Tell Me a Story

Mid-America All-Indian Museum
  • Erin Raux, Museum Director, Mid-America All-Indian Museum
  • April Scott, Executive Director, Mid-America All-Indian Museum
  • Michelle Conine, Education Coordinator, Mid-America All-Indian Museum

Project Description

We are a museum dedicated to educating people about and preserving the heritage of the American Indian for future generations. As part of our mission, we have created our TELL ME A STORY studio. In Native culture, stories are told to educate children about cultural morals and values. When someone ceases to tell a story, part of the cultural knowledge is gone.

We will interview elders and invite them to share stories of their childhood, their challenges, victories and thoughts on life. We will then branch out to record the intergenerational conversations of families.

Our goal is to build on the knowledge people have about American Indians, challenge stereotypes and address the difficulties experienced by many Native people. Indian history is not always pleasant to hear, but the stories need to be told so we can all reach a place of understanding.

We plan to archive the complete interviews and place short versions on social media, YouTube and the website.

Partner Details

  • Erin Raux

    Museum Director, Mid-America All-Indian Museum

    Bio

    Erin Raux has served as the Curator for the Mid-America All-Indian Museum since 2018. She received a Bachelor’s of Fine Art with an emphasis in ceramics from Wichita State University in 2008. In 2016 she earned a Master’s degree of Fine Art with an emphasis in sculpture from The University of Oklahoma. When she’s not in the museum vault rummaging around, she can be found outdoors with her husband, daughter, and mini pit-bull.

  • April Scott

    Executive Director, Mid-America All-Indian Museum

    Bio

    Executive Director. Fiber artist. Many chapters and journeys. Only the stories remain. She believes that stories are what truly matters.

  • Michelle Conine

    Education Coordinator, Mid-America All-Indian Museum

    Bio

    Michelle Conine, descended from Shawnee, Delaware and Cherokee, is an enrolled member of the Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma. As an Elder, she is an active participant in her tribe’s ceremonies and in the Wichita native community. She has served as a cultural classes teacher, a board member and for the last four years, the Education Director at the Mid-America All-Indian Museum in Wichita, Kansas. She has raised her three children and now her seven grandchildren to respect and know their native culture.