LIFE GIVES TO LIFE
Be transported back in time through the mysterious
power of stories to better understand a vibrant culture still among us.
Internationally acclaimed storyteller, Neeake, is an Olammapise (Truth Teller) of the Shawandasse (Shawnee).
He holds the ancient and modern stories of his people as a sacred trust that expresses the balance of all life and the gift that each life is to the other.
They are bibadinsawawachitah, the proper way to walk upon the earth.
Neeake has been sharing the stories of his people since 1971. The stories are an oral tradition that has been handed down from one generation to the next for centuries. The stories include history, music, humor, cultural perspectives, words as art, and ecology.
PROGRAM DETAILS
The stories touch all of the disciplines of education and are a powerful way to share the insights of the connected circle that is life with children and adults. Neeake is available for storytelling programs, living history events, storytelling festivals, and storytelling workshops across the United States and internationally. Advance planning is required for extensive travel.
A typical program of traditional stories and music is 60 to 90 minutes with time for questions. Programs are adaptable to particular learning goals. Neeake dresses in the traditional Shawnee attire of 1780 with the accoutrements of a man of peace. He brings everything necessary for the program to your site except an amplification system. If one is needed, a lapel microphone is required. Audience sizes may range from 20 to thousands. Fees and expenses are set at the time of the contract.
EXPERIENCE
Neeake has shared the wonder of stories since 1971 with many elementary, middle, and high schools; universities and colleges; graduate schools; wildlife conservation groups; churches; historical societies, museums, and foundations; and international groups. He has been a featured storyteller at national storytelling celebrations such as the St. Louis Storytelling Festival. He was one of ten American Indian storytellers for the first-ever national Native American Indian storytelling festival at Corn Island.
Neeake has worked with the Cincinnati Zoo for many years in their Wildlife Discovery Days event which has provided wildlife and environmental education for thousands of children. He also has spoken on Thane Maynard's NINETY SECOND NATURALIST on Public Radio and has worked with Mr. Maynard and Kathleen Stewart on a CD as part of an eagle curriculum produced by the Cincinnati Zoo.
Fred has worked closely with the Cat Ambassador Program at the Cincinnati Zoo, photographing and writing a book entitled Brothers of the Wind in 2006, the proceeds of which benefit the Angel Fund for cheetah conservation. A second cheetah story, The Running Wind, has been made into a short film by Ancient Voices Productions that debuted at the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival. To learn about Ancient Voices Productions and see a preview of the film, go to:
In recognition of his work, Neeake is included in Thane Maynard's book, WORKING WITH WILDLIFE, a select who's who of experts in the varied fields of wildlife education, care, art, and research.
In addition, Neeake is a Rocky Mountain and Grand Canyon backpack trip leader who shares the natural world in an intimate way with small groups in the wilderness.
Neeake has been recognized by the National Trust for Historical Preservation, a host of museums and educational institutions, and international groups for cultural understanding. His favorite evaluation is from a first grader, "I like you. You're nice!"
PRAISE FOR THE PROGRAMS
"I like you. You're nice!"
--A first grader
"It has been a delight to work with you on all events. Your professionalism and flexibility to deal both with the general public & the experts in prehistoric & historic Indian peoples is a wonderful gift. That, coupled with your ability to totally captivate an audience, enriches the Museum's reputation for offering quality education programs." --Cincinnati Museum of Natural History
“...a kindred spirit. One-of-a-kind.”
--Bill Moyers
"Our members are nearly always attentive, but I don't know when I have seen them listen with such interest & become so involved." --Greene County Hist. Soc., Xenia, OH
“THANK YOU FOR SUCH A WONDERFUL REMINDER THAT WE ARE ALL LOVED AND CHERISHED AND THAT WE SHOULD CHERISH EACH OTHER.”
--Grace U.M. Church, Dayton, OH
“Your presentation was truly moving and provided a very special and needed perspective on how Native Americans view their cultural heritage. Your participation was singled out as a valuable addition to the programming.” --The National Trust for Historical Preservation, Washington, D.C.
“The strength of your program is in teaching a reverence for all life.”
--Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens
BIOGRAPHY
Neeake, whose name means "He-Talks-as-He-Flies" or the Canada Goose, also is known as Fred A. Shaw. Fred was raised on a farm in Muskingum County, OH, where one of his Shawnee ancestors changed his name and bought a land grant deed. The local neighbors committed perjury by witnessing to it.
Fred is a summa cum laude graduate of Ohio University and a member of Phi Beta Kappa among other honors. He holds a Master of Divinity Degree from the Methodist Theological School in Ohio. Rev. Shaw retired from local church ministry on December 31, 2010.
Fred and Nancy (Eppley) were united in marriage in 1970. They have two children. Ross, an honors graduate of Ohio University, is a social studies & history teacher. Ross and Erin are the parents of a girl and a boy. Anne, an honors graduate of Northern Kentucky University and a former trainer and
educator working with many bird species and big cats, is a deputy sheriff in Pinellas County, Florida. Anne and Bill are the parents of two sons.
Fred, Anne, and Nancy at Colonial
Williamsburg, VA.
Photographs (c) Fred A. Shaw
Special thanks to Dave Jenike for the photo of Neeake and the redtail hawk.