Legends and Teachings of Xeel's, the Creator - Softcover

Ellen Rice White (Kwulasulwut)

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1895766761 ISBN 13: 9781895766769

Publisher: Pacific Educational Press, 2006

Synopsis

This book of traditional stories from the Coast Salish peoples of the west coast of British Columbia offers the oral tradition in a written form: each story is accompanied by comments and questions similar to ones that a traditional storyteller might have included in a discussion with listeners after the story.

Snuneymuxw Elder Ellen White does not like to call herself the author : she says the stories belong to Xeel s and were passed down to her from her grandparents and their ancestors. Long ago Xeel s, the Creator, travelled from village to village, going where he was needed and telling his stories. Ellen has chosen four of these stories for the value of their teachings for all of us living in today s world. The tales are ancient but their lessons are surprisingly modern: how a mother can help her baby survive and thrive; how a community can prevent pre-teens from becoming angry and rebellious; how people from different cultures can learn to respect one another and celebrate their differences; and how a young man can learn to take responsibility for the children he has fathered. To help readers better appreciate the cultural context, Ellen includes her own commentary on the stories.

The book is suitable for use in First Nations and Native Studies programs in the study of oral traditions and literature, at both the high school and post-secondary levels. It offers much of value to a general readership as well, and participants in healing circles and discussion groups will be able to incorporate its material into their own programs.

About this title

About the Author:

Ellen Rice White whose Coast Salish name is Kwulasulwut ( Many Stars ) is from the Snuneymuxw Nation of Nanaimo on the eastern shore of Vancouver Island. She has touched many lives in her decades as teacher, storyteller, dancer, drummer, healer, and political activist. She is a Resident Elder at Malaspina University-College and acts as a guide in both spiritual and practical matters for students and instructors in the First Nations Studies program.

Illustrator Daniel Elliott is an artist from the Shts uminus Nation who also works as an Aboriginal Education assistant in Nanaimo public schools.

About this edition

• Publisher: Pacific Educational Press
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 1895766761
• ISBN 13: 9781895766769
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 112
• Illustrator: Daniel Elliott