Southeastern's Native American Symposium Features Author Tim Tingle

by SOUTHEASTERN PUBLIC INFORMATION
November 4, 2008

DURANT, Okla. -- Southeastern Oklahoma State University's Native American Symposium Insights 2008 will present noted Choctaw author and storyteller Tim Tingle Wednesday, Nov. 12.

Tingle, an award-winning member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, will deliver a reading of his work accompanied by flutist Greg Rodgers.

The program is scheduled for 9 a.m. in the Fine Arts Little Theater on the SE campus. The reading will be followed by a "Meet the Author" session in the Native American Room of the Henry G. Bennett Library at 10 a.m.

There is no admission charge and the public is invited to attend.

Tingle is in demand as a storyteller whose great-great-grandfather, John Carnes, walked the Trail of Tears in 1835. Passed-down memories of this family epic fueled Tingle's early interest in writing and storytelling.

He now performs his lively Rabbit trickster tales and compelling historical stories for students from kindergarten to college at campuses throughout the United States and Canada.

From 2002 to the present, he has performed a traditional Choctaw story before Chief Gregory Pyle's Annual State of the Nation address at the tribal gathering in Tushkahoma, Okla., a Choctaw reunion that attracts more than 30,000 people.

Tingle has also completed 11 speaking and storytelling tours for the U.S. Department of Defense, performing for children of military personnel in Germany.

He has performed as a featured storyteller in festivals covering a 35-state area, including the National Storytelling Festival.

In 2004, he founded the Choctaw Storytelling Festival that draws Choctaws of all ages for several days of sharing memories and traditions.

In 2007, Tingle received the prestigious Notable Book Club Award given by the American Library Association for "Crossing Bok Chitto." He has also earned Book of the Year awards in Oklahoma and Alaska.