What Are The Similarities Between First Nation And Sami People

First Nation and Sami People are two different First People groups that have stories that reflect their cultural beliefs, practices and way of life. Both groups have different beliefs, traditions, and cultures, but stories play a very important role in both of their lives. Their stories have similarities and differences which set them apart. They share stories similarly with the goal to teach, inspire, and entertain, but the content and spiritual figures can be vastly different.

Indigenous stories are rarely transcribed and almost always shared orally, this is mainly due to residential schools and times where practicing their culture was banned. If stories and other practices were written out, and communities relied solely on them in order

Their spirituality was traditionally natural and shamanic, they shared a strong connection to the natural world and many stories involve elements of nature, spirits, and natural superbeings. They believe that spirits ruled all aspects of nature, and of their lives. All animals, plants and inanimate objects have a soul, and many stories revolve around their duty to protect and maintain peace with these spirits (Religion). On the other hand the First Nations are indigenous to Ontario and other western provinces, but make up the majority of the population in the Northwest Territories, Yukon, Manitoba and Saskatechewan (Aboriginal Peoples in Canada). Their stories often have themes of nature, spirituality, morality and community, many stories often revolve around the relationships that exist between animals and humans. They often teach the importance of living in harmony and peace with all living beings. The First Nation Peoples viewed animals to be very powerful and special creatures that they looked up to, they were considered to be like family to the First Nations (Chakayla, Ela,

These stories almost always have spiritual figures, in Sami stories, the Bieggaålmaj, (the ‘wind god’), the Akka (female spirits) and the Stallo (clumsy, man-eating giants of the wilderness) are commonly used in stories (A Story of Nature and Persecution). In many First Nation stories, many common figures are animals such as the raven, eagle, and buffalo (Animal Stories). Many of their stories revolve around the creation of earth, animals, and mankind, whereas the Sami use many teaching stories to teach the next group of children. Although a similar theme they both commonly possess is the importance of peace, respect, and balance in nature. Animals are also viewed to be greatly respected and are symbols of strength, wisdom, guidance, and