DAVIDSON—Visual Artist Carol Daniels gave students at Davidson School the gift of a story on Feb. 14, sharing with them the traditional aboriginal custom of storytelling.

Her gift was given in the form of song, drumbeats and a story told in the oral tradition.

February is Saskatchewan Aboriginal Storytelling month. As part of the celebration libraries throughout the province sponsored storytelling events, arranging for First Nations, Métis and Elders to visit libraries and schools to share their gifts.

In Davidson and Craik, Palliser Regional Library arranged for Daniels, an artist, singer and author of the novel “Bearskin Diary” to visit schools in the community.

At the beginning of the event, Victoria Martin, acting librarian for Davidson branch of Palliser Regional Library, offered Daniels a pouch of tobacco, placing it before her.

“The reason I was given tobacco is because that is what was traditionally done when someone comes and leaves something behind,” Daniels explained of the traditional offering to Elders so they may share their stories and knowledge.

“I will try to leave stories and songs behind.”

She asked students to place their hands on their hearts and to be quiet. She then picked up a drum and played a heart beat rhythm.

“Can you feel it?” she asked the children. “The heartbeat of the earth, which is what our hearts are and it runs through us all.”

She brought a collection of drums to the school, explaining the significance of different materials used to make the drum telling children to picture the animal as she played the beat.

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