Osher Lifelong Learning Institute a the University of Denver

Monday Afternoon Webinar

Sponsoring Site – On Campus

Webinar Theme: The Power of Sharing History Through Storytelling In Collaboration with OLLI at DU Diversity and Inclusivity Committee

Magic of Storytelling — Messages from the Ancestors January 9th Speaker: Rose Red Elk aka Red Feather Woman

The art of storytelling is a magic that most of us all have within. Our lives are a story. Our ances- tors were the masters who paved the way for teaching through oral storytelling. The legends of our creation, learning about life, death and mysteries were taught through the process of stories. This webinar will give examples of some of these ancient stories. For Rose Red Elk, uplifting and healing her audiences through storytelling, writing, and music is at the heart of her artistic mission.

Red Feather Woman, aka Rose Red Elk, is originally from Ft. Peck Reservation, from Eastern Mon- tana and enrolled member of the Assiniboine/Sioux Tribes. Rose is a Traditional Native American storyteller, contemporary musician, singer songwriter and author. Two of her four albums have won Native American Awards for Spoken Word 2005, and Best Folk Recording, 2014. She has toured internationally as well as throughout the US. She blends the old with the new, as she weaves the oral tradition of Native American stories with her original music. A gifted storyteller, she will enlighten, educate, and entertain her audiences. Her most important duty is the preservation of an ancient cul- ture for future generations. Her degrees are in business, electronics technology, and sociology. www. redfeatherwoman.com

Eclectic Rose Red Elk Creates Comic Books Aimed At Teens On Reservations

When you create a comic book, you need a hero -- or four.

And in the new comic book series "Empowerment Saga," due out this summer by Native American artist Rose Red Elk, they take many forms.

"These four birds, these shape shifters, are superheros with great powers," Red Elk says."

"There's bank robbers. There's loan sharks. There's gang members," Red Elk says. "They time travel."

The U.S. Department of the Interior and Office of the Special Trustee for American Indians commissioned Red Elk to write these stories with a moral in mind: They aim to teach Native American teens on reservations how to be responsible with their money. The comic can also be used for the non natives as well.  

Download PDF Files:

Journey of Trade

Quest for a Job

Adventures in Banking

Exploring a New Frontier

A Loan or Not a Loan

The Choice

Coloring Book

Weave Your Dreams: Dream Catcher Class

Rose Red Elk aka Red Feather Woman award winning recording artist as a Native American oral story teller/singer songwriter and author, is enrolled member of the Ft. Peck Tribes- Assiniboine/Sioux, in Eastern Montana.  One of her passions as an artist is making fine art dream catchers. She uses semi precious stones, and metals to weave beautiful dream catcher. She also places her energy and intentions within.

Basics:
This is a beginning class to teach the basics of the process.  In order to become proficient, one must learn the beginning basics of the weave and materials used. 

Materials: 
Metal 5” hoop, artificial sinu, leather and metal fetish, feathers.  Only a few stones will be needed in the beginning. 

Time Duration: 3 hrs

Price: $75 includes all materials

Fine Art-Dream Catchers

Red Feather Woman — Rose Red Elk Original

One of Rose’s many talents is designing dream catchers. Her unique style is contemporary with Lakota intention. Her early designed incorporated beads as she discovered how a color brings light to the weave. The body of the dream catcher takes on a life of its own, as she carefully hand threads each bead or stone. Rose gently wraps each hoop with strips of leather, and then begins a weaving, using artificial sinew. As an artist, she may have an idea of a color scheme, but as she begins to build the heart of the dream catcher, she never knows what it will look like until she completes it. Her intent as a handcrafted design is full of positive energy as well as unique.    

She gathers special beads and gems to her collection to use for a “one of its kind dream catcher”. Some of the stones have healing energies and Rose will also custom design for those who want a particular stone, color or theme. She also uses beautiful feathers, pheasant, duck, chicken, parrot, and turkey.

The ancient legends of the dream catchers hold a special healing energy for those who believe. Red Feather Woman’s dream catchers blend the old with the new. Never losing the power of positive energy, healing, and peaceful design, allow the dream catcher to help all your dreams come true.

Colorado Public Television: Keepers of the Earth

Click here to go to CPT web page

In this video, Red Feather Woman sings about how we are all connected to Mother Earth. Seen through the eyes of a Hawk, Red Feather Woman walks between nature and civilization, blending worlds of ritual, remembrance and hope for the future.

Her song, “The Keepers of the Earth,” relates the ancient story of the medicine colors. Red, black, yellow and white represent the nations of the world. White man keeper of the fire, black man keeper of the water, yellow man keeper of the air, and Red man keeper of the Earth.

Each nation has a gift. Our elders and wisdom of the medicine people have taught us we are all connected and in this story, all people have gifts in helping the world heal and helping one another. We must heed the call to honor our ancestors to help our future generations.

Many people made this video possible. Special thanks to Red Feather Woman; Kin Quitugua at Hawk Quest; John Gritts; Team Bearsheart: Brad, Ella, Nathaniel and Gabriele; Clint Rides His Horse; Dennison Elementary and Students; and Jackie Sanderson, Natural Resource Specialist at Prairie Canyon Ranch, Douglas County Division of Open Space and Natural Resources.

World Premiere: The Wind Eagle

Colorado Indian Market 2014, January 17-19
RED FEATHER WOMAN'S NATIVE THEATER presents.