By paNOW

VIDEO: Traditional stories passed on through music during Aboriginal Storytelling Month

Feb 24, 2014 | 11:06 PM

The John M. Cuelenaere Public Library celebrated Aboriginal Storytelling Month on Monday.

Jason Chamakese and Robert Gladue played music and told stories to the audience, which varied from young elementary students, to elders.

Chamakese has been playing the traditional flute for over a decade and Gladue has been singing with him since 2010. They have both toured with their music across the country, and even further.

They are dedicated to keeping the Cree language and traditional stories alive.

“Storytelling is a huge part of my culture. I’ve grown up listening to many different stories. The way I find my part in this is our messages also come in songs so the way I thought the way I’d go around teaching stories is through the songs I sing because they also have very important messages,” said Gladue.

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According to Chamakese, traditional storytelling is one of the most important parts of Aboriginal culture.

“There was no other way for us to pass down our culture. There was no other way for us to share with our younger generations where we come from and who we are so in essence storytelling is one of our biggest foundations towards the transmission of our culture,” said Chamakese.

Gladue said that music is the most efficient method he uses to pass on stories and important information from the past. 

“These kids, especially our First Nation kids, they really take to the singing. If you go ask any one of them singing is a big part of their life also. So really helps to communicate that way,” he said.

Playing the flute is part of how Chamakese got into storytelling. It drew his attention, and he wanted to pass that on to others.

“When I discovered flute music about 16 years ago there were stories that went along with it. So that really made me want to learn it at a level beyond just knowing how to play it but also what it meant and what the music does for people; the stories behind the songs,” he said.

Elder Julie Pitzel came to the library to attend the storytelling event with a class of Early Childhood Education students that she teaches. She said it’s very meaningful that her students, and as well as any Aboriginal person, get to hear stories of the past. 

“Well, it offers a sense of who they are and that’s very important. And that we do have a history, although it’s an oral history, it’s still as important as written history,” said Pitzel. 

She said it means a lot to her that people continue on with storytelling traditions.

“Well, I would encourage people to continue being part of events like this so they can continue sharing knowledge,” said Pitzel.

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