Roberta Kennedy

Box 2392
Yellowknife, NT X1A 2P8

Phone (cell): 250-981-8949
Email : Roberta Kennedy
Website: : www.sharkhouse.ca

Kwii-Ge-Ii-Wans means 'Big Precious Loved Cloud.' This is Roberta Kennedy's true name, the Haida name she inherited from her maternal grandmother. She is originally from Haida Gwaii (The Land of the Good People — or the Queen Charlotte Islands, B.C.) She has travelled across Canada singing, drumming, and telling Haida Raven tales to audiences of all ages for the past 15 years.

Roberta now lives in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories with her husband and three children, where she is a Dene Culture teacher and teaches the Dogrib language to primary students. She has travelled to nearly every province and territory in Canada telling her stories at hundreds of schools, conferences, and festivals.

Haida stories tell of a time when the animals were people like us: the people of the air, the people of the water, the four-legged people. Humans were simply the two-legged people. The others were our brothers and sisters. They taught us how to live and be true haada-laas (good people). We survived because of their teachings.

Her stories stretch from before the beginning of time to the present day. She takse her audience on this journey from the past to the present. It is a safe journey, and usually a fun one. When she performs she uses humour as much as possible, with the reminder that laughter is healing. Tears are also healing, and some stories evoke these as well. Both are good.

Depending on the occasion, Roberta performs stories about Raven creating our world; stealing the light; getting salmon; bringing fire; meeting Salmon Woman; discovering other worlds; creating the first people; having a feast. She has several stories on other topics ranging from powerful women; a fisherman and a whale...there are too many to list.

She uses rattle, drum, and songs to enhance the stories, and usually alternates by telling a story, then singing a song. She often performs wearing my traditional Haida button robe and cedar hat. As she performs, she teaches some Haida words to her audience and shares some of the history and culture of her people.

Storytelling is not something I do for a hobby.  It is not just for the 'fun of it.'  It is is part of me.  My stories have made me who I am today.  They are an enormous part of my identity.  Though I did not choose storytelling - it chose me, I am honoured to be part of this beautiful art form.  It has healed me and made me complete.

Roberta has performed at venues in almost every province and territory of Canada including theatres, schools, universities, museums, libraries, conferences, festivals, community groups, homeless shelters and traditional feasts.

She also gives workshops on topics related to storytelling, aboriginal culture, youth empowerment, and healing.

Oct 2010