Ep. 74c - The Story of Lata: Part 3

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First Language usage has diminished in many First Nations communities. Being only one generation away from language extinction has prompted a concerted effort to re-introduce first language use in a dynamic way.

February 21st is International Mother Language Day and in many First Nations communities, first language use is so diminished that only a few elders speak their mother tongue fluently. Being only one generation away from language extinction has prompted a concerted effort to find ways to transfer that knowledge and re-introduce first language in a dynamic way to children and youth. This is a great challenge in a world of 21st century mass media.

Our World, the project that inspired this dossier, enables young people to make their first language relevant to them by applying it to stories they create with contemporary media.

Can you relate to this situation? Do you have ideas or opinions to share? Upload your media and comment HERE!

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Ep. 74c - The Story of Lata: Part 3

Contributed by Citizen Shift

Creator:

Outer Voices Project

Length: 19:46

License: Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives (by-nc-nd)

Year of Production: 2008

This week's podcast comes from the Outer Voices Project, a multi-media series documenting the stories of women peace activists from the traditional cultures of the Pacific Islands and the Asian Pacific Rim.

The Story of Lata looks at how nga Taumako, the people of a remote part of Solomon Islands, strive to sustain their ancestral practices in canoe-building and navigating at sea, among other traditions.

"We listen to the older women who remember the old days of sailing, and who consider their role were this tradition to be revived. And we also consider the reality of modern life, which they are slowly being required to adapt to. How feasible is it to revive these ancient arts, which take time to learn?"

According to Outer Voices, producers of this podcast, "listeners will also come away from Outer Voices with new perspectives on how activism as practiced in traditional cultures (i.e., interwoven into the fabric of family, community, commerce, spirituality, and cultural practice) can have powerful collective results in confronting the ills of “modern” society, and contribute to more fulfilling lives for activists as individuals."

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Ep. 74c - The Story of Lata: Part 3

Ep. 74c - The Story of Lata: Part 3

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