Traditional Native Storytelling with Roger Fernandes: “Salmon Boy”

Summary

Roger Fernandes, a Native American artist and storyteller from the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, shares a meaningful story about a 'bad' boy who learns valuable lessons from the salmon people. Through his time with the salmon, he teaches his community the importance of respecting nature and the interconnectedness of life. The story emphasizes the impact of human actions on the environment and the significance of honoring the salmon. Roger also introduces the basics of Coast Salish art, focusing on three key shapes—circle, crescent, and trigon—to create designs representing animals and people.

Takeaways

• 😀 The story of Salmon Boy teaches the importance of respecting and protecting the natural world, particularly the salmon, which is considered the most important being in the speaker's culture.
• 😀 The salmon is central to the survival of many creatures, including humans, and is honored through rituals like returning their bones to the water.
• 😀 The boy in the story starts as a rebellious and disrespectful character but undergoes a transformation after learning a valuable lesson from the salmon people.
• 😀 The story emphasizes that the actions of humans on land directly affect the lives of creatures in the water, showcasing the interconnectedness of all life.
• 😀 The boy’s experience with the salmon people teaches him to respect the salmon and become a teacher to his own people, sharing the wisdom he has learned.
• 😀 Storytelling in Native American culture is about self-reflection and learning. Listeners are encouraged to find personal meaning and lessons from the story rather than being told what to learn.
• 😀 The concept of 'Salmon People' refers to the idea that salmon are sacred beings living in villages under the ocean, playing a vital role in the ecosystem.
• 😀 The art of the Coast Salish people is centered around three simple shapes: circles, crescents, and trigons, which are used to form complex designs.
• 😀 In Coast Salish art, the shapes themselves are not the only focus; what's between the shapes is equally important in creating meaning and structure.
• 😀 Roger Fernandes encourages others to create their own designs based on the Coast Salish principles, focusing on imagination and personal expression.
• 😀 The act of storytelling and artistic creation in Native American cultures serves as a powerful way to connect to both the natural world and the community's cultural values.

Q & A

What is the significance of the salmon to the Native American people in the story?

The salmon is the most important being in the world to the Native American people in the story. It is essential for life in the area, as it sustains various animals, plants, and even the people themselves. The salmon are considered 'salmon people' who live in villages under the ocean and play a vital role in the ecosystem.

Why does the little boy in the story get in trouble with the salmon people?

The little boy throws the salmon bones into the bushes instead of returning them to the water, which is an act of disrespect to the salmon people. This causes harm to the salmon people, as their bodies rely on the returned bones to continue the cycle of life.

How does the boy change throughout the story?

At the beginning of the story, the boy is selfish, rude, and disobedient. After being saved by the salmon people and spending time with them, he learns the importance of respect for nature and the interconnectedness of life. He returns to his village, now humble and wiser, to teach his people the lesson he learned.

What lesson does the boy teach his village upon returning?

The boy teaches the village that the things people do on the land affect the creatures that live in the water, such as the salmon. He emphasizes the need to respect and protect the house of the salmon people and the environment as a whole.

Why is it important to return the salmon bones to the water?

Returning the salmon bones to the water is a way of showing respect and honoring the salmon people. The bones are believed to help the salmon return, ensuring the continuation of the cycle of life and maintaining balance in the ecosystem.

What is the significance of the shapes used in Coast Salish art?

The shapes in Coast Salish art—circles, crescents, and trigons—are fundamental to the designs. These shapes represent elements of nature and animals. The design process also focuses on the spaces between the shapes, which adds depth and meaning to the artwork.

What does the term 'trigon' mean in Coast Salish art?

In Coast Salish art, a 'trigon' refers to a shape that resembles a triangle but has curved sides, rather than straight lines. It is one of the three primary shapes used in their art, alongside circles and crescents.

How did the boy realize that the little salmon girl was suffering?

The boy saw the little salmon girl struggling and noticed she had no bones in her legs and arms, causing her pain. He understood that her condition was a result of the bones he had thrown away, which had prevented them from reaching the salmon people.

What do the salmon people symbolize in this story?

The salmon people symbolize the interconnectedness of all life and the importance of respecting nature. They are depicted as beings who live under the ocean and care for the boy, showing the reciprocal relationship between humans and nature.

What question does the story encourage the audience to think about?

The story encourages the audience to think about how our actions on land affect the creatures in the water and the world around us. It also asks how a bad, mean boy could change and become a teacher of wisdom.