Radio Project records and translates stories from Gwich'in elders

Legends to broadcast across Canada

Project records and translates stories from Gwich'in elders

Daron Letts
Northern News Services
Published Monday, Oct. 12, 2009

http://nnsl.com/northern-news-services/stories/papers/oct12_09eld-arts.html

[excerpt]

SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Radio listeners across the country will soon enjoy five Gwich'in legends broadcast over the CBC.

Dick Miller, a documentary producer from CBC Halifax, works with Inuvik actor Bonnie Ross last February to record a radio play based on Gwich'in legend. - photo courtesy of Leah Shaw

The stories make up an episode of the national CBC radio program, Ideas, scheduled to air on Monday, Oct. 26, 2009 at 9 p.m. (MTN).

The Gwich'in Social and Cultural Institute collected and recorded the legends in partnership with the public broadcaster's Radio Legacy Project, an ongoing initiative in which radio dramas based on First Nations oral traditions are produced for a national audience.

Producers with the CBC approached the institute about the project in 2007. In 2008, Alestine Andre, Heritage Researcher with the institute, accompanied B.C. CBC producer Leah Shaw as she met with elders from the Gwich'in communities. They recorded stories by Elizabeth Greenland of Inuvik, Mary Kendi of Aklavik, Annie Norbert and Gabe Andre of Tsiigehtchic, and Eunice Mitchell of Fort McPherson.