The Storyteller

Truman's story is the seasoned voice of a Kiowa elder sharing wisdom gained by a journey marked by much hardship and difficulty. From his early years at boarding school to the battlefields of World War II, his life has not been easy. Yet, he is an overcomer.

Linda spent the early days of her life away from her family because of a medical condition. As she grew older, she discovered another condition in her life that needed attention. Living life her way only led to fear, abuse, and pain.

When his wife became ill, they called a preacher to come and pray for her healing. While he was with them, he turned to Kim and asked him to pray for Linda. It was a challenging moment for Kim because he didn't have the relationship with God that he so desperately needed.

Just after a weekend of partying and I was looking to go to work, possibly on the next Monday morning, I was sitting there in the yard of my cousin's house. I was sitting there and I thought to myself, "There's got to be something better..."

With her kids taken away, her mom gone, and with no place to turn, Josephine found herself, lost, hopeless, and alone. She was standing at the junction looking to catch a ride but she didn't know which way to go. It was there in that desperate moment on the side of the road that she cried out to God. She said, "take this desire away to drink... and put a new desire in my heart"... and He did.

Josephine grew up in a home where her mother was careful about who her kids were around. But eventually Josephine found a way to be with her friends. She ended getting into trouble with alcohol in a way that would change her life. It's a path that many are familiar with. Listen to part one of her amazing story about how God saved her and set her free.

Robert was caught up in the gang life, so he was used to violence. But at some point he realized that there had to be to life than what he was living. One night he had a dream that would get his attention. He then began a quest that would change everything.

Robert was born on the Oneida reservation in Wisconsin but - because of the Indian Relocation Act - spent his growing-up years in Chicago. It was there that he learned to drink and fight. He would discover though that it was an empty life.

Victoria put her trust in Jesus early in life. When she got to high school, though, she began to party with family and friends. This continued this while in university until she finally saw how useless it all was.

Chester found out that, just because Jesus saves us from our past and gives us hope for the future, life can still be hard. Difficult challenges and choices are part of the journey. For Chester, this included something he was never able to do before... forgive his father for years of abuse and neglect.

The hate that Chester had harbored for his father since childhood was driving him to drink, despair, and death. Through the intervention of an understanding judge and a caring friend, Chester would have another opportunity to face his self-destructive behavior and pursue a new life.

Chester grew up in Eel Ground First Nation. His troubled childhood left him with deep hurt and a miserable existence. He tried to end his life. Thankfully, he wasn't successful. Listen to part one of his story which helps set the background for his inspiring journey of overcoming alcoholism and hate.

Sophronia's life from early childhood was marked by anger at being shipped off to boarding school. Then alcohol took over after her mother died. When she 'found Jesus', she told everyone how SHE had won over the battle over alcohol, but until she recognized that true and total victory is only found in Jesus, she discovered that she really wasn't free.

Paul is a full-blooded Aleut, born in Egegik in 1935. In part 2 of his story, he shares about one of his life's most difficult moments. He lost his precious daughter Jewell to cancer while she was a college student. We understand though that words cannot describe the pain of losing a child that you have loved and cared for. How does one cope with such a loss? Paul was able to because of the hope and peace he had found before she passed away.

Paul is a full-blooded Aleut, born in Egegik in 1935. Growing up, he lived in the village of Kanatik during the winter. But in the Springtime his family would walk over the mountain and cross the lake called Becharof to go back to Egegik in order to make ends meet. Like this journey, his early life was filled with difficult challenges... but he was an ambitious young man.

The Storyteller New Years Special with Tom Claus (Mohawk) New Years Eve is a very special time in the Claus family. It was on that night many years ago on the Six Nations reserve that the family gathered together around the radio and heard a message that would change their lives forever. Listen as Tom reflects on the significance of that day. This is a Storyteller Classic!

From the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota, Chug and Karen Garreau welcome us into their home as they share Christmas memories and the true story of the greatest gift ever given. There was a time they didn’t know the significance, but now they do, and it’s changed everything. If you’ve ever wondered if there’s anything to it, make sure to join us for this special Christmas edition of The Storyteller.

Janet continues her story... sharing about how she was strong-willed but came to realize that she couldn't do everything on her own. Years later she found herself in a relationship and pregnant. Against her boyfriends' wishes she decided to keep her baby. That choice would ultimately change her life forever.

Janet grew up on the Navajo reservation in Arizona. In her youth, she was an ambitious and self-reliant young girl who was not afraid to make tough choices. Maybe that's because of growing up with alcohol where she came face to face with fear, neglect, and abuse.

It was a News Years Eve Thomas would never forget. It happened at the gang's clubhouse. He tried to get drunk but he couldn't. He tried to get high but he couldn't. He became a spectator though to those who had, and what he saw deeply disturbed him. He was ashamed about what happened there that night. It was the beginning of the end.

Thomas grew up angry and bitter. He ended up spending time in the Manitoba Youth Centre where he got into a lot of fights. Because he was good at it, he was encouraged to get into boxing. It was an outlet for his anger. Eventually, he became a gang enforcer.

