About The Kalapuya: History and Stories
Presented by Esther Stutzman, Turtle Island Storyteller
Join us to learn the little-known history of the Kalapuya people
in the Willamette Valley. The Kalapuya were once the largest tribal group in
Western Oregon and this presentation describes historical events leading up to
the present day. Many of the tribal stories remain and are integrated into the
history of the Kalapuya as a way to remember the original inhabitants.
Traditional songs are also a part of the presentation, as the belief is that
stories and songs connect the history of the people.
About the Speaker:
Esther Stutzman is a native Oregonian and traditional American
Indian storyteller of Kalapuya/Coos heritage. She is a descendant of the
Headman Camafeema of the Komemma/Kalapuya and an enrolled member of the
Confederated Tribes of Siletz.
Esther works with Title VII Indian Education programs and Arts in
Education Programs throughout the state of Oregon as a cultural resource
specialist with children as well as with teacher in-service programs. She is
the primary storyteller for the American Indian theatre group, Mother Earth’s
Children, that has performed for school assemblies and a variety of events and
conferences for the past 40 years.
She has been a long-time presenter for the Oregon Chautauqua
History Series and a recipient of Oregon Historical Society Folk Life awards.
In 2017, Esther was awarded the Oregon Governor’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
She also teaches storytelling workshops, local Native history and
American Indian music seminars for many regional and national music teachers’
associations. Esther is a frequent lecturer at universities and colleges in the
Pacific Northwest.
