In Ojibwe culture, the winter storytelling season continues as long as snow remains on the ground.

On February 25, the University of Wisconsin-Superior honored this tradition by inviting local storyteller Micheal Charette (Laughing Fox) to share Ojibwe histories and music with students, faculty, and community members.

Charette is a member of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. As an artist, storyteller and musician, his performances showcase his talent as a flute player, which he uses to complement his stories.

“I first started by playing the flute in the woods for two years,” Charette recalls. “Then I began performing on street corners, where I noticed the music was affecting people. They would slow down and listen. Some of the people who stopped were educators who invited me into their classrooms.”

Charette soon began performing across North America. He recalls previous visits to UW-Superior, first as a member of the Woodland Sky Native American Dance Company and later as a solo performer.

“We have to use these platforms that the schools give us,” Charette says. “I always hope that we educate and enlighten people about Indigenous issues.”

The stories of the night followed the chronological history of the Ojibwe people. Participants first heard creation stories, then tales of the famous woodland trickster. By the end of the night, the group was addressing current events.

“It’s important for us to look back and pay homage to those who have come before us,” Charette says. “Without them, their stories, and their hardships, we wouldn’t be here. We aren’t the only people who have done this – people from all over Mother Earth have gathered in this same way, no matter where they come from.”

Charette’s ability to make the audience laugh was just as strong as his skill in moving their hearts. When combined with the music from his flute, the experience became both heartfelt and educational.

Charette owns over 20 flutes in his collection. The audience was introduced to the traditional flute, a small fife, and an ancient-style double flute.

“Music is truly the great communicator,” Charette says. “People take a moment to absorb whatever medicine is in the music, taking in the vibrations and feelings. It inspires me to keep sharing.

This free event was sponsored by the Indigenous Cultures Resource Center and the Department of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion as part of UWS’s Indigenous Storytelling Week.

By Olivia Fleming, an English major and student writer for UWS.