Our Tellings
Our Tellings
Interior Salish Stories of the Nlha7kápmx People
The Nlha7kápmx people are among the original inhabitants of the Fraser, Thompson, and Nicola river valleys in southwestern British Columbia. In this collection of traditional oral narratives and legends, which have been passed from generation to generation for centuries, the elders tell the story of their people.
Many of the stories were told in the original Nlha7kápmx language but have been carefully translated so as to retain much of the colour and detail of the original, including the rich dialogue so often missing in translations. Altogether, over twenty story-tellers participated in the project. Put together entirely by Nlha7kápmx people, Our Tellings reveals how they perceive their own history. It is their hope that through sharing these stories, they will inspire others to continue to create stories and to contribute to the cultural revitalization of Canada's Native peoples.
This fascinating work offers keen insights into the thought processes of the Nlha7kápmx people. Of value to all those interested in Native Americans and especially to those interested in the groups extending from the northwest US through British Columbia and Alaska.
This is a beautiful book combining elegant understated design with eloquently direct voices. The delightful quality of the stories rests in the sharpness of tone and informality of presentation.
The uniqueness of Our Tellings stems from the dedication of Hanna and Henry to capturing the spirit and substance of these tales by carefully translating them.
Foreword
Introduction
SPTAKWELH (CREATION STORIES)
Ntl'ik'semtm (Coyote's Son)
Coyote and His Son
The Trip to the Moon
Coyote and the Three Sisters
Coyote and Wolf
Coyote and Buffalo
Coyote and Wood Tick
Coyote Visits His Daughter in the North
Coyote and the Two Sisters
Why Newborn Animals Can Walk
Grizzly and the Bear Cubs
Grizzly and the Black Bear Cubs
The Four Bear Brothers
Transformers
Transformers
Transformer
Footprints
How Chipmunk Got His Stripes
Screech Owl
Raven
The Boy Who Was Abandoned
Sore Man
Man and Owl
Dog Travels to the Sun
The Country Divided
Grandfather and Grandson Work for Gold and Silver
SPILAXEM (NON-CREATION STORIES)
The Lost Hunter
Smuymn (Person with a Cane)
Why There Are Nlha7kapmx in Spokane
Sexpinlhemx's Wife Foretells the Coming of the White Men
Simon Fraser
First Encounter with Missionaries
The Coming of the White Man
Sun Dance
Nkw'i7tsutn (A Place to Dance)
Archdeacon Small
Xitl'ix (Nlha7kapmx Court)
Old Ways
Powers of the Sexwna7m (Healer/Doctor)
On the Boston Bar Trail
Listening to Stories
On the Trapline
Our Tellings
Making Baskets
Native Foods
Trips to Petani
The Road to Petani Valley
Ways of the Old People
Memories of Lytton
Passing on the Knowledge
Tellers and Translators
Afterword
Appendices
1. Orthographic Key for the Nlha7kapmx Alphabet, Lytton Dialect
2. Key to Tapings, Translations, and Transcriptions
Glossary of Nlha7kapmx Words
Bibliography
