An Overview of THE LEGENDS: A CBC RADIO LEGACY PROJECT (Gwich'in) Capsule: We transcribe, translate and produce foundational stories of Canada’s Aboriginal communities, for broadcast on CBC Radio. These adaptations are dramatized and recorded in English and the native language of each community, and form an archive for nationwide language and cultural preservation programs. a) What is it: These distinctive community productions create regional, national, and international radio and digital programming, showcasing the mosaic indigenous cultures that make up the vast continent of Canada. For too many Canadians the Aboriginal peoples of this country are those people over there, on the reserve, in the darker parts of cities, living in poverty. Much of this has historical roots in the creation of reserves and in the paternalistic Indian Act that many would argue limited their educational and economic development. What it didn't limit however is their rich cultural history. This project shines a light on aboriginal culture in a way most Canadians have never seen or heard. For the First Nations of Canada it gives pride to language rejuvenation and historical traditions and in so doing may help improve cross-cultural awareness and appreciation. b) What we do: - We record ancient Aboriginal legends told by Elders in First Nations or Inuit communities, from the Atlantic, to the Pacific, to the Arctic. - Since 2002 we have worked with 12 communities, and dramatized more than 100 First Nations stories. - We collect and transcribe oral narratives in the original language; then translate, adapt, lightly dramatize, cast, and record their stories for broadcast on Canada’s national airwaves. c) Our methodology: - The source of all these stories is always the Elders and first language speakers in each community. - All recordings take place in the community: the Elders, the dramatized versions (in English and the original language), and all music and songs. - All sounds are authentic and gathered on location. d) What we produce: - A one-hour show featuring a collection of dramatized indigenous pre-contact stories, each 5 to 15 minutes in length, with narrative links. - Stories that tell how the universe, the skies, the earth, and all its creatures were created, how heroes, tricksters and spirits win battles, solve mysteries, and change the world. - Polished productions using local performers, traditional music and songs, with unique richly textured sound beds unlike anything else on radio. - Interactive bilingual or trilingual CD Roms. - Web content for CBC’s Aboriginal dedicated portal. - An archive of powerful stories representing thousands of years of oral history. - Recordings for language revitalization, entertainment and pride. e) Communities Involved: To date we have worked with the following communities in Canada: The Inuit of Baffin Island, Nunavut The Mushuau Innu of Natuashish, Labrador The Shuswap of Salmon Arm, British Columbia The Old Massett Haida, Haida Gwaii, British Columbia The Mi’kmaq of Eskasoni, Cape Breton, Newfoundland The Blood Tribe, (Blackfoot) of southern Alberta. The Pekaukamiulnuatsh (Montagnais of Lac St. Jean), Quebec The Gwich’in of the Northwest Territories, N.W.T. The Kwak’wala of Alert Bay, B.C. The Ahtahkakoop Cree of Sandy Lake, Saskatchewan The Six Nations of the Grand River, (Cayuga), Ontario f) Next Steps: The Legends Project is currently working with the Six Nations of the Grand River, Ontario. In 2011 we recorded Stories from the Longhouse (spoken in the Cayuga language). Including each of the Six Nations in this project is an ambitious undertaking, but we hope to work with the Mohawk, Seneca, Oneida, Tuscarora and Onondagas during the next two years. (Cayuga, Seneca and Tuscarora are considered ‘severely endangered’.) Legends of the Gwich’in Language: Gwich’in (Dinjii Zhu’ Ginjik) Language family: Athapaskan (Dene) Location: Inuvik, 2 degrees above the Arctic Circle on the Mackenzie River and Delta. Facts: One of the most northerly aboriginal peoples on the North American continent, living at the northwestern limits of the boreal forest. Only the Inuit live farther north. Part of a larger family of Aboriginal people known as Athapaskans. Primary communities are Fort McPherson, Tsiigehtchic, Aklavik and Inuvik. This was the eighth Legends project working with people striving to protect and revitalize their endangered language. The Elders involved came from all four communities in the Gwich'in Settlement Area: Elizabeth Greenland (Inuvik), Mary Kendi (Aklavik), Hyacinthe Andre, Annie Norbert & Gabe Andrew (Tsiigehtchic) & Eunice Mitchell (Fort McPherson). These stories feature the heroes, culture and magic of the traditional Gwich'in oral legends, against a sound backdrop of their harsh northern landscape. Dramatized Legend: We have adapted and lightly dramatized more than 100 legends. The 'scripts' are recorded twice: in English, with elements of the native language used in dialogue and for place names; and then recorded completely in the native language. Whenever possible a written copy of both versions is archived. Below is a sample page from a dramatized version of a Gwich’in legend, Ahts’an Vee. Ahts’an Veh (Grey Wings) Italics = Gwich’in 1 SOUND/SONG SONG - LULLABYE FOR LOST CHILD 2 NARRATOR They call me Ahts’an Vee. Grey Wings. I was from around here. This is where I was born. But when I was young – I don’t know how old I was, but I was very young - the Eskimos took me away. They say I was stolen. I was kidnapped - shi’t’rinuu’ih! 3 MUSIC SONG CRIES 4 NARRATOR They took me to where they lived, down to the coast. And I lived there, with them, with the Eskimos - Eneekaii kat. There were no Gwich’in there. I didn’t even speak Gwich’in. I was raised as an Eskimo. 5 MUSIC/SOUND NIGHT, DANGER. 6 NARRATOR After a very long time, I knew I had to leave. There were always two people on each side of my blanket, to make sure I didn’t run away. One of them had a small knife. 7 MUSIC KNIFE, DANGER 8 NARRATOR I got hold of the knife - and I got out. 9 SOUND NIGHT FREEDOM 10 NARRATOR There were two men sleeping outside on a piece of driftwood -- 11 SOUND/MUSIC w/t LAST GUSH, BLOOD,VIOLENT (+w/t) End of sample.

Contributor:

Producers: Leah Shaw, Barbara Worthy, Dave Redel. Contributors for this audio sample include: Louis Thomas, Alestine Andre, Lucille Bell, David Serkoak, representing the following communities: The Inuit of Iqaluit, Nunavut, Old Massett Haida of Haida Gwa

Coverage:

Canada

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CBC Radio 2012

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