Have you ever wondered if anyone really loved you? Have you ever felt abandoned? These were issues that Milt wrestled with because his father walked out. His wounded heart became angry. Eventually, Milt's anger almost cost him his own family. But then a miracle happened.

She wondered what the point of life was... why should she go on living. She contemplated suicide, reasoning that it made more sense to leave than to stay. Edna shares candidly about her life, and what kept her going.

Edna grew up in Pedro Bay, Alaska. Her father died when she was five. At age 14, she took on a commercial fishing venture for the family. Then her mother died. Life was challenging for this young gal. But there was much yet ahead of her.

"We've always been people of Storying", Eddie says. He shares a story that his momma told him about a turtle. The lesson was not lost on him. Then he shares another story - the most important story any of us will ever hear. It's a story that each of us needs to take to heart.

Eddie grew up with a dad who drank. He always knew that his daddy loved him though he never heard the words. One day something happened in his daddy's life that would effect everyone in the family. Daddy was different... he was changed.

As a young person, Eddie was afraid of dying. He didn't know much about it. One day he went to Sunday School where his aunt was teaching and she talked to him about death and what happens after that.

Larry recalls hard times... fearful times that would leave bitter memories of his youth. But he tells about how he was able to forgive - not in his own strength - but in the strength he found in God. Forgiveness is a powerful thing... something that God offers to each of us, no matter what we've done.

Larry grew up in the Eel Ground Reserve on the banks of the Miramichi River in New Brunswick. He became a Native Constable on the reserve and saw a lot of pain and heartache. But it wasn't something he observed from a distance.

Mitch thought that he and God were on good terms. After all, Mitch was doing all the right things. But when he was confronted with the truth that all his good works were not going to help him on the day he stood before God, Mitch was very concerned.

Mitch was raised going to church. He was good at doing what he thought was expected when people were looking. But when He joined the Navy he lived liked no one was looking. After the service he returned home and to doing the things he thought were good in God's eyes. But in his heart Mitch sensed that something wasn't right.

Larry shares of his bout with depression and suicidal thoughts. It was during that time he realized that he needed to get serious in his relationship with Jesus. He knew that he had to stay close to Him to make it through.

Larry was born in Winslow, Arizona and eventually made his way to Tuba City. He is half Hopi and half Navajo. Larry's story is unique, and so is the way he tells it!

There are things that money can't buy. It can't buy love, peace, or real friends. But money was what Rick pursued. He worked hard and put his relationship with his Creator aside. It affected his family too... but it all came apart though when Rick was injured.

Rick grew up on a farm in Oklahoma. It was a good life for him. In his youth, he realized that there was something more to this life. He believed that there was a superior being and recognized the need to be right with God. And so in 1968 he made the most important decision of his life. That's were his relationship began with his Creator.

Velma shares the rest of her story about how she ended up in Bible school, adjusted to a new culture, and what it was like to live with someone who drank. She offers hope to those who are struggling.

Velma is from Goodfish Lake, Alberta. It was a hard life, but it was good. She grew up in a log house and lived off the land. They had wild meat, a garden, cows, and chickens. "We all had to work to survive." Her mother kept things going at home and had a significant impact on Velma's life.

Growing up in the village can be difficult. There are many influences that can bring a person down. That could have been George's story... but it wasn't. Listen as he shares how he was able to rise above the darkness.

No one feels the pain more than a loving parent when their child dies. Wes didn’t know that when his son walked out the door that day that he would never come home. That evening he found out that his son had died in a fiery crash. Wes shares how they made it through this tragedy.

Wes had gotten sick. No one could figure out what was wrong... and it went on and on. Relatives began to wonder if Indian medicine was involved. More than his physical illness though, Wes had a spiritual sickness... and it's consequences were far greater than his poor health.

"I went up to the car and snatched the car door open and told him get out. Well when he got out, he came out with a 357 magnum. And when he pulled the gun the buddies I had left me and I'm standing there by myself. And he placed the gun on my forehead, and he cocked it, and he said I will blow your brains out. Me - I didn't care... I didn't care."

Don was born on the Tuscarora reservation in New York. His parents split up when he was young and for a time ended up living off the reservation. He was also acquainted with the unique sport of Fire Ball. As you'll hear, those were interesting days. But the most significant event of his life took place at camp.

A miracle happened the day. Everything changed. Some might say that he chose the white man's religion. Gary says no. Jesus came for all people. The change that came into his life, and the life of his family - is pretty challenging evidence to ignore.

Gary recorded this shortly after he was told he only had weeks to live. Gary's faith in Jesus is unwavering. And when you hear how he came to that faith, you will understand why. BTW, the doctor was wrong.

"Ten horse is not fast enough for going, 22 foot long wooden boat", Sam said as he recalled the moments after his side had been laid open by a shotgun blast. When your injury is grave and your situation is dire, inadequate power is not what you need.