Photo: Sharon Meyer, the previous First Nations and Métis Education consultant with the North East School Division, tells Indigenous stories that aim to teach, entertain and remember. / Photo courtesy of Sharon Meyer
February’s Indigenous Storytelling Month is being celebrated with a host of events and opportunities for learners in the North East School Division, highlighting the importance of oral tradition and cultural knowledge in Indigenous communities.
Indigenous Storytelling Month is a province-wide initiative co-ordinated by Library Services for Saskatchewan Aboriginal Peoples Inc. that brings storytelling events to communities throughout February to honour First Nations, Métis and Inuit traditions, history and culture.
“We have a storytelling festival here in the North East School Division. During the month, we have opportunities for learners to experience storytelling,” said Penny Mohr, the division’s Indigenous education learning co-ordinator.
Already this month, students at White Fox School welcomed storyteller Sharon Meyer, and she is scheduled to visit Tisdale Elementary School this week. On Feb. 10, the Tisdale and Area Early Years Family Resource Centre hosted Métis Elder Dennis Miller for a storytelling session. Mohr said she has also been invited to share stories with students at Star City and Miner Creek Colonies, as well as TMSS.
In addition to visiting storytellers, the division’s Grade 8 students at William Mason School in Choiceland and White Fox School are participating in a Blanket Exercise, an interactive learning experience that explores the history of Indigenous peoples in Canada and encourages deeper understanding of reconciliation.
To close out the month, the division has invited Métis author and storyteller Cort Dogniez for a special event in Melfort on Feb. 25, according to Mohr.
“This month gives learners a chance to hear from Indigenous voices, connect with cultural traditions and deepen their understanding of history and community,” Mohr said.
Indigenous storytelling has long been a powerful way for communities to share knowledge, values, language and history — especially in winter months when gatherings were traditional — and helps strengthen intergenerational connections, according to Library Services for Saskatchewan Aboriginal Peoples Inc.