Why do we tell stories?

We tell stories to share traditions, customs, history, and culture

The telling means that it will pass on to the future generations and beyond

Seven generations back and seven generations forward

We tell stories to learn about our heroes, our ancestors

To remember them

To honor the people who came before us

It roots us, grounds us

Teaches us how to be in right relationship with each other and our land

We tell stories to honor the land we are on, the water that flows around us, the animals, the plants

To remember and to remind

That we don’t exist alone

We know who we are on this Earth

Where we belong

Where we fit in

Our roles and responsibilities

We tell stories to reclaim our voice and our narrative

Centering in our experiences and wisdom

We tell our people’s stories to reclaim our people’s voices

Centering in our collective knowledge and love

It empowers us, strengthens us, sustains us

So that we can thrive in joy