TellTale: Dakota Folklife and Stories is a collection of narratives describing the shared personal experiences and lore of life on the North Dakota plains. 

From stories of blizzards, to the man who climbed atop a windmill to play his accordion, to the fate of Poker Jim, they originate from, and are shaped by, interviews with senior citizens, many of whom are from elder care facilities.      

As a special part of the Art for Life Program, which seeks to improve the emotional and physical health of elders through intensive art and artist interaction, these small group interviews take place around shared experiences, culture, and beliefs. The storytelling process of the elders is designed to address loneliness, social isolation, memory loss, and sense of worth.  Other interviews were collected from participants of the agency’s Folk and Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program as well as traditionalists identified through fieldwork. From Germans-from-Russia folk singers and American Indian storytellers…  Watch for new additions! Enjoy a glimpse into the folklife – and the heart – of North Dakota!

TellTale: Dakota Folklife and Stories Audio Synopses are available via this link. 

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Musical Collaboration with Chuck Suchy

The Art for Life Program seeks to improve the emotional and physical health of elders, many of whom are in elder care facilities, through intensive art and artist interaction. The winter of 2020 saw the advent of COVID-19 and subsequent measures to curtail its impact. Among the worst affected were our elders quarantined in care facilities. To help combat the stress, loneliness, and other negative health factors associated with this time, art activities were redesigned to align with physical distancing and other safety factors while still generating meaningful, impactful interaction. One such effort was beautifully done by Chuck Suchy, a talented and highly respected folk singer, musician, and songwriter from rural Mandan, ND. 

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Chuck called elders on the phone and visited with them about their lives, thoughts, and experiences. Using words of inspiration generated from those conversations, four songs were written, performed, and recorded to be shared with those elders, their families, and others with those organizations and in those communities. As a collection and collaborative effort with the elders, these four songs reveal strength, humor, and wisdom during these difficult times. 

1. We Worked with Horses, was inspired by conversations from Jamestown,

2. Listen to the Wise, from Enderlin, 

3. At the Center, from Bismarck, and

4. How Will I Know Your Heart, from Bismarck