Storytelling

Storytelling continues to be an integral part of Native American culture, providing us with an understanding of what was important to the Native Americans. Through their stories, Native Americans expressed an understanding of the environment, and the relationship that existed between themselves and their environment. These stories also provide us with a look at Native American legends, history, and a collection of knowledge critical to their survival. Native American stories are deeply rooted in their relationship with Mother Earth. Their many years connected with land, life, water and sky has created many stories explaining these important bonds with Mother Earth. From ancient times the Native Americans have looked to their Creator for messages to help them survive. Native Americans discovered that the animals, plants, and rocks all had messages to share with them, messages that they continue to communicate with future generations. The Native American stories are as varied as their tribes, all sharing a basic theme, that of respect and care for the resources provided by Mother Earth. However, many traditional Native stories are based on two key concepts; honoring all life, especially the plants and animals that Native American’s depend on, along with honoring human ancestors that embodied the tribal way of life. The use of storytelling by Native Americans continues to be a way of connecting their current way of life with their rich history, recalling all those events important to them. Storytelling continues to shape the Native American society and the way they view their history.

Storytelling, a rich tradition in Native American culture, continues to be a way by which Native American history and knowledge is ...

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... at repression and assimilation of the Native American history. As stated by Leslie Marmon Silko, an American Indian writer and spokesperson, in her book, “Ceremony,” “you don’t have anything if you don’t have the stories.” It is clear from her statements that tribal history is dependent on this oral tradition. Through storytelling cherished people, places, the ordinary, the extraordinary, along with moments of clarity, sorrow, and joy are remembered. Through storytelling, knowledge can be successfully transmitted from generation to generation. It is clear from the storytelling, that storytellers do not want the Native Americans to continue down the road of destruction and bring themselves harm. The storyteller through his storytelling sends out an obvious message to the listeners. Do not repeat the wrongs of our ancestors if we are to survive as a nation.