Language and Culture

The Cultural Survival Bazaars are a series of cultural festivals, organized by Indigenous Peoples’ rights organization Cultural Survival, that provide Indigenous artists and artisans, cooperatives, and their representatives from around the world the chance to sell their work directly to the public.
Each event features traditional and contemporary crafts, artwork, clothing, jewelry, home goods, and accessories from dozens of countries.

Cultural Survival will be hosting their summer bazaars in Newburyport, Massachusetts on July 20th and 21st and in Tiverton, Rhode Island on July 27th and 28th.
The Cultural Survival Bazaar Program goals work to support the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples’ articles 11, 20, and 31.
In this interview we hear from Benson Riyes Kitesho, who will showcase his artwork for the first time at Cultural Survival's Bazaar in July 2024.
Produced by Shaldon Ferris (Khoi/San)
Interviewee: Benson Riyes Kitesho (Maasai)

Patrick Hunter is a Two-Spirit Ojibway artist from the community of Red Lake, in North Western Ontario. He paints in the Woodland style and has created his own company called Patrick Hunter Art & Design.
Produced by Sarah Hume (Cultural Survival Intern)
Edited by Shaldon Ferris (Khoi/San)
Interviewee: Patrick Hunter (Ojibway)
Image: Patrich Hunter courtesy of patrickhunter.ca/
Music: "Lights in the Forest" by Yarina, used with permission.

Indigenous storytelling production company Wapanatahk Media has reached a television development deal with Anthony Johnson and Dr. James Makokis, a Two-Spirit Indigenous couple and winners of season 7 of The Amazing Race Canada.

The factual series will follow Johnson and Makokis as they pursue their mission to educate the masses about Indigenous cultural teachings, helping Canadians embark on their own transformational journeys and welcoming them into Nizhoni Acres, the couple's dream property, which they are currently renovating using the prize money from Amazing Race.

Richard Grounds, executive director of the Yuchi Language Project, talks about why working with young people and implementing more than just dictionaries or books is important to straightening out indigenous languages ​​and passing on this heritage from generation to generation. In addition, it mentions some important points of the International Indigenous Language Exchange carried out by Cultural Survival.

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Kaimana Barcase, CS Board Chair, tells us about the importance of working in groups and sharing experiences to discover how other peoples work in the revitalization of indigenous languages and explore new methodologies.

All our programs are free to listen to, download and share.

Intro music:
- “Burn Your Town to the Ground” by The Halluci Nation. Copyright property of The Halluci Nation. Used with permission.

musical background:
- ÑAA YOSO ÑUU WOMAN NAHUAL Cha Nandee Pinotepa. By Mrs. Luis

Chad Valdez (Diné) is a writer currently residing in Denver, CO, and working as a bookseller. He holds a Master's degree in Fine Arts in Fiction with a minor in Native American studies from New Mexico State University where he was the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions. He has taught undergraduate courses in English and Creative Writing where he was able to share his love of Indigenous storytelling and understanding of epistemology. His writing has appeared in Windward Review, CBR.com among other outlets. This is Chads audio story called 'Split Decision'.

Language diversity, multilingual education, and the development of a deeper appreciation of linguistic and cultural traditions worldwide are all encouraged by the dissemination of mother tongues. The purpose of this program is to inspire solidarity based on understanding, tolerance, and dialogue, and to remind us of the vital role that languages play in preserving and transmitting cultural heritage.
To commemorate International Mother Language Day we got in touch with correspondents from Progress Radio In Nigeria, who filled us in on the significance of mother tongue in that region.

With colonization and migration comes intercultural exchanges. Religions are often brought from one area to another, and with this, new traditions and ways of worship. Radio producer Mathias Kowayu Tooko explores the impact of Christianity on his people.
Voice: Mathias Kowaya (Maasai)
Interviewees:
Parkipuny Kilel
Noorkireu Kurtut
Maruna Potot
Ngojie Masheren
Rikoni Mboro
Music: "Osidai" by Nalepo Shengena Kilel ,used with permission.

Young girls on the shore of Lake Victoria are taken advantage of by men who conduct business in the area.
The Amazon Theatrix ensemble is a group of young people from the Luo community in Kisumu, Kenya, who use Theatre to empower young girls.
We spoke to Jones Arodi Okoth.
Produced by Shaldon Ferris (Khoisan)
Interviewee:
Jones Arodi Okoth (Luo)
"Anania2, by TheBaba Project used with permission.
"Burn your village to the ground", by The Halluci Nation, used with permission.