicines. Elementary schoolers enjoy "The Theft of Fire" [a local Nisqually legend] that demonstrates the value of cooperative efforts and the importance of being careful with fire. The African spider-man outwits himself and is given a hard lesson about sharing. Very young children will learn about selflessness through the gifts of chipmunks to Grandfather Bear one very cold winder. An original story by Botsford, developed from a fragment of an old Russian fairytale, shows the value of simplicity and gratitude, and literacy. The storyteller weaves old stories with contemporary experience, distinguishing between the symbolic and archetypal functions of traditional storybook characters and how we experience and interact with animals in our actual lives. These stories teach through their charm, and are chosen to help generate respect for the wisdom of the past, a greater understanding and appreciation of the indigenous cultures of the world, and an expanded appreciation for animals and human stewardship. They cultivate awareness of our present situation in the earth, encouraging us to value nature and to become more attentive to its ways, thereby developing our own role in protecting the earth.

Audience: elementary school through adult

Talking Quilts, Hidden Stories: The Bible Quilts of Harriet Powers
Former Negro slave Harriet Powers [1837-1911] is remembered for two extraordinary quilts. Both are appliquéd story quilts made up individual squared based on stories from the Bible, interwoven with African folklore and cosmological themes. One of the quilts also includes a number of historical events that occurred during Powers' lifetime. Storyteller Antoinette Botsford weaves a story of Powers' life and spiritual philosophy as reflected in her quilts, also speaks directly about he quilt makers unique artistic vision, her connection to African folk arts and the survival of ancient beliefs and traditions. The program begins with a Benin creation myth that introduces the unspoken pre-history of an enslaved culture and the implied values that were passed down over the years, helping to explain some of the idiosyncratic iconography of the quilt itself. In telling Harriet's story, Botsford tells something of the Underground Railroad, the hardships of slavery, and the support systems used by slaves and former slaves to help one another through their difficulties both during and after the American Civil War. Of particular significance is Harriet Powers' evident involvement with the Order of the Eastern star (or a similar organization). Hidden within her quilts are the secret teachings and encouragements, woven in with well-known Bible stories.

Audience: Middle school through adult

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