As the region gets ready for the solar eclipse in April, the Penn Yan Public Library is inviting a storyteller to present an evening of Native American eclipse stories.
Master storyteller Perry Ground (Onondaga) will visit Penn Yan Public Library on March 1 to present “Raven Steals the Sun: Native American Eclipse Stories.” This story-filled presentation begins at 6:00 p.m. and will share the beliefs, traditions, and protocols of several Native American tribes related to the Sun and Eclipse events. Tribes across North America have stories to explain these solar events and view them in many different ways – as a signal or a transformation, as omens, as sacred, and as a celebration. From the Cherokee to the Navajo to the Inuit to the Haudenosaunee (and many other tribes), these traditional legends have been told for hundreds of years and continue to be important to Native American culture today. A brief understanding of each tribe’s location and environment will be shared in addition to the stories.
Perry Ground will bring the stories to life through vivid descriptions, his rhythmic voice, and an active stage presence. These stories become interactive, as Perry is known to include audience members in the stories. All listeners, young and old alike, will find this presentation captivating, entertaining, and educational. Perry Ground is a Turtle Clan member of the Onondaga Nation of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy. Perry has been a storyteller and educator for over 30 years and enjoys working with people of all ages to teach about the history and culture of Native peoples. He has performed at countless museums, parks, festivals, etc. in addition to working at several museums and serving as the Fredrick H. Minett Professor at RIT.
This presentation is free and seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Penn Yan Public Library is located at 214 Main Street in Penn Yan. For more information on this and other programs, visit the library’s website
