An Overview of THE LEGENDS: A CBC RADIO LEGACY PROJECT (Haida)"Capsule: We transcribe, translate and produce foundational stories of Canada’s Aboriginal communities, for broadcast on CBC Radio. These adaptations are dramatized and recorded in English and the native language of each community, and form an archive for nationwide language and cultural preservation programs."a) What is it:"These distinctive community productions create regional, national, and international radio and digital programming, showcasing the mosaic indigenous cultures that make up the vast continent of Canada. For too many Canadians the Aboriginal peoples of this country are those people over there, on the reserve, in the darker parts of cities, living in poverty. Much of this has historical roots in the creation of reserves and in the paternalistic Indian Act that many would argue limited their educational and economic development. What it didn't limit however is their rich cultural history. This project shines a light on aboriginal culture in a way most Canadians have never seen or heard. For the First Nations of Canada it gives pride to language rejuvenation and historical traditions and in so doing may help improve cross-cultural awareness and appreciation."b) What we do:"- We record ancient Aboriginal legends told by Elders in First Nations or Inuit communities, from the Atlantic, to the Pacific, to the Arctic."- Since 2002 we have worked with 12 communities, and dramatized more than 100 First Nations stories."- We collect and transcribe oral narratives in the original language; then translate, adapt, lightly dramatize, cast, and record their stories for broadcast on Canada’s national airwaves."c) Our methodology:"- The source of all these stories is always the Elders and first language speakers in each community."- All recordings take place in the community: the Elders, the dramatized versions (in English and the original language), and all music and songs."- All sounds are authentic and gathered on location."d) What we produce:"- A one-hour show featuring a collection of dramatized indigenous pre-contact stories, each 5 to 15 minutes in length, with narrative links."- Stories that tell how the universe, the skies, the earth, and all its creatures were created, how heroes, tricksters and spirits win battles, solve mysteries, and change the world."- Polished productions using local performers, traditional music and songs, with unique richly textured sound beds unlike anything else on radio."- Interactive bilingual or trilingual CD Roms."- Web content for CBC’s Aboriginal dedicated portal."- An archive of powerful stories representing thousands of years of oral history."- Recordings for language revitalization, entertainment and pride."e) Communities Involved:"To date we have worked with the following communities in Canada:"The Inuit of Baffin Island, Nunavut"The Mushuau Innu of Natuashish, Labrador"The Shuswap of Salmon Arm, British Columbia"The Old Massett Haida, Haida Gwaii, British Columbia"The Mi’kmaq of Eskasoni, Cape Breton, Newfoundland"The Blood Tribe, (Blackfoot) of southern Alberta."The Pekaukamiulnuatsh (Montagnais of Lac St. Jean), Quebec"The Gwich’in of the Northwest Territories, N.W.T."The Kwak’wala of Alert Bay, B.C."The Ahtahkakoop Cree of Sandy Lake, Saskatchewan"The Six Nations of the Grand River, (Cayuga), Ontario"f) Next Steps:"The Legends Project is currently working with the Six Nations of the Grand River, Ontario. In 2011 we recorded Stories from the Longhouse (spoken in the Cayuga language). Including each of the Six Nations in this project is an ambitious undertaking, but we hope to work with the Mohawk, Seneca, Oneida, Tuscarora and Onondagas during the next two years. (Cayuga, Seneca and Tuscarora are considered ‘severely endangered’.) "Legends of the Haida"Language: Xaad Kil"Language family: Language isolate "Location: Old Massett, Haida Gwaii. An archipelago north west British Columbia. The village of Old Massett is on the northern tip of the islands. Haida Gwaii “Islands of the Haida” was formerly known as "Queen Charlotte Islands."In July 2005 the production team worked closely with fluent speakers of Xaad Kil to record these legends in their original oral form. At the Dii Tuulang Naay Family Centre in Old Massett, Haidas read the parts of the mythical or ancient characters in five stories. The stories were then mixed with the actual sounds -- ravens, eagles, frogs, ocean, wind, and rain -- found on Haida Gwaii. "Dramatized Legend:"We have adapted and lightly dramatized more than 100 legends. The 'scripts' are recorded twice: in English, with elements of the native language used in dialogue and for place names; and then recorded completely in the native language. Whenever possible a written copy of both versions is archived. Below is a sample page from a dramatized version "of a Haida legend, Baby Octopus."Baby Octopus"SOUNDTHE GREAT SEA"NARRATORA long, long time ago, before white me came to the island, this story was told by the elders. The children were warned not to play with living things in the water."GRANDPARENTDon’t treat them meanly – don’t hurt any living thing. "NARRATORThey were told over and over again."GRANDPARENTEven the living things in the forest. Don’t touch the birds’ eggs. Don’t touch their nests, and don’t hurt the baby animals that you see. Higaanthl kinguu gam aa tlhagaangaa gam tlaaglaan staang. "SOUNDTIDE TURNING, WIND CHANGING"NARRATOROne day when the tide was down, the two grandchildren were going down to the beach."CHILD 1 Aa daalaang isdaalsaang. "GRANDPARENTNow remember, don’t touch any living thing that’s in the sea. You must be careful."CHILDREN[laughing, running away]"NARRATORAnd they ran down to the beach and into the water. Running and playing until it was getting late, and the sky grew darker."GRANDPARENTAagee’! Come – some food is ready for you. Haal gataauu!" "CHILDREN[distant laughter]"NARRATORBut the children didn’t listen, and carried on playing. "SOUNDSTONES, WIND, BIRDS, SOFT WAVES "End of sample.

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