Elders’ stories preserved for future

The publication was developed through a partnership involving Carrier Sekani Family Services, the University of Northern British Columbia, Elders, community contributors and researchers. Organizers say the project grew out of conversations that began nearly two decades ago around the importance of culture, healing and creating resources that reflect the strengths of Indigenous communities.

For Dr. Travis Holyk, Chief Administrative Officer with Carrier Sekani Family Services and principal investigator on the Strength for All research project, the book represents more than a collection of stories.

“This book will have many purposes, including strengthening jurisdiction over children and families. It’s something that individuals can be proud of,” Holyk said. “We also recognize that our elders are passing away, and so we wanted something that could be shared as a tool of learning about the culture, both for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, where people can see themselves in the history of northern British Columbia.”

Holyk said the publication reflects the same goal as the conference itself: creating opportunities for Elders to share teachings and experiences while ensuring those lessons continue to be available long into the future.

Throughout the conference, attendees heard presentations, participated in workshops and celebrated the role Elders continue to play as knowledge keepers within their communities. Organizers say those conversations highlighted the importance of preserving culture at a time when many communities are working to strengthen language revitalization and reconnect younger generations with traditional teachings.

That message resonated with Barby Skaling, Cultural Advisor with Carrier Sekani Family Services, who said preserving the voices of Elders has become increasingly urgent.

“Many of our knowledge holders are leaving us and so there’s not many of us left,” Skaling said. “We need to keep our stories strong with our young ones so that it’s still alive. Our greatest hope with this publication is that the stories are here now, and our culture is sacred. These stories will be out there for our young ones to read.”

Skaling said the publication provides an opportunity for younger generations to learn directly from Elders, while also helping people from outside Indigenous communities gain a deeper understanding of Carrier and Sekani culture and history.

The release of the book also reflects the enduring importance of storytelling within Indigenous communities. For generations, stories have served as a way to pass on values, teachings, history and ways of life. Organizers say the publication helps ensure those teachings remain accessible while preserving them in a format that can be shared widely.

Carrier Sekani Family Services CEO Dr. Warner Adam said the publication offers a powerful reminder of the resilience of Elders and the role they continue to play in guiding future generations.

“The project is really important because it demonstrates the resilience of many of our elders and the strength that they had to endure colonization and its impacts,” Adam said. “Our elders are our teachers. They are our encyclopedias. They are our professors because we are a people of oral history, and everything is passed on from one generation to the next.”

Adam said preserving those teachings is essential to ensuring traditions, language and culture remain strong for years to come.

As the conference came to a close, organizers reflected on a common theme that ran through both the gathering and the newly released book: the strength of Elders and the knowledge they continue to share.

Whether through workshops, conversations or the pages of a book, organizers say the goal remains the same — ensuring the wisdom of Elders continues to guide future generations while strengthening culture, identity and community connections across Carrier and Sekani Nations.

by Nick Dube

Elders’ stories preserved for future

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