In 1500, Indigenous peoples had no written language. Instead, things of the past and knowledge were passed down orally. This is called Oral Tradition – Tradition orale. From a very young age, children understood the importance of listening to the stories of their elders. In this way, what was told from one generation to another was not forgotten.

Legends passed down by elders and storytellers
Among the stories passed down from generation to generation, legends are particularly important. The Iroquoian people use legends to explain natural phenomena or events, like how the world was created.  The legends of indigenous peoples often involved animals.

Author: Service national du Récit de l’univers social

Language used to transmit knowledge and legends
Birch bark legends of Niagara_Iroquois
Sky Woman The creation story of the Haudenosaunee people by Flickr user Daryl_Mitchell
The Historian
A Native American elder sharing a story.

 
 

Important concepts and big ideas:

Animism – Animisme
Oral Tradition – Tradition orale
Oral Tradition – Tradition orale
Indigenous Spirituality – Spiritualité indigène

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