OSAC Performing Arts in Schools

Kung Jaadee (Roberta Kennedy) is a professional Indigenous storyteller, educator (BA and BEd) and

published author who has been sharing stories for 30-plus years across Canada. She belongs to the X̱aayda (Haida), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wúmesh (Squamish), Tlingit, Tsleil-Waututh Nations, and is also part Hawaiian. She was born and raised on Haida Gwaii and is from the Yaguu’laanaas Raven Clan.

Her Haida name, Kung Jaadee, means ‘Moon Woman’ and was presented to her at her great uncle’s memorial feast by her cousin Crystal Robinson. Her Aunt Leialoha gave her the name “Hi’ilawe,” in

reference to the most famous Hawaiian waterfall on the Big Island.

Over the past three decades, Kung Jaadee has performed traditional Haida legends, while also sharing vivid personal stories about her clan's survival of the smallpox epidemic, and the history and culture of her people. She has performed at hundreds of festivals, schools and Aboriginal celebrations across Canada. She is also the author of the popular children's books, Raven's Feast and Gifts from Raven (selected as a Local BC Book to Read), as well as the textbooks, Haida Nation: Indigenous

Communities in Canada and Haida Gwaii: We Are Home. Her stories have also been published in several

anthologies, magazines and online publications including a recent commission by The Lonely Planet. 

In recent years, Kung Jaadee also worked as a storyteller in residence for the North Vancouver Public Library and the Vancouver Public Library.

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Since relocating to Vancouver, Kung Jaadee has learned Squamish legends from her uncle Bob Baker (Saplek, Hawaiian name is Lanakila).

Kung Jaadee states “storytelling chose her” and loves to share her gift of storytelling with people of all

ages across Turtle Island.

Read the article from The Lovepost.