Native American storytelling festival this weekend

Independent Staff

GALLUP — Three Native American storytellers will be the featured guests at a storytelling festival in Gallup this weekend.

Navajo storyteller Sunny Dooley will be joined by Eldrena Douma of Laguna and Tewa/Hopi descent, and Tim Tingle of the Choctaw Nation at the Hané Festival A Native American Storytelling Gathering.

The festival will be Friday through Sunday, Feb. 16-18, at the First United Methodist Church, 1800 Red Rock Dr.

The Hané Festival gets its name from the Navajo word for story. According to event organizers, the festival is being presented during winter because that is the traditional season for Native American storytelling. It is during the winter season that most tribes begin retelling their stories because the earth is resting and restoring itself.

The festival schedule is as follows:

Friday, Feb. 16

• 6:30 p.m: Storytelling and Navajo Song Concert featuring all three storytellers; $5 admission

Saturday, Feb. 17
Admission for Saturday events: All day pass for $10 or $5 individual session fees

• 10 a.m: Midmorning Storytelling Session
  
  
• 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m: Tell-A-Fest Showcase for audience members to share short stories
  
  
• 1 p.m: Mid-afternoon Storytelling Session
  
  
• 6:30 p.m: Evening Session with Storytelling Concert

Sunday, Feb. 18

• 8:30 a.m: Contemporary Church Worship Service with guest Native American storyteller(s); no admission
  
  
• 10:45 a.m: Traditional Church Worship Service with guest Native American storyteller(s); no admission

For further information, call (505) 722-3000 or visit info@nativestorytellingfestival.com.