In collaboration with Hul'q'umi'num' Language and Culture Collective, the Cowichan Valley Museum Archives presents a new exhibit called tthu hwsteli hwulmuhw Coast Salish Canoe Pullers.
Featuring words, sound, and videos in Hul'q'umi'num' from the Elders and language teachers, the exhibit explores the importance of canoes to the language and culture. It is being held to coincide with the 125th anniversary of the Cowichan canoe races.
This exhibit, which aims to raise awareness about the preservation of the Hul'q'umi'num' language, will be on view until Nov. 14, but this summer you can hear a special program of storytellers in downtown Duncan.
Th e Story telling in Hul'q'umi'num' programming featuring storytelling with Elders will take place on Wednesday afternoons in July from 4-5 p.m. at the Summer Festival main stage in Charles Hoey Park. You can meet the speakers at the museum from 5-6 p.m. The schedule is: July 15, Ruby Peter "The Thunderbird at Cowichan Bay"; July 22, Willie Seymour "The First Canoe Race"; and July 29, George Seymour "The Blind Wolf".
The Hul'q'umi'num' Language and Culture Collective has developed a website that includes resource materials, videos, and information about upcoming programming. Please visit the site at http://snuhwulh.hwulmuhwqun.ca/.
Funding for this project has been provided by a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council grant and Jacob's Research Fund grants.
The Cowichan Valley Museum Archives is located in the heritage-designated Duncan Train Station on Canada Avenue in Duncan. Summer hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. Admission is by donation. For more information call Curator/Manager Kathryn Gagnon at 250-746-6612, or email cvmuseum.archives@shaw.ca or go to www.cowichanvalleymuseum. bc.ca