First Nations University of Canada

Purpose

Walter Poorman is one of 14 Elders interviewed by an Indigenous oral history project which in 1971-72 recorded over 60 hours in the Cree and Saulteaux languages from Elders from Touchwood Agency Tribal Council (Treaty Four) in central Saskatchewan. The interviews relate Cree and Saulteaux oral traditions, ceremonies, songs, and community histories passed down since in middle of the 19th century and earlier. These recordings are an invaluable resource for our efforts to reinvigorate knowledge of Indigenous cultures, histories, and languages. TATC seeks funding from Listen Hear Our Voices to repatriate the original recordings from the Provincial Archives of Alberta to TATC to support community efforts to renew cultural awareness and Indigenous languages in the younger generation.