JW021802 James SASKATOONEXPRESS - February 18-24, 2019 - Page 5
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Indigenous stories told with humour
here is one area that doesn’t get much attention in the writing
“I have great news,” he said. “Soon a warrior will arrive and save our nation.” world. The young man then told Indigenous short stories the people to prepare. are generally stories that “His name is Falling teach lessons with humour. Rocks,” said the man. The stories are made up and For days, weeks, months passed along so others can and then years the tribe share them. Throughout the waited for Falling Rocks to years, I’ve collected a few of come and save the people. these stories to share, mostly The substance abuse spiralled with the kids from the neighout of control and people Columnist bourhood. continued to die. I make up stories and test The spiral included all the them on young people. During the sum- dysfunction, violence, and insanity of mer it’s nothing to have half a dozen substance abuse. Finally, there was only eight- and 10-year-olds sitting outside one member left. But he still believed my place with me telling them stories. this saviour would come. He decided to The stories include the Snow Snake, put up signs in case he died and there which is a snake that slithers around would be no one left. Which is why tounder the snow. It’s about a metre long day you drive through the Rocky Mounwith pink eyes and if it bites you, your tains you will see the signs — Watch for body turns into a giant ice cube. Falling Rocks. But the snow snake can only be Some of the short stories include found in the bush, so stay away from animals. the bush during the winter. One is about an old wolverine that The other story I enjoy telling the caught a fish. He decided to share the kids is the Spaghetti Tree. I ask the kids catch with his friend, the owl. It was a if they know where spaghetti comes long journey to the owl’s home, but he from. Of course they don’t. decided to try anyway. I told them how there are great spaAbout halfway there, he got tired and ghetti trees in China where the spaghetti a weasel approached him. The wolverhangs over the branches and all a person ine told the weasel about his ill health has to do is go by and slurp away. I told and the long journey. The weasel said them how workers pick the spaghetti he could take the fish to the owl. and lay it in a straight line in the sun The wolverine thanked the weasel until it is dry and cut into what is sold and handed over the fish. But the weasel in stores today. quickly grabbed the fish and headed One of my favourite stories is about straight into his hole to eat the fish. The falling rocks. wolverine sat there with tears coming There was a tribe of Indigenous peo- from his eyes. ple who lived in the mountains — the An eagle came by and asked what area which is known today as British was wrong. The wolverine told the Columbia. The small group was fighteagle about the weasel stealing the fish ing a losing battle with substance abuse. he was supposed to deliver to the owl. The leaders, along with the elders, The eagle told the wolverine he didn’t know what to do, so they asked would look for the weasel. That’s why one young man how he managed to stay today the first thing a weasel does when away from what was taking the lives of it comes out of his den is look up toso many people in his community. wards the sky and snap his head around He told them he fasted and asked the to make sure the eagle isn’t around. Creator for guidance. The group then Indigenous short stories are oral stoasked the young man if he would fast ries which are often told at gatherings. for his people. The following morning, One thing is for sure; I’ll walk away the young man headed for the mounwith stories generations old and a lesson tains to start on his fast. or two. After four days the young man returned. ken.noskye@gmail.com
KEN NOSKYE
Recycle glass at SARCAN
I
n a step to increase the amount of glass that can be recycled, a pilot program between the City of Saskatoon and SARCAN will enable residents to take their glass items to SARCAN depots. “We scanned blue bin programs across Canada, and noticed that single-stream collection programs may not be the most effective in recycling glass products since 90 per cent of the glass gets broken. While less people might use a depot, the overall percentage of glass that gets recycled can actually improve,” Amber Weckworth, manager of education and environmental performance for the City of Saskatoon, said in a news release. While the current blue bin program will still accept household glass material, residents are encouraged to “take it, don’t break it” and avoid broken glass during collections by taking clean glass jars and bottles to their nearest SARCAN recycling depot. SARCAN Locations • East Depot – 350B-103 St. East • North Depot – 2327 Faithfull Ave.
• South Depot – Avalon Plaza 20A — 2605 Broadway Avenue • West Depot – 7 - 2305 22nd St. West What you can recycle • Food container jars — jam, pickles, peanuts, sauces, etc. • Beverage glass bottles • Food glass bottles — olive oil, etc. The following items are not accepted in the SARCAN pilot program: excessively dirty glass, broken containers, Pyrex, ceramics, dishes, drinking glasses, carboys and jugs from homemade wine kits, mirrors, light bulbs and glass home décor. What you need to know Glass that has no deposit paid at the time of purchase results in no refund given at SARCAN. Clean glass jars and bottles before taking items to SARCAN. Visit sarcan.ca for more information.
Royal University Hospital Foundation’s
Greek Gourmet Feast Presented by
Wednesday, March 13, 2019 @ 5:30 p.m. Hosted by on 8th Street
Celebrating
20 years of hosting!
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Saskatoonʼs REAL Community Newspaper
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TA021806 Tammy The Saskatoon Express
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