Globalization Conference – Crit Callebs

About Crit Callebs

Crit Callebs is of Eastern Band Cherokee and Appalachian descent and lives on the Yakama Nation Indian Reservation.  He is a traditional storyteller, mentor and highly influential speaker.

Using his gift of storytelling, he travels throughout the U.S. sharing traditional stories and facilitating workshops with Tribal organizations, Universities, K-12 schools and recovery programs. Crit has been a featured storyteller at Harvard University, University of Louisville, University of Kentucky, CWU Museum of Culture and Environment, Native Wellness Institute and the Native American Training Institute. He uses stories to uplift and inspire listeners to new heights of understanding. Crit believes that stories are powerful spiritual tools that open people’s hearts and are a catalyst for positive change.

Crit is a highly sought after speaker on numerous topics including: Peacekeeping, Indigenous values, mentoring, ethical leadership and living life as a story. He is a member of the Northwest Indian Storytelling Association and was a very popular guest lecturer for Central Washington University’s (CWU) American Indian Studies program. As a graduate assistant at CWU he served as the Native American Liaison at the Center for Diversity and Social Justice. Crit brought numerous award winning Native American performers and artists to the campus for cultural events. Crit has also been trained to teach the “Since Time Immemorial” tribal sovereignty and history curriculum implemented in K-12 classrooms in Washington State.

Crit is a supporter of Indigenous rights and advocates for protecting cultural resources such as traditional foods and sacred sites. He spoke at the Vancouver Aboriginal Friendship Centre in support of the Tsleil Waututh Nation to protect their homeland against oil pipeline expansion. He has spoken at the Wyoming state capitol on behalf of protecting the Red Desert and was an influential speaker at the Washington State Cultural Resource Training.

Crit is the Founder and Executive Director of the Peacekeeper Society, a Native nonprofit that empowers youth and adults by using cultural traditions, stories, and wilderness survival skills. The Peacekeepers are mentors from various Indian nations that believe real change can come from the power of traditional mentoring. They run cultural camps, share stories, provide professional mentoring and lead by example.

Finally, Crit is a professional survival trainer and former instructor for the world renowned Boulder Outdoor Survival School.  One of his great passions is teaching youth and adults how to be self-reliant in the wilderness. Crit has taught hundreds of people how to make traditional fires, build shelters, and to respect the natural environment. He helped facilitate the Colville Tribes Youth “Warrior Camp” in Nespelem and the Gen7 cultural camp in Seattle. Crit’s happiness comes from promoting self-awareness, ancestral skills, and Indigenous values.