The pandemic has limited opportunities for storytelling and knowledge-sharing, but a new podcast is doing its part to preserve and share those stories and that knowledge.

Literacy Central Vancouver IslandB次元官网网址檚 Indigenous literacy program has started the Red Feather Podcast, a project intended to connect speakers and listeners with themes of Indigenous literacy and wellness.

Indigenous literacy program coordinator Aimee Chalifoux and Indigenous literacy program assistant Janelle Minoza created the podcast after identifying gaps in connections with Indigenous people and noting the increasing popularity of podcasts.

Chalifoux told the B次元官网网址 Bulletin sheB次元官网网址檚 excited about the conversations being recorded. She and Minoza have been speaking with Indigenous B次元官网网址渒nowledge-keepersB次元官网网址� B次元官网网址� community members entrusted with passing down traditional stories and teachings B次元官网网址� on a range of lifestyle and cultural topics.

B次元官网网址淭hrough COVID weB次元官网网址檝e lost our ceremonies,B次元官网网址� says Chalifoux in a press release from Literacy CVI. B次元官网网址淲e canB次元官网网址檛 go to our lodges, we canB次元官网网址檛 go to our sweats B次元官网网址� there are so many things that we havenB次元官网网址檛 been able to connect with that are vital to our health and our wellness. So this was sort of our way of being able to bridge that gap, by connecting to knowledge keepers so they can pass that on to us.B次元官网网址�

Chalifoux is of Cree and Saulteaux M茅tis descent and Minoza is of Dene First Nation and M茅tis descent. The podcast hosts intend to have conversations with Indigenous learners who receive support through Literacy CVI and give them a chance to talk about their B次元官网网址渦nique journeys and life experiences,B次元官网网址� the release noted.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e just really excited to meet with other people who we connect with,B次元官网网址� Minoza said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 my hope that it opens more doors for the learners to share their stories.B次元官网网址�

The podcast project is receiving funding from the First Nations Health Authority. Samantha Letourneau, executive director of Literacy Central Vancouver Island, said in the release that the agency makes an effort to offer programming relevant to the community.

B次元官网网址淭his podcast is an example of thisB次元官网网址�B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淸It] provides opportunities for Indigenous peoples to change the dominant narrative. Through self-representations that challenge the stereotypical (mis)representations frequently presented in mainstream society, the storytellers in this podcast are presenting authentic reflections and knowledge on culture, beliefs, wellness and community B次元官网网址� all important elements in community-based literacy.B次元官网网址�

To access the Red Feather Podcast on Spotify, .

editor@nanaimobulletin.com
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