<P> There are various types of stories among many indigenous communities . Communication in Indigenous American communities is rich with stories, myths, philosophies and narratives that serve as a means to exchange information . These stories may be used for coming of age themes, core values, morality, literacy and history . Very often, the stories are used to instruct and teach children about cultural values and lessons . The meaning within the stories is not always explicit, and children are expected to make their own meaning of the stories . In the Lakota Tribe of North America, for example, young girls are often told the story of the White Buffalo Calf Woman, who is a spiritual figure that protects young girls from the whims of men . In the Odawa Tribe, young boys are often told the story of a young man who never took care of his body, and as a result, his feet fail to run when he tries to escape predators . This story serves as an indirect means of encouraging the young boys to take care of their bodies . </P> <P> Narratives can be shared to express the values or morals among family, relatives, or people who are considered part of the close - knit community . Many stories in indigenous American communities all have a "surface" story, that entails knowing certain information and clues to unlocking the metaphors in the story . The underlying message of the story being told, can be understood and interpreted with clues that hint to a certain interpretation . In order to make meaning from these stories, elders in the Sto: Lo community for example, emphasize the importance in learning how to listen, since it requires the senses to bring one's heart and mind together . For instance, a way in which children learn about the metaphors significant for the society they live in, is by listening to their elders and participating in rituals where they respect one another . </P> <P> Some people also make a case for different narrative forms being classified as storytelling in the contemporary world . For example, digital storytelling, online and dice - and - paper - based role - playing games . In traditional role - playing games, storytelling is done by the person who controls the environment and the non playing fictional characters, and moves the story elements along for the players as they interact with the storyteller . The game is advanced by mainly verbal interactions, with dice roll determining random events in the fictional universe, where the players interact with each other and the storyteller . This type of game has many genres, such as sci - fi and fantasy, as well as alternate - reality worlds based on the current reality, but with different setting and beings such as werewolves, aliens, daemons, or hidden societies . These oral - based role - playing games were very popular in the 1990s among circles of youth in many countries before computer and console - based online MMORPG's took their place . Despite the prevalence of computer - based MMORPGs, the dice - and - paper RPG still has a dedicated following . </P> <P> Stories in indigenous cultures encompass a variety of values . These values include an emphasis on individual responsibility, concern for the environment and communal welfare . </P>

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