Children Learn Narragansett Culture Through Stories

Narragansett Storyteller, Loren Spears, visited the Friday afternoon. Spears has been giving presentations about her native culture around Rhode Island for over 25 years. Presentations include stories and introductions to objects important to her culture.

“That’s the fun part of my job,” said Spears. “I love being able to share and educate about native culture.”

Spears comes from a long line of storytellers. She believes that stories are an important part of keeping traditions and the Narragansett culture alive. Spears serves as director of the Tomaquag Indian Memorial Museum and the Nuweetooun School.

To begin the presentation, Spears led some of the children in a welcoming dance that is done often in her culture. As they danced, Spears kept the beat and sang the lyrics to the song.

Spears had brought along pictures of traditional garments, quahog shells, and various animal furs. She explained to the children and parents the significance of each object.

“[These are] things for the kids to see, to make it real and make the connection,” said Spears. 

The quahog shell is honored in Narragansett culture. The shell is broken up and made into jewelry or sewed onto their traditional garments. 

As an end to the presentation, Spears showed a short animation film created by students at the Nuweetooun School at the Tomaquag Museum. The film, entitled “How Birds Got Their Song” was featured at the Providence Film Festival. Music and drawings were all done by children from kindergarten to grade 8.

“For the kids to tell a story and learn a story that they heard from their elders,” said Spears. 

It is important for children to learn about a variety of subjects, especially about subjects that are close to them. Although the Narragansett’s now reside on smaller land than they once did, they are still important to the history and culture of Rhode Island, Spears said.

“In the modern world there are a lot of misconceptions about native culture,” said Spears. “Our mission is to promote dialogue and promote understanding.”

The visit by Spears is just one of a number of summer activities at Cranston libraries. Summer vacation does not mean the end of learning for children in Cranston.