The Cultural Conservancy - The Storyscape Project
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Hopi Basket Hands – Hopi elder demonstrates basket weaving at |
Indigenous cultures are rich with stories, songs and languages. Embedded in creation stories, ceremonial songs and the very nature of language is a library of invaluable historical, moral, spiritual, social, cultural and ethnobiological knowledge. Many of these stories reside in the landscape creating the Storyscapes of native peoples. This knowledge guides us as we learn to care for and celebrate the earth.
Storyscape: the power of story and song in the protection of native lands.
It is estimated that nearly 80% of the indigenous languages of North American are in danger. Elaborate oral literatures are disappearing as older generations pass on and young people become assimilated into western industrial society through the pressures of cultural, political and economic colonization and homogenization.
The storehouses of cultural knowledge on the healing properties of natural resources, harmonious ways of living with the natural world and time-tested sustainable land management practices are threatened.
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Mother Earth Songs CD cover |
The loss of language and culture is facilitated through cultural assimilation in schools and other institutions, and there is a great need to teach traditional ways to younger people and the importance of cultural preservation to everyone.
Indigenous people have been forced to forfeit most of their aboriginal lands to colonial powers through genocide, abrogated treaties, laws, policies, and political maneuvers resulting in the great loss of lands, cutting deeply into the foundation of indigenous sustenance and identity.
Native lands have become the targeted by governments and corporations seeking “paths of least resistance” as they pursue policies to exploit natural resources and use native lands as repositories for toxic wastes as a form of “toxic colonialism.”
Native peoples across the globe have been fighting for their self-determination and human rights and inspire others to join efforts to promote both cultural revitalization and environmental sustainability.
The Storyscape Project of The Cultural Conservancy is working with native communities and organizations in the United States and South America on the protection of cultural heritage and traditional lands. We accomplish our goals through collaboration and consultation, audio and video ethnographic recordings, trainings and workshops in cultural ethnography, preservation of legacy recordings and advocacy to protect ancestral lands and sacred sites.
We have been honored with the opportunity to assist with the preservation of invaluable cultural treasures including the Salt Songs of the Southern Paiute, Mojave Creation Songs, Corbin Harney’s Mother Earth/Newe Huvia Songs, Cahuilla and Inter-tribal Bird Songs, and the Guy Tyler Collection of native songs and languages as part of our Indigenous Languages Repatriation Project.
The Storyscape Project was featured on National Public Radio, “All Things Considered”
and the National Radio Project, “Storyscapes.” Please contact us for copies of these radio programs.
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Nicola at workshop – Nicola Wagenberg |
Related Projects
Storyscape Project Ethnographic Audio/Video Recording (SPEAR) Workshops
and the Salt Song Trail Project.
Xavante Project
We conducted a cultural exchange with the Xavante Indians of central Brazil to assist in their efforts to stop attempts by multi-national corporations to construct an industrial waterway or Hidrovia that would blast through native lands and destroy miles of rivers, watersheds, and old growth tropical savannah.
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Phil Klasky conducting field recordings. |
Storyscape Project Team
Storyscape Project director Philip M. Klasky has been consulting with American Indian tribes in the protection of their ancestral lands and sacred sites for over 20 years. He worked with the lower Colorado River Indian Tribes and environmental groups in the successful campaign to stop the proposal for a radioactive waste dump at Ward Valley/Silyaye Ahease, California. An Extreme and Solemn Relationship is an exploration of the Ward Valley issue and contains the perspectives of native leaders and culture keepers.
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Colin Farish demonstrates at SPEAR workshop. |
The Storyscape Project Team includes Philip M. Klasky, Melissa Nelson, Nicola Wagenberg, Colin Farish, members of the TCC Board of Directors and assistance from editors, graphics artists, filmmakers and sound producers. We acknowledge the generous support from the Grosbeck Family Fund, The Christensen Fund, individuals donations and other funders.