First-of-its-kind online map highlights Indigenous culture, language in B.C.
The First Peoples’ map is the first interactive online map in Canada that provides information about Indigenous languages, arts and culture in B.C.
The First Peoples’ Cultural Council (FPCC) developed the map in response to B.C. First Nations requests for a platform to share information about their cultural heritage, languages and communities. The interactive map includes content that supports Indigenous linguistic, artistic and cultural revitalization.
“This is the first map of its kind in Canada to really weave together all the rich diversity of the cultures through layers of language, arts and cultural heritage,” said First Peoples’ Cultural Council communications officer Hannah Mashon.
“The layers on the map work independently, but they speak to each other as much as they do in real life with an Indigenous perspective,” she said.
The language layer of the map can be navigated by visitors so they can learn how to pronounce greetings, place names and communities in 34 First Nations languages with more than 90 dialects.
“The Arts layer allows you to explore artists in different regions and look through their portfolios and learn more about them,” said Mashon. “You can also search for public art and events to learn about what is going on in the regions around you.”
The heritage portion of the First People’s Map demonstrates the connection between the land and Indigenous cultural heritage. Each point of cultural interest relates to First Nations people and their unique knowledge of their environment.
“It provides information about First Nations cultural sites that aren’t necessarily represented on a lot of other maps,” said Mashon. “It's really unique that the map is able to include all this information together in one space.”
Mashon says the content is curated from 204 Indigenous communities from across the province.
The new First Peoples’ Map replaces the First Peoples’ Language Map created by the FPCC in 2008 and the First Peoples’ Arts Map developed in 2012. The map was made possible with funding from the B.C. government in 2018.
“We think it's really important for Indigenous communities to have a platform where they can share their stories and their artworks in a safe way,” said Mashon. “It’s important for Indigenous Peoples to share their arts, language and cultural heritage as one because they are so interconnected.”
Mashon says the FPCC developed the map focusing on specific communities to illustrate the connection First Nations Peoples have to the land. She says the FPCC consulted with First Peoples communities across the province to gather information with respect to arts, language and culture.
“We wanted to make (the map) as user friendly and as accessible as possible for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to learn about the Indigenous cultures of B.C.,” said Mashon. “We want to invite people to use the map to educate themselves, explore all of the diversity and the richness of the cultures, to learn something new and celebrate Indigenous Peoples.”
Visitors to the FPCC First Peoples’ Map can search by geographic locations, navigating the website’s sidebar or by keyword. They can listen to audio pronunciations of First Nations’ languages, find artists and locate important First Peoples cultural sites.
“There‘s a real thirst for people to want to learn more about their Indigenous neighbours and this is a great way to access that information to honour Indigenous Peoples and their culture,” said Mashon. “I believe that (the map) is definitely a first step for people if they’re on their journey of reconciliation.”
The First Peoples Map can be found on the FPCC website here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
House admonishes ArriveCan contractor in rare parliamentary show of power
MPs enacted an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power on Wednesday, summonsing an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons where he was admonished publicly and forced to provide answers to the questions MPs said he'd previously evaded.
Leafs star Auston Matthews finishes season with 69 goals
Auston Matthews won't be joining the NHL's 70-goal club this season.
Trump lawyers say Stormy Daniels refused subpoena outside a Brooklyn bar, papers left 'at her feet'
Donald Trump's legal team says it tried serving Stormy Daniels a subpoena as she arrived for an event at a bar in Brooklyn last month, but the porn actor, who is expected to be a witness at the former president's criminal trial, refused to take it and walked away.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
Doug Ford calls on Ontario Speaker to reverse Queen's Park keffiyeh ban
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling on Speaker Ted Arnott to reverse a ban on keffiyehs at Queen's Park, describing the move as “needlessly” divisive.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Woman who pressured boyfriend to kill his ex in 2000s granted absences from prison
A woman who pressured her boyfriend into killing his teenage ex more than a decade ago will be allowed to leave prison for weeks at a time.
Customers disappointed after email listing $60K Tim Hortons prize sent in error
Several Tim Horton’s customers are feeling great disappointment after being told by the company that an email stating they won a boat worth nearly $60,000 was sent in error.