Making it Easier for all...
This last spring (2017) I worked a few weeks with Simon Fraser University Professor, Donna Gerdts on a project to enhance the sound quality of recordings she had from local Halkomelem speakers telling stories about the past or from our history. Donna brought me to a few classes where we watched videos that previous students had made to go along with their stories, and she showed me her online venue for showcasing these stories to the public. The animations were basic and sketchy; yet took the storytelling to another level. I would like to bring more of these precious recordings and stories from the past to the public. First Nations languages are in the ‘endangered’ zone, and there is a wealth of work waiting to be brought into the current culture of education through technology to free online venues like Facebook, YouTube and Vimeo.
What is Halkomelem ?
Halkomelem is part of the Coast Salish Tribes of Northwestern North America languages.
There are 3 different dialects; Island, Upper River, and Lower River.
Each local area has their own variations as well (same as most languages), and is a very difficult language to learn.
Halkomelem is rated up their with Chinese as one of the world's hardest language to learn.
The language project
I learned in my Digital Media training that online 3D programs can be quite immersive. People get caught up in the realness of the quality, emotions, and shared experiences.
I've decided to use that feeling to create a video in our language that will be fun, immersive, and get you wanting more.
Helping community
When we are in community, first nations will hurry to help each other in many ways; through working together to help in celebration, grieving, and sports.
Many first nations do not have the resources to meet outside of community, and online is one of the ways to overcome those deficiencies.
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Adapting to loss..
We, as a 'different' culture, have accepted that we cannot go back to the way things were.
We adapt and change with the times, and learn to incorporate new ways of doing old things into our shared experience.
I'm hoping that people will be able to communicate together online in a peaceful, loving manner; and also to share this in the 'real' world.
First People's Cultural Council
The First Peoples' Cultural Council is a First Nations-run Crown Corporation with a mandate to support the revitalization of Indigenous languages, arts, culture and heritage in British Columbia. We provide funding and resources to
communities, monitor the status of First Nations languages and develop
policy recommendations for First Nations leadership and government.