Lorie Robins-Carmichael

Lorie began working for the Chickasaw Nation in 1996 in the library where
she provided assistance to patrons researching their genealogy. In October 2003
Lorie joined the division of arts and humanities where she is the humanities and
literary arts assistant. She is also the recognized storyteller for the Chickasaw
Nation and travels all over Oklahoma presenting traditional Southeastern stories
to many organization and educational groups. Her talent in sharing tribal stories
has allowed her to travel to China in 2008 and Amman, Jordan in 2009. This is
where Lorie was immersed in the fact that all cultures are more alike than
different due to their art of storytelling.
Lorie is the great granddaughter of original enrollee the late May Pearl
Durin, She is also the granddaughter of the Joseph and Euline Hamilton the late
Earl Robins and Jewell Robins-Tomasi of Bakersfield, CA. Lorie was introduced
to storytelling by Glenda Galvan, Museum Director for the Chickasaw Nation, I
would go with her to surrounding schools and various functions she was asked to
attend and sit there and just listen and watch how she had the whole audience of
all ages enter another world.
The traditional way of storytelling is by the mother giving her stories or oral
history, in most cases, to her daughters, and they, in turn, would give them to
their daughters, and so on. But, in Glenda's words, "the good Lord blessed me
with two boys." So traditionally, the stories would end with her, but she didn't
want that. While apprenticing under Glenda to learn storytelling Glenda also
taught Lorie the process of creating a piece of the womans traditional dress, the
beaded collar. This was a hobby for Lorie in the beginning but like most hobbies
it grew. Lorie has been requested to make collars for dance troupe members,
Chickasaw Princesses, and tribal citizens. She has displayed her work at the
Council House Museum, Five Tribes Museum, Pioneer Library System, and
beadwork has traveled all the way to Japan to be displayed at the Hiroshima
University. Lorie entered the 2004 Southeastern Art Show and Market, her fist
art show, and placed third in traditional beadwork and jewelry. The following year
at the same art show Lorie placed second in the same categories adding to her
recognition second in miniatures. In 2012 Lorie was excited to take home
another first place medal in beadwork at SEASAM for her adaption of the beaded
cape.
Lorie researches Chickasaw history and she has been a member of the
Chickasaw Living History Players since 1998. She has assisted in the writing of
many scripts that continue to be performed today. Lories first script of Hina
Falaa, the Chickasaw migration story, was adapted for the stage from archived
oral stories and scripts developed by the multimedia department and performed
in 2005. Lorie also co-wrote and directed Leaders of the New Way with
Chickasaw artist Jeannie Barbour and Laura Clark. The play depicted the

struggles and creation of the Chickasaw Constitution and separation from the
Choctaw Nation in 1856. In 2006 Lorie was invited to play the role of the
storyteller in the production of original classical and traditional Chickasaw music,
dance, and drama in Lowak Shoppala Fire & Light. This is a role she will play
once again at the Goddard Center in Ardmore, Oklahoma in November of 2013.
Lories most recent work, Chickasaw Tales was performed at East Central
University and co-written with Dr. Steven Phillips. Through research, writing and
storytelling, Lorie honors the history of the Chickasaw Nation and its people.
Whether performing for audiences such as storytellers in China or
traveling as a member of a global peace initiative in Jordan, Lorie considers
herself a lifelong learner. In 2009 she received her associates degree in arts in
psychology and in 2011 received her Bachelors of Science in business with a
concentration in public administration.
Prior to working for the Chickasaw Nation, Lorie was employed at Homer
Elementary School through the Big Five Head Start organization for five years,
serving as a teachers assistant.
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