How many of us in B.C. can say 鈥渉ello鈥� in the language of the people on whose traditional territory we live, work and play?

You might find yourself expanding your vocabulary 鈥� and appreciation for the state of Indigenous languages spoken in B.C. 鈥� after visiting the Museum & Archives of Vernon (MAV) to view the Our Living Languages: First Peoples鈥� Voices in BC travelling exhibition.

Learn what First Nations communities throughout the province are doing to help 34 different languages survive and flourish, in the exhibition from the Royal BC Museum and First Peoples鈥� Cultural Council that celebrates the resilience and diversity of Indigenous languages in the face of change.

鈥淲e are thrilled to be hosting this exhibit until May of 2024,鈥� said Gwyneth Evans, MAV Head of Archives. 鈥淲e are especially interested in enhancing the exhibit even further through the inclusion of a closer look at nsyilxc蓹n, the language of the Syilx People of the Okanagan Nation, on whose Traditional, Ancestral, and Unceded Territory the MAV is located.鈥�

Languages, especially the languages we grow up with, are powerful and potent markers of identity and culture. B.C., one of the planet鈥檚 most linguistically diverse regions, is known as a linguistic 鈥渉otspot鈥� because of the diversity and vitality of the First Nations languages in the province.

Through interactive stations, video and audio, the exhibit provides visitors with the opportunity to learn more about the history of disrupted languages in B.C., the complexity of these languages, and the people 鈥� and entire communities 鈥� that are working tirelessly to document and revitalize them.

The original exhibition of the same name was developed in partnership with the First Peoples鈥� Cultural Council and was displayed at the Royal BC Museum in Victoria before being adapted and developed as a travelling exhibition to be enjoyed by people throughout the province. The MAV would like to acknowledge the support of Vantage One Credit Union in bringing this exhibit to Vernon.

An official Exhibit Opening takes place Thursday, Nov. 9 at 6 p.m. with drinks and light snacks. The event is free with pay-what-you-can donations accepted, but seating is limited, therefore reservations are requested at greatervernonmuseum.square.site.

鈥淲e are honoured to have Dr. Bill Cohen, a Syilx educator, artist, story-teller and author, as our guest speaker for the opening ceremony,鈥� said Evans. 鈥淒r. Cohen鈥檚 work with language and cultural knowledge revitalization aligns wonderfully with the themes of this exhibit.鈥�

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