from www.genetagaban.com
Blog for April 21, 2009
Last night, a Native Storyteller performed in town. Gene Tagaban once lived in Petersburg, but now he travels the world, telling stories, dancing and playing music. He is a self-described “Indipino”, a mix of Tlingit, Cherokee and Filipino ancestry.
Gene has a strong sense of his Native American Heritage, and yet his stories reached across the boundaries of race or age. As he said, “We are all Tribal People”. He engaged the audience in empowering statements, getting everyone to shout “We are Storytellers! We are Birth Warriors!” His approach connected strongly with the audience, and when he asked for volunteers, the children swarmed the stage.
The kids drummed for Gene as he donned his Raven Regalia and danced across the floor, and down among the audience. He became Raven, with his cocked head, and swooping wings. The abalone eyes glittered as he hopped across the floor then swirled his wings overhead. Amazing.
Gene could be an old man telling a story to his grandson, and at the same time, be that child. He embodied the ravaged veteran at the top of a mountain, about to commit suicide, and the curious deer watching. Then he could be the old Auntie stirring soup, full of knowing when the weary veteran made his way back down to the house.
He filled the auditorium last night with ancestors, and spirit animals, with ghosts and with laughter. Gene reminded me to have an open heart, to keep a sense of humor, to judge less and laugh more. We laughed until our faces hurt from smiling. What joy! I am grateful for his spirit, bright as the spring wind, blowing away the last cold drifts of winter…
Gene reminds me of my friends from Kake, Mike and Edna. They too are Citizens of the World. Wherever they go, they are home. I think of Edna coming over to Petersburg around Christmas, putting on an apron, walking into the kitchen full of strangers at the Sons of Norway to help at the potluck. “Oh, I am just a Village Person” she told me. As though she knows, it is all just one Village. Mike has the gift of meeting people where they are, and sharing what is true and beautiful about this part of Alaska.
There are people that I have met who have the gift of connection. They seem to be members of the larger tribe, the Human Family. They remind me what matters and how to behave. They show me:
Be at home on this earth. Be gracious and welcoming. Remember Family. Look for connection. Be Grateful.
I am grateful today for all the people in my life that embody these values and show me over and over how to live on this earth, with humor and warmth, with music and stories.
Gunalcheesh! Hoho!
fromwww.genetagaban.com
The Crazy Raven sure is one cool guy. We enjoyed his too short visit to Kake. Prior to his visit, we helped all the kids to make Raven & Eagle headdresses out of card stock, so they all had regalia to wear while he was here.
I think a world village person can be at home most anywhere in the world if we have a sense of home and self in our hearts, or maybe it just boils down to ‘know thyself’.
Isn’t this warmer weather glorious? Every year, it seems that Spring will never get here, but every year, it surprises us and arrives. The dandelions are busting out all over, I have some tiny lily of the valley plants popping thru the earth. So lovely to be coming out of our long sad winter, after six months of snow! Enjoy this beautiful day, Julie!
Edna
Dear Julie,
Thinking of you and planning to write a letter. Planning, but I need an actual plan! I will do it though. Sassafras in bloom, and shad. Birch and beech leaving out. Starting to look like spring.
Much Love,
Laura (from the Vineyard)