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Reference & Information line: 704-INFO (360-704-4636) in Olympia area or toll-free 1-800-562-6022.
TRL Web site: http://www.trlib.org

Media Contact: Leanne Ingle, Communications Specialist, (360) 704-4508.

Roger Fernandes will tell mythic stories of the Native tribes of the Puget Sound and the western Washington region in his presentation, "Star Babies and Whistling Grandmothers: Mythic Stories of the Puget Salish Tribes," at 7 p.m. Wednesday, November 10 at the Yelm Timberland Library. This Inquiring Mind series presentation is intended for an elementary through adult audience and is free of charge.

Fernandes tells myths that address universal questions of creation, how human beings came to be, the meaning of our existence, and the challenges that confront us as humans. He offers an understanding of the Native view of the world and how human beings are supposed to live in our unique environment.

A member of the Lower-Elwha Band of S'Klallam Indians, Fernandes is an artist and educator who has worked for over twenty years to bring attention to the uniqueness and spirituality of Puget Salish art and culture. He has taught American Indian History at high schools, conducted many presentations on Salish culture, and worked as a trainer on Native American culture for the REACH Center, a multi-cultural project that trains teachers nationwide.

For more information, the public can reach the Yelm Timberland Library at (360) 458-3374. The library is located at 210 Prairie Park Street, Yelm.

Timberland Regional Library serves the information, reading and lifelong learning needs of the Grays Harbor, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Thurston county public at 27 community libraries and 4 school-based cooperative library centers. The library system is funded by local property taxes. For information on any subject, the Thurston County public can telephone Timberland’s Central Reference Service librarians at 704-INFO (704-4636) or they can "Ask a Librarian" online at www.trlib.org. TTY users can contact the library at 1-800-603-6104. Anyone needing special accommodations to participate in a library’s program can contact the library 4 days in advance.

Revised 11/02/04