Over 300 children from Prince Albert had the opportunity Wednesday to listen to traditional Aboriginal stories.
Local author Solomon Ratt shared stories with the youth from his recent book Woods Cree Stories in three different sessions at the Mann Art Gallery.
Woods Cree Stories is a book consisting of nine traditional stories presented in the Cree language. During Wednesday’s event, Ratt shared his stories in English.
The author says Aboriginal storytelling has been vital throughout the history of First Nations people.
“This was our education system before schools,” he said. “Unfortunately, it is a dying art, but a lot of people are still telling the stories.”
Ratt says it is up to everybody to help keep Aboriginal storytelling alive.
“Everybody thinks it is only the people who can tell the stories who are storytellers, but it’s every parents responsibility to tell the stories they know to their children. You as a parent are a storyteller.”
Ratt says proclaiming February as Aboriginal Storytelling Month is a step in the right direction to revitalizing the art form.
Students from Riverside Community School, Westview Community School and the Eagle’s Nest all had an opportunity to hear Ratt’s stories.