Storywalk, 'Grandmother Tales' celebrate Native culture

COEUR d’ALENE — Visitors to the Coeur d'Alene Public Library this month will be able to explore American Indian cultural tales through the new outdoor Storywalk exhibit.

"The goal for both of us is to get the public out and learn a little bit about Native culture," said Sarai Mays, Indian education coordinator for the Coeur d'Alene School District, a partner in the project. "Maybe through the Storywalk they'll get curious and look a little deeper."

Displays of two American Indian stories, "Raven" by Gerald McDermott and "The Legend of the Indian Paint Brush" by Tomie DePaola, have been installed in stages in McEuen Park adjacent to the library. They will be up through November in recognition of American Indian Heritage Month.

"I saw this originally in Montana and thought, 'Wow, we should do this here,'" Mays said. "'Raven' is so beautifully illustrated. Really they both are, but 'Raven' has bright colors and 'Raven' plays into a lot of our stories."

Mays, a member of the Chickasaw Nation, will be presenting stories during the "Grandmother Tales" at the library at 4 p.m. Tuesday and 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Shirley Parker Storyroom in the children’s library. The free programs will feature dreamcatcher crafting and maple popcorn using Mays' grandmother's family recipe.

Mays said when children are exposed to more information about Native cultures, it gives them a more well-rounded worldview. She will also be presenting story time in local schools this month.

"It's the questions that are the best. Kids just ask such great questions, and it seems like with storytelling they really get engaged in it," she said. "I love to tell stories, and most of them have been given to me from other people or passed down from my grandparents."