Chukma (Hello).

I have been busy performing at festivals, schools, the Briscoe and the Bullock museums, and have several schools, libraries, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Austin Area coming up. On top of all that my dance troupe, Hithla, will be performing at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in New York on November 29th and 30th. I have a few schools after that and storytelling, finger weaving, and twining demonstrations at the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians in early December. I have tons of events the rest of this year so check my schedule often!

I am honored to have been chosen as a resident Spring of 2025 at A Studio in the Woods, a program of Tulane University’s ByWater Institute, and one of the leading artistic and academic residency programs in the Gulf South region.

The super-talented Mantageri illustrated one of the stories I told at the Smithsonian’s 2024 Folklife Festival, Baby Rattlesnake, check it out! AND, the one and only Lauren Hogg wrote a fantastic article about me and my craft “Storytelling, Like Language, Is Alive”: How Amy Bruton Bluemel Protects Her History. Please take a few minutes to read it.

I have the best job in the world getting to share my stories and culture with the best people, festivals, universities, and museums including the Smithsonian. I look forward to connecting with you all down the road. Chapisa’ Lacho’.

In 2023 I was honored to be the 2023 recipient of the Coleen Salley Storytelling Award. The award is given to storytellers for their commitment and excellence in the art of storytelling by The University of Southern Mississippi. I also wrote a children’s book retelling a Southeastern tale about how Possum got his tail. It’s available on Amazon, I hope you like it.

I am a registered member of the Chickasaw Nation, an award-winning storyteller, artist, and a founding member of Hithla, a dance troupe practicing Southeastern traditional stomp dance. I travel around the country with the troupe educating about Chickasaw and Southeastern tribal culture. I also work independently performing at schools, libraries, camps, festivals, and museums.

I perform in my regalia and explain why we wear what we wear and share some of our stories, language, history, and culture. I can create a program that fits any age group and any theme.

I am glad you found me and look forward to hearing from, and working with you. Feel free to call me if you need more information.

Chumaski (Thank-you),
Amy Bluemel

“Amy Bluemel is one of the best storytellers I’ve ever heard, of any genre. She has a deep respect for her cultural heritage and a unique way of connecting to audience members of all ages through not only the content of her stories, but her wonderful intonation, gestures, timing, and overall delivery. I have read a great deal over the years about the culture of Southeastern Native Americans, but hearing oral tradition presented so delightfully by Amy really helps to contextualize the material. I would not hesitate to recommend Amy Bluemel as a storyteller to anyone planning an event because more people need to hear her!” —Bill Bomar, Ph.D., Director of Museum Studies, The University of Alabama