Storytelling... Understanding the Oral Tradition

Understanding Our Past Throughout time, all peoples have attempted to answer questions about the mystery of our existence and about those things that are beyond our control. For example: - Where did we come from? - Who am I? - Where will I go when I die?

Understanding Our Past (cont.) These questions are part of our quest to understand ourselves, not only as people in a specific culture, but also as individuals. Understanding our past is an attempt to make greater sense of our future. Each culture responds to these questions with it own explanations – stories that are unique to that culture. Example??

Storytelling Storytelling is an oral tradition. Many cultures pass down their knowledge of themselves from generation to generation through the stories they tell. Each culture answers the question “Where did we come from?” in its own way. Because in the past, few First Nations and Inuit cultures kept written records of their history, customs, and traditions, oral tradition is a vital link between past, present, and future.

Common Characteristics of Stories First Nations and Inuit stories share some common characteristics.....

1. Stories reflect the culture and the natural environment in which the people live.

Cultures that live near the ocean, such as the Haida, include elements of the sea, such as water and conch shells, in their stories.

Groups that live on the plains, such as the Siksika (Blackfoot), describe such things as prairie grasses and buffalo herds in their stories.

2. Stories provide answers to the meaning and order of the world in which the people live.

The Inuit, for example, believed that the Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights) are giants who are great hunters and fishers. Although these giants are not visible, they are perceived to be friendly. The Inuit believe that when these giant hunt animals and spear fish, they use torches. These torches appear as the Northern Lights.

3. Stories often include places that a culture deems sacred.

They describe how these places came to have spiritual significance. For example, Dreamer’s Rock on Birch Island, near Manitoulin Island in Ontario, is a sacred place where the Anishnaabe go to fast and receive a vision. Traditionally, the vision provides direction and a purpose for living for the vision seeker.

4. Stories are rich in symbolism that helps explain the origins of the First Peoples as well as their worldview.

5. Stories are about living and real spirits – beings that are as alive as people.

First Nations and Inuit peoples believe that their stories have lived longer than humans have. As these stories are passed down from generation to generation, they provide a legacy for each culture.

6. Stories are linked to the season in which they are told.

This is an important aspect of storytelling. The Nehiyaw (Cree), for example, tell certain stories at specific time of the year. To do otherwise would invite revenge and punishment from the spirits.

The Creation Stories

The Siksika (Blackfoot) Creation Story Long ago there was a time when water covered the entire world. Napi the creator wanted to know what happened below all of this water. He sent a duck, an otter, then a badger, but all came up with nothing. Finally, a muskrat dove beneath the water and was down a very long time. He returned with a ball of mud in his paws. Napi took the lump and blew on it until it dried and was transformed into the earth. He molded the hills, valley, and mountains with his hands. He created groves in the earth for rivers and lakes. The first people were molded from this earth and Napi taught men and women how to hunt and to live. Once Napi felt his work was complete, he climbed up to a mountain peak and disappeared.

The Haida Creation Story Long ago no divisions existed between humans, animals and spirits. All things of the earth, sky, and, water were connected and all beings could pass freely between them. The Raven was a trickster full of supernatural power. He stole the sun from his grandfather Nasshahkeeyalhl and made the moon and stars from it. The Raven created lakes, rivers and filled the lands with trees. He divided night and day, then pulled the tides into a rhythm. He filled the streams with fresh water, scattered the eggs of salmon and trout, and placed animals in the forests. The first human was hiding in a giant clamshell and Raven released them onto the beaches and gave humans fire. Raven disappeared and took with him the power of the spirit world to communicate and connect with humans.

Discussion Questions: 1. What creation story do you believe? 2. Consider the two creation stories a)What values and beliefs are important to each of the cultures in these creation stories? Give reasons for your answers. b)What role does the environment play in each story? What role do humans play? 3. In your opinion, what are the strengths and weaknesses of oral tradition?