I must’ve been about 17-years-old when I first seen the ‘tall guy’. I was walking back home from hanging out with friends at a local park that was situated in the heart of the community. I remember it was the first few days of Fall and the air was chilly. I hurried along as I was only a few minutes away from my 11pm curfew — so I picked up the pace right before the Catholic Church, and as I rounded the corner to my house I saw him. Initially, I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me as I seen what looked like a very slim, very tall figure step behind the light pole. The sight made me stop dead in my tracks and I could feel my heart beating beneath my green hoodie. I stood there for a moment trying hard to focus on the street light when it seemed as though the tall shadowy figure, who also looked like he wore a top hat, disappeared into the night. I slowly began walking back home again, my eyes darting all around me, searching for any clue or understanding of what I just saw.
Who doesn’t love a scary story? It seems many people do, albeit frightened yet relieved to share they’ve experienced some sort of encounter with the spirit world.
Stories — similar to the one above, can be read on Akwesasne Scary Stories, which launched last week after community member Kanentahawi Delisle saw a similar page created in Kahnawake. Delisle posted to the page’s description “what better way to take our minds off of everything going on right now than to read some REAL scary stories. Feel free to add anyone. Don’t be shy share a story or a scary picture. Video clips if you got them. The scarier the better.”
Stories range from personal accounts to local urban legends and everything in between. The page also boasts photos and short videos of these spooky encounters, which are recounted by page enthusiasts who seem to have a flair for some good storytelling!
The page officially launched on March 24th and now has over 1700 members.
In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, the tradition of oral storytelling seems more important than ever, especially when most of the community is in self-isolation and practicing safe social distancing.
By: Regan Jacobs
