This Week in History - Season 8 Episode 5: Language Revitalization
More than 50% of Canada's Indigenous languages originate in British Columbia and the Royal BC Museum is working hard to preserve them. Join the museum's former head of Indigenous collections and repatriation, Lucy Bell, to learn how this important work is performed.
Credit: RBCM
Collection Access
The Royal BC Museum is home to thousands of photographs, recordings and artifacts from many First Nations communities across the province. Veronica Cooper speaks with Lucy Bell, former head of First Nations and repatriation department, about the belongings in the museum’s collection and the work her department is doing to return items to their communities. From This Week in History Season 7 Episode 3.
Language Champion: Renee Sampson
Watch Language Champion Renee Sampson, from WSÁNEĆ (Saanich), speak about her indigenous language.
Credit: Video by RBCM
Have We Got a Story to Tell!
In the age of Twitter, when people express themselves with 280 characters and an emoji, traditional oral storytelling might seem like a lost art. The Royal BC Museum’s storytelling series shows how this art form is indeed alive and well, and can inspire cultural resurgence and language revitalization. From This Week in History Season 6 Episode 18.
Credit: RBCM
Our Living Languages
This feature film from the Our Living Languages exhibition tells the story of language transmission and revitalization efforts. It also reflects on the critical importance of language connection to culture and the diverse landscapes where these languages were born. The film features some of the First Peoples' Cultural Council Advisors from around the province who share their specialized knowledge and expertise.
Credit: RBCM/FPCC
Ida Halpern and Historic First Nations Song Recordings
Ida Halpern’s 20th century recordings of Indigenous peoples are remarkable. Now the collection of this Viennese musicologist, held at the Royal BC Museum, could be accepted into UNESCO’s Memory of the World register, for people around the globe to appreciate. From This Week in History Season 6 Episode 9.
Credit: RBCM
