Arts & Récits Autochtones - The Great Flood

The story I have chosen is my take on the Lil’wat traditional telling of the great flood. The story was told to me by my father, who it was passed onto by the old people that raised him. Our traditional oral stories are important because they connect us to our land, and teach us at a young age the boundaries of our territory as well as the places of importance. The great flood is a story that is nearly lost in our community, but it holds great importance as it is about a way of life that took place before contact. It was a lesson on respecting elders, being spiritually connected, and the cycle of life.
The story itself is an allegory about following old traditions, rather than being swept away by modern technologies or faster methods of living. It is meant as a lesson regarding the cyclical way of life, and how each generation has their own battle to face. The story ends as it begins, thus opening another chapter of struggle and strife. By holding onto our ancestral teachings, we arm ourselves with the knowledge necessary to prepare for the disasters that may come within our lifetime.