Culture, language and tradition are important to communities. Continuing heritage is the aim of a project created by a collaboration of Success by Six and Tla’Amin (Sliammon) Community Health Services.
Brandi Marriott, Brandon Peters and Mike Washington were hired for a project to bring books, puppets and regalia to children of the Tla’Amin CDRC (Child Development Resource Centre) Daycare and Out of School Care.
Marriott said the program started in June 2011 and the work she and her co-organizers have done will be unveiled on March 30 at a celebration dinner. She said they will try to involve as many of the children from the daycare as possible.
“The idea was to get the kids drumming and singing as well but children will do what they want on their own time,” said Marriott. “They’ve really responded and they’ve really enjoyed it.”
The project’s goal is to empower families and children using their heritage, language and culture. It is to help children get in touch with their parents’ community and get involved with their own heritage.
“We have composed a total of six books,” said Marriott. “I’ve done two, Brandon’s done three and Mike’s done one. I’ve composed multiple amounts of regalia for the day care to use. So I’ve done shawls and vests. Mike’s done some puppet shows as well as Brandon. It’s been an exciting project.”
When they were hired, the three organizers were given a goal of producing six children’s books aimed at readers under six years old and 12 pieces of regalia. The books together with three “Read With Me” DVDs, three puppet shows on DVD and 24 pieces of regalia have been completed so far.
“We have the unveiling of our projects at the celebration dinner on March 30,” she said. “All three coordinators have had an equal role and worked incredibly hard to produce the best product possible.”
Washington started a drum group and has been practicing as part of the project. His book focuses on learning to drum and sing. He also created a puppet character named Mink, upon which Peters created three “Read With Me” DVDs with Powell River Historical Museum and Archives. He has also done three puppet shows.
“As the project is coming to an end we have all loved our time with Success by Six and learned so much in such a short period,” said Marriott.
The celebration dinner will be held at 4:30 pm on Friday at the Salish Centre in Tla’Amin.
