Library and Archives Canada launches funding and services to help preserve Indigenous culture and language recordings

GATINEAU, QC, April 5, 2019 /CNW/ - Library and Archives Canada (LAC) is pleased to announce the launch of its Listen, Hear Our Voices initiative, which offers funding and digitization services to preserve Indigenous culture and language recordings. This initiative is part of the institution's Indigenous Documentary Heritage Initiatives (IDHI).

This initiative provides funding of up to $100,000 per project to eligible Indigenous organizations to digitize existing culture and language recordings, and to help them build the skills, knowledge and resources they need to carry out this work in their communities.

LAC invites all eligible Indigenous organizations to submit their applications by noon on July 17, 2019 (Pacific Daylight Time).

Interested parties can find guidelines, eligibility criteria and the application form on the preserve Indigenous culture and language recordings web page.

An Indigenous review committee, external to LAC and comprised of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation representatives from across Canada, will review applications and make recommendations for funding.

Indigenous organizations, individuals, collectors and creators can also receive digitization services from LAC for their existing culture and language recordings. LAC accepts all formats of recordings and digitizes them at the Preservation Centre in Gatineau, Quebec. LAC will send back all original and digital files after digitization.

As part of the Government of Canada's reconciliation efforts, LAC is working to support Indigenous communities as they seek to preserve and make accessible their existing audio and video heritage. To further this work and recognize Aboriginal and treaty rights of First Nations, Inuit and the Métis Nation, LAC has created the Indigenous Heritage Action Plan. The action plan consists of 28 concrete actions that LAC will undertake over the next five years.

Quotes

"Indigenous languages are an integral part of Indigenous peoples' cultures and identities, and of Canada's society. Our government is proud to support Indigenous communities across the country to help safeguard and reclaim the unique and precious elements of their heritage."

The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Multiculturalism

"With this initiative, which is based on meaningful collaboration with First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation peoples, LAC is proud to assist Indigenous communities in their efforts to secure a sustainable future for their heritage recordings."

Normand Charbonneau, Deputy Librarian and Archivist of Canada

About Library and Archives Canada

The mandate of Library and Archives Canada is to preserve the documentary heritage of Canada for the benefit of present and future generations, and to be a source of enduring knowledge accessible to all, thereby contributing to the cultural, social and economic advancement of Canada. Library and Archives Canada also facilitates co-operation among communities involved in the acquisition, preservation and diffusion of knowledge, and serves as the continuing memory of the Government of Canada and its institutions. Stay connected with Library and Archives Canada on Twitter, Facebook, Flickr and YouTube.

SOURCE Library and Archives Canada

Richard Provencher, Media Relations, Library and Archives Canada, 613-894-7509 (cell), 819-994-4589 (office), [email protected]