Winter as a Time for Storytelling
As winter settles in, it’s a natural time to slow down and come together. In many Indigenous cultures, the coldest months have long been a time for storytelling—when communities gather to share knowledge, experiences, and teachings through stories. These stories teach language, history, and connections to the land, while also offering comfort and enjoyment.
Stories of the Land honours these traditions while welcoming people of all cultures. Storytelling is something we all share—it helps us learn, connect, and build community. By making space for stories at EPL, the library continues its role as a gathering place for shared experiences. For February 2026, EPL invites everyone to pause during the winter season, listen, and celebrate the many voices and histories that shape our community.
Stories of the Land and Voices of the Land
Stories of the Land is closely related to Voices of the Land, an inclusive online space dedicated to fostering the creation, sharing, discovery, and celebration of local Indigenous content in Alberta. It serves as a platform for Indigenous individuals, communities, and organizations to share their history, knowledge, vision, and unique perspectives. It is a place where the richness of Indigenous cultures, traditions, art, language, and stories can be shared and preserved for generations to come.
Explore Stories Through Our Booklists
For community members who would like to explore stories and storytelling traditions further, we’ve created two Booklists to help adults and children find materials both in branches and online:
Indigenous Storytelling Month, held in February, honours the long tradition of sharing stories during winter, a time when many Indigenous communities gather to reflect, pass on teachings and share knowledge. These stories carry language, history, identity, lessons about the land, relationships and ways of living. We will celebrate Stories of the Land from February 11 to 22, 2026, with special events on Family Day at many EPL branches.
Indigenous Storytelling Month, held in February, honours the long tradition of sharing stories during winter, a time when many Indigenous communities gather to reflect, pass on teachings, and share knowledge. These stories carry language, history, identity, and lessons about the land, relationships, and ways of living.
Storytelling Activities Across EPL Branches
From Wednesday, Feb. 11 to Sunday, Feb. 22, branches throughout the city will host storytelling activities and scavenger hunts for our young customers, with many locations offering special programming on Family Day, Monday, Feb. 16. Click here, opens a new window for details.
The Stanley A. Milner Library will be hosting several events throughout the month, including:
- Voices of the Land Storytelling Gathering (Thursday, Feb. 5 - 12:30 p.m. – 3 p.m.)
- PÎYÊSÎW WÂSKÂHIKAN and Voices of the Land - Community Tea and Open House (Friday, Feb 6 - 3 p.m. – 6 p.m.)
- Qulliq Lighting with Inuit Elder Myna Manniapik (Sunday, Feb. 15 - 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.)
- Stories Between Us: Listening and Legacy with Lorna Dancey (Monday, Feb. 16 - 1:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.)
- Voices of the Land Storytelling Gathering (Wednesday, Feb. 25 - 12:30 p.m. – 5 p.m.)
- Winter Storytime with Kokum Lorette (Saturday, Feb. 28 - 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.)
An Invitation to Listen and Connect
Join us this winter for Stories of the Land. Come listen, learn, and connect through storytelling as we gather, share, and celebrate the voices and histories that shape our community. Everyone is welcome!
If you want, I can also adapt this for a web landing page (shorter sections, more scannable) or tweak the headings to feel more poetic or more informational.
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