Oral Stories:

Auditory and visual expression is very important in the oral tradition.

Oral Story

The art of storytelling is still prevalent in First Nations communities. A good storyteller carries the listener away to new places as they experience new sights and sounds. The listener needs to envision and a good storyteller can always take them to different places. The story becomes alive and as real as any personal experience. Storytelling is an experience of spirit and imagination. There is an exchange of spirit energy as the storyteller gives and the listener is engaged through all senses.

Storytelling has many purposes. Storytelling teaches listening. Listening is more important than speaking in First Nations culture. Observe, listen, and learn are more the characteristics of a cultural norm. Storytelling is meant to entertain, teach and make a person think. Sometimes a story will say something to someone at one time and then speak differently the next time they hear the story. It is good to hear a story many times because as our life experiences change, so to will the meaning drawn from the story.