Description
A narrative of resistance and resilience spanning seven decades in the life of a tireless advocate for Indigenous language preservation.
Life histories are a form of contemporary social history and convey important messages about identity, cosmology, social behaviour and one's place in the world. This first-person oral history-the first of its kind ever published by the Royal BC Museum-documents a period of profound social change through the lens of Sti'tum'atul'wut-also known as Mrs. Ruby Peter-a Cowichan elder who made it her life's work to share and safeguard the ancient language of her people: Hul'q'umi'num'.
Over seven decades, Sti'tum'atul'wut mentored hundreds of students and teachers and helped thousands of people to develop a basic knowledge of the Hul'q'umi'num' language. She contributed to dictionaries and grammars, and helped assemble a valuable corpus of stories, sound and video files-with more than 10,000 pages of texts from Hul'q'umi'num' speakers-that has been described as "a treasure of linguistic and cultural knowledge." Without her passion, commitment and expertise, this rich legacy of material would not exist for future generations
Reviews
"As I read What was Said to Me I felt like I was sitting with my grandmother when she too shared stories, teachings, culture and tradition. Such a beautiful reflection of Ruby's vision: a legacy that guides and directs her family." -- Robina ThomasExecutive Director, Indigenous Academic and Community Engagement, University of Victoria
" What Was Said to Me is a beautiful and generous gift our Aunty, Sti'tum'atul'wut, has shared with us. It is rich with teachings from beginning to end. It is an example of the love she had for the people." -- Samaya Jardey, Director of Language and Cultural Affairs, Squamish Nation
"A synthesis of memoir, oral history and auto-ethnography, Ruby Peter's story is a powerful testament to the persistence of Indigenous life on Canada's West Coast." -- Wendy Wickwire, Author of At the Bridge: James Teit and an Anthropology of Belonging
Awards
Commended for Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards (Multicultural Nonfiction) 2021.
Book Information
ISBN 9780772679383
Author Ruby Peter
Format Paperback
Page Count 224
Imprint Royal British Columbia Museum
Publisher Royal British Columbia Museum
Weight(grams) 345g
Dimensions(mm) 229mm * 152mm * 15mm
Life histories are a form of contemporary social history and convey important messages about identity, cosmology, social behaviour and one's place in the world. This first-person oral history-the first of its kind ever published by the Royal BC Museum-documents a period of profound social change through the lens of Sti'tum'atul'wut-also known as Mrs. Ruby Peter-a Cowichan elder who made it her life's work to share and safeguard the ancient language of her people: Hul'q'umi'num'.
Over seven decades, Sti'tum'atul'wut mentored hundreds of students and teachers and helped thousands of people to develop a basic knowledge of the Hul'q'umi'num' language. She contributed to dictionaries and grammars, and helped assemble a valuable corpus of stories, sound and video files-with more than 10,000 pages of texts from Hul'q'umi'num' speakers-that has been described as "a treasure of linguistic and cultural knowledge." Without her passion, commitment and expertise, this rich legacy of material would not exist for future generations
Reviews
"As I read What was Said to Me I felt like I was sitting with my grandmother when she too shared stories, teachings, culture and tradition. Such a beautiful reflection of Ruby's vision: a legacy that guides and directs her family." -- Robina ThomasExecutive Director, Indigenous Academic and Community Engagement, University of Victoria
" What Was Said to Me is a beautiful and generous gift our Aunty, Sti'tum'atul'wut, has shared with us. It is rich with teachings from beginning to end. It is an example of the love she had for the people." -- Samaya Jardey, Director of Language and Cultural Affairs, Squamish Nation
"A synthesis of memoir, oral history and auto-ethnography, Ruby Peter's story is a powerful testament to the persistence of Indigenous life on Canada's West Coast." -- Wendy Wickwire, Author of At the Bridge: James Teit and an Anthropology of Belonging
Awards
Commended for Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards (Multicultural Nonfiction) 2021.
Book Information
ISBN 9780772679383
Author Ruby Peter
Format Paperback
Page Count 224
Imprint Royal British Columbia Museum
Publisher Royal British Columbia Museum
Weight(grams) 345g
Dimensions(mm) 229mm * 152mm * 15mm
