Experience a Native American View of American History Nov. 8 with Brian “Fox” Ellis at RIPL: Acclaimed historian and storyteller Brian “Fox” Ellis wraps up the final program in a series of live history presentations with a look at one Native American’s perspective of history on Wed., Nov. 8 at the Rock Island Watts-Midtown Branch library.

The live “History . . . in Person” program, "Black Hawk's View of American History," is presented from 6 pm to 7:30 pm, on Wed., Nov. 8 at the Watts-Midtown Branch, 2715 30^th Street. The program is connected both with the year-long 150^th anniversary celebration of the Rock Island Public Library and Native American Heritage Month.

In Black Hawk’s View of American History, Ellis asks guests to imagine sitting around a campfire with Black Hawk (Ma-ka-tai-me-she-kiuk-kiuk), listening to the stories of creation and the legends of Black Hawk’s grandfathers. Drawing from Black Hawk’s autobiography and his knowledge of American Indian creation stories, Fox portrays the reporter who transcribed and published Black Hawk’s life story.

Fox weaves history with folklore to draw his audience into the world view of this respected leader of his people. His presentation includes traditional chants and drumming songs, and a few social dances. Ellis is part Cherokee and has studied with Elders from several tribes. He has performed at powwows and Native gatherings across Turtle Island (a name for North America used by some Indigenous peoples.) In recent years he was invited to perform at the Apple River Fort for their commemoration of the Black Hawk War and for a group of Sauk and Fox Elders at the Black Hawk Museum in Rock Island. He has presented at the Trail of Tears Museum in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains and at the Assiniboine Reservation for a conference on Seeing the Prairie Through Native Eyes.

The event is free and open to the public, and does not require registration. It is suitable for all audiences.The series of live history programs was made possible by a sponsorship from a generous donor in recognition of the Library’s 150^th anniversary year of November 2022 through November 2023.

For details, and news about many more library events and services, visit the library website, call 309-732-READ, or follow Rock Island Library on Facebook and Instagram.

About our Speaker: Brian "Fox" Ellis has been regaling audiences for more than 35 years. He is an internationally acclaimed author, storyteller, historian, and naturalist. He has worked with The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, The Field Museum and dozens of other museums across the country. Fox is also the Artistic Director for Prairie Folklore Theatre, a unique theatre company that celebrates ecology and history through original musical theatre productions. He is the author of 16 books including the critically-acclaimed Learning From the Land: Teaching Ecology Through Stories and Activities, (Libraries Unlimited, 2011), the award-winning children’s picture book The Web at Dragonfly Pond, (DAWN Publications, 2006) and Content Area Reading, Writing and Storytelling (Teacher Ideas Press 2010). Many of his stories are also available on one of 12 CDs. He and his wife run a Bed and Breakfast in Bishop Hill, Illinois, The Twinflower Inn.