An Evening of Traditional Storytelling

March 1, 2025

On March 1, 2025, the First Nations University of Canada held its inaugural event, “An Evening of Traditional Storytelling.” FNUniv welcomed invited storytellers from Treaty 4 and Treaty 6 territories. This initiative, organized by the Elders’ Office and Events, aimed to unite the community to celebrate and share traditional knowledge and teachings.

The evening commenced with a pipe ceremony and a feast to honour the occasion, followed by traditional storytelling. Knowledge Keeper Dennis Omeasoo opened up the evening by addressing the audience in his first language, the Cree language. He explained the purpose of hosting this event. According to his late uncle, storytellers were held in high regard with no need for interpreters. Back then, storytellers would talk about various issues to guide people and help them understand their experiences in life. Due to residential schools, many children missed out by not being able to hear and learn the stories. We gather this evening to reiterate the history and purpose of traditional storytelling.

Our first storyteller, Nina Wilson from the Kahkewistahaw First Nation, spoke on the Creation Stories, the origins and the importance of the language, and about specific ceremonies. She emphasized the significance of passing these stories to younger generations, celebrating the rich tradition of storytelling.

“Language is very important. Fluency is one thing but you have to make a braid of fluency, spirit and intent of the language. If one is missing than it’s not going to be effective. We each have a responsibility to learn our language. Our language makes us who we are.“

Elder Dianne Goodwill from the Standing Buffalo Dakota Nation is Dakota and Hunkpapa Lakota, and a descendent of Chief Sitting Bull. Elder Goodwill spoke about what is life here and what is life in the other camp. She addressed the importance of unity among nations for healing past traumas and shared traditional Dakota stories about the Buffalo spirit that had been handed down to her. Her late mother taught her to learn about the seven campfires, the Seven Council Fires. The “Oceti Sakowin“, which is broken down by a tiospaye “extended family”. She states that language is number one and explained the value system. “The number one value is respect because without respect, it is something that is not given, you earn that. One day, you’ll identify each one of those values.”

Elder Dianne ended her session by singing a beautiful song, accompanied by Angelo and Jason Wasteste, as a way of giving thanks.

The third storyteller of the evening was Joseph Naytowhow from Sturgeon Lake Cree Nation. His narratives, enriched with music, included tales of how the flute was created. With the help of a drum, he encouraged everyone to dance and share in the joy and laughter.

The final speaker was FNUniv Knowledge Keeper Dennis Omeasoo from Samson Cree Nation. He reminded attendees that ceremonial seasons were approaching and shared a story he received during a ceremony about a boy navigating a familiar path. Dennis concluded with a song meant to guide everyone home in a good way.