Saskatchewan Rivers Public School Division Honours Indigenous Storytelling Month

Submitted by Saskatchewan Rivers Public Schools Written by Theresa Thorsen Saskatchewan Rivers, Indigenous Perspectives Consultant

Photo credit: Local Metis Artist and Storyteller Leah Dorion at SRPSD Winterfest held at PACI. Photo Credit: Ryley Campbell. She is part of Mr. Mogg's Journalism Studies/Photography class.

February has been declared as Indigenous Storytelling month in Saskatchewan. Stories are sacred; they hold memory and spirit. Story is the foundation of Indigenous worldview for everything that surrounds us, the trees, sun, rocks, animals, plants, and how things came to be is connected to story. We are connected through story. All of our stories, teachings and traditions were passed on from generation to generation through oral tradition. Embedded deep within Indigenous stories are traditional knowledge, values, life lessons, relationships as well as entertainment. Stories are what connect us to each other and the land.

Classes throughout Saskatchewan Rivers Public School Division participated in live or virtual storytelling sessions throughout the month from local Elders/Knowledge Keepers and members from the Indigenous Perspectives team. Elder Bente Huntley shared stories and discussed the importance of storytelling throughout the month with our board of trustees, superintendents, consultants, coaches, teachers and students. Simon Bird and Randy Morin also visited classrooms to share stories, organized by Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre (SICC).

By remembering and sharing our stories, we honour our ancestors, ourselves, our history, and our responsibilities. Everyone is encouraged to make some time this month to listen to and share the gift of story. There are many community events happening throughout February where you can listen to and learn from the story.