Ravenspeaker
Native Storytelling, Choreography and Cultural Events Planning
Who is Ravenspeaker?
Ravenspeaker is the stage name for Robert Frederiksen an Alaskan Tsimshian storyteller of the Raven Clan. He was born and raised in Seattle, Washington and has travelled all over North America as a recognized Culture Bearer for the Northwest Coast’s First Peoples.
Storytelling
He began by accident as a teenager when a group of dancers needed someone to fill time on stage between sets. Although considered very young at the time he proved worthy of the honor by crafting a spell binding version of the Culture’s most famous legend ‘The Box of Daylight’. He very quickly found himself in demand as a stand alone performer and brought his talents to conventions, businesses, festivals and other gatherings all over the Pacific Northwest.
With his obvious stage presence he was offered roles in such films and Television Programs as “The Spirit of the Eagle”, “The Creative Native” and even appeared in several local theater productions. To this day Ravenspeaker is one of two featured storytellers in the Burke Museum’s storytelling exhibit.
Choreography
Ravenspeaker has created songs and dances for some of the Northwest Coast’s most well known Native Dance troupes. Most notably he was one of the founders of Tsimshian Hayuuk, created and directed the Children of the Mist Youth Dance Team and helped organize Lugulm Goodm of Vancouver BC. His proudest achievement in this medium was the fusion of ballet and traditional Northwest Coast Indian Dance in “Seattle’s Fantastic Shoppe” with the late John Wilkins of the Olympic Ballet Theater.
Events Planning
Ravenspeaker assisted in the planning of several Potlatches in Washington, Alaska and Canada. He took the lead in organizing Potlatches for the Muckelshoot Tribal School and for Indian Heritage High School.
He also created the Northwest Coast cultural component of the Seattle Aquarium’s Salmon Homecoming Celebration and ran that event for several years from 1996 through 2001.
Other Data:
His ceremonial name is Ma’alsgm Gaak (Raven Narrates). He has one son, Jade, of the Eagle Clan (Most Northwest Coast Natives reckon lineage through the maternal line) who is learning storytelling and dance at the tender age of ten and is also available for certain venues.
Ravenspeaker can be contacted at 425.329.9830 or by email at ravenspeaker@msn.com
Toiksn ada saa aam hla waan. (Thank you and may your good name go with you)
Make No Bones About It 