Explore the art of engaging youth in and out of the classroom through storytelling with renowned Native Storyteller Jack Dalton. A professional storyteller, writer, and teacher, Dalton has been honored by the World Indigenous Peoples' Conference on Education as a Distinguished Dignitary, and considered by many people around the world to be "The Storyteller." Jack has created and produced five theatrical works of storytelling, written a book, several plays and created curricula used in all levels of education.
This two-day interactive workshop for educators, guides, and natural and cultural history interpreters will be one not to forget. Participants will be both audience members and storytellers in turn as Jack weaves their stories with his, creating opportunities to learn and strengthen skills while immersed in the provocative landscape of the Kennicott Valley.
COST: $215/person if you register by April 23, 2011. $275 after April 23. WMC Members receive an additional 10% discount. Price includes dinner the first night, and camping and food storage facilities. Learn more below about lodging options. Partial scholarships are available.
CREDIT: 1 continuing education credit (ED 580) is available through Prince William Sound Community College for a $25 administrative fee.
About Jack Dalton
Rooted in Naparyarmiut (Hooper Bay), born in Bethel and raised in Anchorage, Alaska, Jack Dalton has grown up an ambassador between two worlds, his Yup'ik Inuit and European heritages. A professional storyteller, actor, writer, and teacher, Jack has been honored by the World Indigenous Peoples' Conference on Education as a Distinguished Dignitary, featured as the cover story for the premiere issue of First Alaskans magazine, and is considered by many people around the world, indigenous and non-native alike, to be "The Storyteller." He received one of the first Expressive Arts Grants from the Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum of the American Indian, and was featured as the first storyteller ever at the 2008 Cama-i Dance Festival in Bethel, Alaska. He has created and produced five theatrical works of epic storytelling, written a book, co-wrote and starred in the play Raven’s Radio Hour (which aired nationally in 2009), performed internationally in France, Norway, Denmark, New Zealand, at the National Multicultural Festival in Australia, and headlined the Scottish International Storytelling Festival. His play (co-authored by Allison Warden), Time Immemorial, premiered at Cyrano’s in April 2009, and was selected as part of The Autry National Center’s Native Voices Festival of New Plays and will be a full equity production at Native Voices in 2012. Cauyaqa Nauwa?: Where Is My Drum? is his first “musical/opera”, co-written with Stephan Blanchett, will premiere in March 2011. Assimilation is his fourth play.
Location and Venue
This course is a Wrangell Mountains Center (WMC) program. The WMC is aprivate nonprofit institute which fosters understanding, appreciation, and stewardship of wildlands and mountain culture in Alaska through scientific and artistic inquiry in the Wrangell Mountains. The workshop is based at the WMC's headquarters in the Old Hardware Store in McCarthy, Alaska. The town of McCarthy is set in the heart of Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve, the largest national park in the U.S. Over 23% larger than Switzerland, Wrangell-St. Elias is world renowned for its wild landscapes, high peaks, massive glaciers and rivers, healthy ecosystems, dramatic scenery, and unique cultural history.
McCarthy is approximately a seven hour drive from either Anchorage or Fairbanks (plus time for sightseeing, et cetera) by way of Copper Center, Chitina, and the famed McCarthy Road (significantly improved by Alaska DOT in the last few years). It's also possible to fly or arrange shuttles from Anchorage to McCarthy.
McCarthy and neighboring Kennecott, a national historic landmark, are situated within the Kennicott Valley (note the different spellings between the natural features and historical features.) McCarthy and Kennecott serve locals and travelers alike as a gateway to world-class backcountry opportunities and amazing frontcountry hikes and walks (including access to the Root Glacier); the Kennicott Valley also provides a window into some of the most unique chapters in Alaska's history and an authentic, lively contemporary community.
The course will take students into the field, and is based in the WMC's headquarters, the Old Hardware Store. Built in 1911 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Hardware Store serves as a cozy, atmospheric place to learn and share, and is located just a half mile from the toe of the twenty-five-mile-long Kennicott Glacier.
Meals & Accommodations
The price includes dinner on the first night for students. You and your family are invited to dine with use for an extra $25/person per day, or pay a small fee per meal. In keeping with the WMC's commitment to cooperative
living and sustainable systems, students are invited to contribute to clean-up of meals. Every effort will be made to accomm
odate dietary restrictions with advance notice.
Primitive camping is available for free to participants at a private (and beautiful) site just a short walk from the WMC. Those who opt for camping are welcome to store gear at the WMC and use our rustic shower and facilities there. If you choose to camp, WMC staff will direct you to thecampsite and orient you there upon your arrival.
Other lodging options within McCarthy include the full service McCarthy Lodge and Lancaster's Backpacker Hotel, located just down the street. The Kennicott River Lodge and Hostel is another great option outside of town; it's a short bicycle ride or twenty minute walk each way. If you bring a vehicle with you, Currant Ridge Cabins is located on the McCarthy Road about three miles from the road's end; it's about a half mile walk between the parking area there and the Old Hardware Store. Free shuttles run between the river and McCarthy on a rotation with limited hours. If you bring a camper in or would otherwise like to camp out with your vehicle, there are two commercial campgrounds near the end of the McCarthy Road that will accomodate you without advance reservations.
Register for Telling Alaska's Stories
To register, please mail in this completed form with a $60 deposit. Balance due May 20th. Instructions are included in the form. If you have questions or would prefer to pay online with a credit card, email jeremy@wrangells.org or call (907) 244-7717. We're also pleased to offer an additional 10% discount to current Wrangell Mountains Center members.
Cost: $215/person if you register by April 23, 2011. $275 after April 23. Current WMC Members receive an additional 10% discount. Price includes dinner the first night, and optional camping and food storage facilities. Partial scholarships are available. Your family is invited to dine with us for an extra $25/person per day or pay a small fee per meal.
When: Saturday, June 4th: 5:30pm- 8:30pm
(includes dinner); Sunday June 5th: 9am-4:30pm; Monday June 6th:
9am-12pm.
Credit: One continuing education credit (ED 580)
available through Prince William Sounds Community College for a $25
administrative fee.
Questions: For more information please
email info@wrangells.org.
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Come early! We are pleased to offer two fantastic educator workshops back-to-back. Take one or both of them. "The Art of Storytelling: Teaching Natural History & Native Culture through Storytelling", with Jack Dalton, will be preceeded by Alaska Natural History for Educators: Tools and Content for Engaging Youth in the Natural World taught by Lilly Goodman-Allright; that workshop begins with dinner on June 4th and concludes at noon on June 6th.
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to Natural History for Educators workshop