Paintings and beadwork of noted native storyteller Johnny Moses hangs at the Duwamish Longhouse & Cultural Center in West Seattle. He just released two new CD's, together called Medicine Songs of the Pacific Northwest. Fluent in eight Native languages including Duwamish, he performs his storytelling at the Longhouse Aug. 26. A storyteller since 1976, he gave the official blessing for the Duwamish Longhouse opening Jan. 3, 2009.

Johnny Moses, a Ballard resident, turned 50 July 10. He is a Tulalip Native American raised in the remote Nuu-chah-nulth village of Ohiat on the west coast of Vancouver Island, B.C. He was raised in the traditional ways by his grandparents. His traditional name is Whis.stem.men.knee (Walking Medicine Robe), and, according to his website, he carries the Si.Si.Wiss (sacred breath, sacred life) medicine teachings and healing ceremonies of his Northwest Coast people. He is also part Duwamish and a member of other tribes.

He has a B.A., Education, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, and has been a featured storyteller at Northwest Folklife Festival in Seattle, Talking Island Festival, Honolulu, New Orleans Jazz Festival, Wild Onion Festival, Chicago, Brooklyn Museum, the Universities of California, Colorado, Massachusetts, and more.

The West Seattle Herald spoke to Johnny Moses at the Duwamish Longhouse.

"Most people call our (native) stories our myth and lore," he said. "The elders all call our stories the teachings. It was a painless way of growing up. Instead of getting a spanking you were sat down and heard a story from an elder about what you did wrong and you had to figure out the meaning of the story.

"There were different characters. In this area mink and raven were always getting into trouble, but also were saviors, and needed. They made mistakes, but were not unwanted or imprisoned. You understand the stories of your own level of maturity. I still learn from the same stories I heard since I was a child."

He said he has noticed a resurgence of interest in Native storytelling by the younger generations, and that some retell older traditional stories, like The Story of Lady Lice, which he said a teen changed slightly from a longer, classic story.

He recited it:

"Not too long ago, in the 1970's, there lived Lady Lice and she was a sponge. One day Lady Lice got wet and she became self-absorbed. And that was the end of poor Lady Lice."

He said this story mirrors the theme that people in modern society have grown selfish, and that materialism should be shared.

"Today in our culture people are competitive, materialistic, and are more interested in saving yourself instead of helping your neighbor," he said. "I travel all over the United States and Canada and the wonderful thing about that is learning stories from other cultures and learning similarities, and we're all one tribe, the human tribe, and that's the teachings my grandmother and grandfather shared with us."

On the DVD American Indian Voices presents Johnny Moses, he explains with a skillful blend of light-heartedness and purpose, an aspect of the Native tongue.

"One of the reasons why we don't have a word for 'I' or 'me' is that it is a tonal language, and when you speak in the lowest tone, everyone around you automatically knows you are talking about yourself. One of the other reasons is that the grandmothers tell us 'your ego is so big you don't need a name'. Also, we do use the word 'we'. It is a better word to use in case you get in trouble. Then it is not just your fault. It is everybody's fault."

Johnny Moses Presents Medicine Songs of the NW
Fri., August 26, 6:30pm
Duwamish Longhouse & Cultural Center
4750 W. Marginal Way S.W.
206.431.1582

Admission is free