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In a marriage with modern technology, the traditional ways will also be recorded for posterity on compact disks.
 Phillip Betthale is one of the people in Fort Liard who has been collecting stories of culture and tradition on a mini digital recorder. It's part of the community's Talking History project. - Derek Neary/NNSL photo |
Economic Development Officer Michael Pealow is overseeing the Talking History project. For the past six weeks, community members have been using one of three mini digital recorders to interview those who have witnessed history.
"In the old days, people used to share their stories by talking. Nothing was recorded," Pealow noted, adding that today's generation is preoccupied with computers, satellite TV and video games.
"There's a generation gap. But one day those kids are going to want to know about their grandparents and what their life was like."
The first CD has already been created. It explores people's thoughts on the importance of elders and their stories. It also features a traditional Slavey song.
A second CD will recall legends and a third will tell of past lifestyles in the Fort Liard area.
Because much of the material is recorded in Slavey, an English translation will be provided as well.
Phillip Betthale has recorded the bulk of the interviews so far. He said he fears the Slavey language may be out of reach for most youth today. Notwithstanding, he maintains that it's still possible to teach them some traditional ways. He has been inviting adolescents to Dene drumming and hand games sessions in the evening.
What cultural practices Betthale can't pass on himself, he's been trying to glean from the elders. He said his father has already told him much, but he has approached other seniors in the community discreetly.
"You've got to take it easy with the elders. You can't just walk in and say, 'Tell me about medicine,'" Betthale advised, adding that he spent as long as two hours and 45 minutes with one interviewee.
