Copyright © 2002 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

Choogie Kingfisher

TAHLEQUAH, OK - For most people, lying gets you in trouble. For Choogie Kingfisher, lying turned into a successful career. As an accomplished storyteller and actor, Kingfisher was recently voted Favorite Local Actor in the 2002 Best of the Best issue published by the Tahlequah Daily Press.

"I've been lying all of my life but have turned this wonderful talent into the art of storytelling," said Kingfisher. "I've been performing and sharing my stories for the past 15 or so years."

Kingfisher won this honor by playing the role of Stand Watie in the 2002 "Trail of Tears Drama" at the Cherokee Heritage Center, but it is only one of many honors that he has received.

"It's always good to receive rewards and recognition, but my enjoyment comes from the people," Kingfisher said. "My rewards are the smiles, handshakes, applause, and congratulations of the people."

Kingfisher has performed in the "Trail of Tears Drama" for 18 years, playing various roles. He was also involved with a local movie "Kho:lon, the Raven Mocker" in 1991 and a few documentaries, all of which contributed to his knowledge of acting. Although Kingfisher enjoys acting, his true passion is storytelling.

"Storytelling is who I am. I am Kituwah Cherokee. I am native. The majority of the stories I tell are stories that have been told to me over my short life," Kingfisher said. "Storytelling is my way of passing the past onto the youth to ensure our future."

Kingfisher has performed throughout the United States in his 16 years of storytelling. He has been a storyteller at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah, at the Berun Children's Orphanage in Berlin, Germany, at the Turtle Island Storytelling Festival in Tahlequah, Okla., and at the Little People and Giants Conference in Lacey and Tacoma, Washington.

"I never realized in my wildest dreams that I would be traveling around the country sharing our ways, our stories, with other tribes and people," Kingfisher said. "It is a hobby because if it were a job I would be complaining and I love what I do."

Although storytelling has turned into what he calls his one true love, it did not start out that way.

"I really don't remember how I began. I think it was one of those things where someone said 'do you know a story you could tell us,' so it took off from there," Kingfisher said. "The sharing of my people's stories have been important to me, from sharing with my two children to some of my largest groups of over a hundred people. What makes all these events special is the fact that everyone is learning. Stories have a life of their own, in order to live they must be told and so I tell them."

Although Kingfisher has accumulated much recognition, praise is not what he seeks.

"People are strange sometimes. In order to be considered one of the best you have to have this grand resume," Kingfisher said. "The schools and organizations I visit seem to appreciate what I share without this grand resume, and my children certainly seem to think I am the best."

But Kingfisher did not become the best on his own. He credits his success to his creator, God.

"My faith in my creator, God, is important because without his guidance, without his teachings, my life would be turmoil. I am only what God has made me. I did not do all of this on my own," Kingfisher said. "Many people say 'I did this,' or 'I did that,' with no acknowledgement of a higher power. I can say that too, but it goes like this, 'with God's help I am this and I am that.'" Like many native people, Kingfisher practices the religion of his ancestors as well as another religion.

"My faith is different than most as I worship both traditionally and in the Southern Baptist denomination," Kingfisher said. "It works for me because I have been taught how to make it work, through prayer He has shown me the way it must be done."

Kingfisher appears to be passionate in every aspect of his life from acting and storytelling to his religion, and his passion extends to his family.

"Family is very important to me. Cherokee families don't just stop at mom, dad, brothers and sister. Families are uncles, aunts, cousins and kinfolk. I am very fortunate to have a wonderful family and appreciate them more than they will ever know," said Kingfisher.

As the father of two children, Jascon Rance, 13, and Stevaney Jacqueliyn-Marie, 8, Kingfisher makes his decisions based on his family.

"Everything I do I have them in mind," he said about his children. "If I do something today, will they benefit from it tomorrow? Will their children benefit?"

Although Kingfisher is divorced, he takes the time to pass on the traditions and values to his children that were passed on to him. "I am divorced, so now, more than ever, I have to be there for my children. Having both parents involved in the children's lives helps to keep the balance of life. It took a man and a woman to create those children so both should share the responsibility. In my case it is not my responsibility but my pleasure to be a part of my children's lives," Kingfisher said. "Children are a gift from the Creator. He gives them to us to teach and guide. My hope is the things that have been passed to me from my ancestors will live with my children and be passed on to future generations of Kingfisher's and those that will listen."

Kingfisher performs in the "Trail of Tears Drama" every Thursday, Friday and Saturday through Labor Day at 8 p.m. The drama will close with a special performance on Sunday, Sept. 1. Ticket prices are $15 for adults, $7.50 for children and students, and $13.50 for seniors. For more information call the Cherokee Heritage Center, phone: 918-456-6007 or toll free, 888-999-6007, and visit the Cherokee Heritage web site.