Eleanor is a tribal elder from the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah, a member of the Cedar Band of Paiutes.She is one of five remaining elders of the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah who can speak the language.While she doesn’t read in Paiute, she speaks fluently and teaches the language to others. The Paiute language is of great importance to the elders, and they, including Eleanor, want the children to learn as well.To help keep the language from dying, Eleanor is publishing books in the Paiute language with her friends Chloe and Ruthie. She knows a lot of the traditional Paiute stories, and is careful about when she shares them.She is a cultural bearer with a wealth of knowledge.

was raised by her grandmothers, and they taught her the traditional ways of the Paiute.Along with learning the language, she learned the ways to collect materials and plants for Paiute basket weaving, including where to find the best willows.Eleanor continues to weave today by making cradleboards. In her own words, Eleanor said, “If I weren’t able to live my culture anymore, I’d feel bad.When my grandmothers died, a part of me died with them.My art and culture are a way of connecting with my grandmothers, and my ancestors before them.”

Eleanor loves working with elementary aged students. Her offerings include storytelling, sharing the books she’s published, cradleboards, Paiute language, cultural knowledge, and teaching how to reverence sacred things and places.When presenting, she brings cultural items such as baskets, cradleboards, and her handmade drum, and she tells stories and sings to share cultural knowledge.Her cultural presentations are typically a one time visit, although she is willing to do extended visits (multiple days) if travel, accommodations, and food are paid for.

Eleanor’s presentation is aimed at students in K-6th grades.