How many of us in BC can say “hello” in the language of the People on whose Traditional Territory we live, work and play?

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

Learn what First Nations communities throughout the province are doing to help 34 different languages survive and flourish, in Our Living Languages: First Peoples’ Voices in BC, a beautifully designed exhibition from the Royal BC Museum and First Peoples’ Cultural Council that celebrates the resilience and diversity of Indigenous languages in the face of change.

Languages, especially the languages we grow up with, are powerful and potent markers of identity and culture. BC, one of the planet’s most linguistically diverse regions, is known as a linguistic “hotspot” because of the diversity and vitality of the First Nations languages in BC.

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

The original exhibition of the same name was developed in partnership with the First Peoples’ 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.

The travelling exhibition will be soft-launched on October 26, 2023, and on display until May 2024 at the Museum & Archives of Vernon, 3009 32nd Avenue. The MAV is also pleased to be hosting an official Exhibit Opening on November 9, 2023.