3 Indigenous storytellers on why we tell scary stories [Video]

Indigenous stories often have teachings behind them, and scary ones are no exception, say three storytellers.

Richard Van Camp, who is Tlicho from Fort Smith, N.W.T., has written 30 books in many genres. Two of his most recent are from the horror genre.

Van Camp said traditional storytellers were telling stories to keep children safe, and a lot of the stories youth are told are about respect, empathy, and taking care of themselves.

He said stories about why kids should go home when the street lights turned on were told to keep children safe from things that linger in the dark.

“We were taught, you know, not to look out because you don’t know who or what’s looking in,” he said.

“I close the drapes really early as soon as it gets dark.”

WATCH | Richard Van Camp on the power of story: Richard Van Camp, whose recently published two horror stories, discusses why it’s important to share scary stories …