Aaron Bell
First Nation Curriculum Design

HISTORY of Ojibway Storyteller
Aaron Bell

From a very early age, Aaron Bell, Ojibway Storyteller displayed many talents in the arts.  Throughout his young life, Aaron put to paper everything he could which eventually led to Sheridan College for Classical Animation as well as Mohawk College for Graphic Arts Production.

Aaron soon realized that drawing was not what he wished to do with his life.  After leaving college, he gained employment at many First Nations organizations from the Woodland Cultural Centre to Kanata Native Traditional Village in Brantford, Ontario.  This is when his journey began to lead him into other forms of art, from acting to set design and eventually to the gifts of First Nations Storytelling…

Aaron has shared his gifts of First Nations storytelling to critical acclaim from both teachers and students. His engagements are entertaining as well as educational. His presence captures the imaginations of all audience members, young and old, through his use of voice, stage awareness and confidence. The true art form of the First Nations Storyteller is realized within his presentations. One thing that distinguishes Aaron from other performers is his true caring within what he is doing. From the moment Aaron takes to the stage, audience members are immediately aware something special is going to happen.

His travels have led him on many paths throughout his life, but this is what he loves to do… which is share the teachings and the culture of the First Nations people of Southern Ontario with those who wish to learn through the magic of the spoken word, drama and humour.

Accomplishments: 

• 2009 Dundurn Publishing based out of Toronto, Ontario approached Aaron about creating a book for young adults. "Jak's Story" is the first of hopefully four more books, each named after one of his children. "Jak's Story" will be available at your local bookstore or through this website September 4th, 2010.
   
• 2008 Prologue to the Performing Arts requested to see a performance with White Pine Dancers and offered to sign the dance troupe to a year contract on the spot. Their first year with Prologue To The Performing Arts (2009 - 2010), White Pine Dancers and Aaron Bell, Ojibway Storyteller performed for approximately 30 schools in the Greater Toronto Area. They have been again signed for the 2010 - 2011 school season.
   
• 15 years of sharing the story’s and culture of the First Nations people
   
• Administrator of Gonrah Desgohwah White Pine Dancers
   
• 2007, chosen as one of three storytellers to represent Ontario during the Canadian Book Week, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
   
• 2 Storytelling Cd’s, “How The Oceans Became Salty” and “Painted Imagination”
   
• 2005, Created Ojibway Storyteller as a sole proprietorship business.
   
• 2004, Guest Speaker, Mysterious Canada
   
• 1999 – 2004, Kanata Native Traditional Village, Assistant Manager of Aboriginal Tourism Business.
   
• 2003, Winner of Individual Arts and Culture Award, Brantford’s Shining Stars Tourism Awards.
   
• 2003, Principal Actor, The War That Made America, Pittsburgh, Ohio
   
• 2003, Principal Actor, Narrator, Storyteller, “Ohio: One State, Many Nations” P.B.S. Ohio.
   
• 2002, Winner of the Canadian Tourism Commissions, Best Winter Cultural Experience Curriculum Designer and Facilitator, Kanata Village, Brantford, Ontario) 
   
• 2002, Principal Storyteller, Opening night, Toronto Festival of Storytelling
   
• 1999, Created Gonrah Desgohwah White Pine Dance Troupe with Garret Jones 

In the spring of 2008, Aaron welcomed Jak Malcom Steven Bell to his family. Aaron now has five kids, Daxxon, Kierra, Chelsey, Joey and Jak. He continues to dream the undying dream that the Toronto Maple Leafs will one day win the Stanley Cup...

Although my partner has chosen a different path, I would like to wish her a safe and happy journey. I would also like to wish her extended family Many Nya : weh's and Chi Miigwich for all of their help during our times of need. No matter what other people say or think, I remember and appreciate your love and support. I certainly hope that you remember me in the same way. You will always be my extended family.

Aaron Bell is not a “Traditional Storyteller”. Aaron shares his gift of First Nations storytelling in his own unique way. A Traditional Storyteller knows and shares the story’s of his or her people word for word in the oral tradition during ceremony’s and recognized times throughout the year for both the Haudenosaunee and Anishinabae Peoples. For a more traditional perspective of any First Nations story’s you must contact a local Elder from your local First Nations Community.

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