My name is Tanita. I grew up on Neskonlith Indian Band #3 and my great grandmother is Dr. Mary Thomas. I am 25 years old and just finished my Fast Track to Office in March at the Okanagan College. I work in the archives as the Curatorial Research Assistant on the Get Youth Working Program.
Working in the archives room, I have learned a lot about my heritage and culture and found out a lot about my ancestors. I find the work really interesting. I like researching and learning about my family members - it’s like investigative work – like putting together pieces of a puzzle about my ancestors. I find the work really exciting and it makes me proud.
The work in the archives room taught me research skills like using the resources on the web to help me create a better picture of my relatives. The two I use most are Vital Statistics and the B.C Archives and Records Service.
I have interviewed my elders, recording them on audio and on digital film, and heard some really interesting tales. I like hearing their stories about what they did as kids and how much their lives have changed in the place where I grew up. Of course it was up to me to transcribe the interviews and that was a skill I will use in the future.
I especially like this job because I’ve visited other museums looking for ideas. I’ve travelled to Revelstoke and Kamloops to look at other museums to give me ideas on exhibit design. When the Salmon Arm Museum creates an exhibit on my culture, it will be special.
Thinking hard about what a First Nations exhibit should look like is a very creative process. I have learned that the visitor experience is of utmost importance. It is an opportunity to engage the visitor without using too much text since people don’t usually read books standing up! Exhibits have to draw the eye. I’ve also seen the interactive stations and think it would be cool if kids could hear my Grandma Mary’s voice instead of having to read her teachings. It’s funny how much you learn and pay attention to these kinds of things once they’re pointed out to you.
I’ve learned how to act as if it is 1910 and help with museum school tours. I played a character, introducing myself as Christine Allen, my Grandma Mary’s mother. It was cool putting Christine Allen’s biography together to share with the school children.
In the process I learned a lot about her and I’ve learned a lot about myself.
It’s funny to think I almost didn’t take the Fast Tract Office Course. If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t be here today. It is also amazing to think how fast your life can change with one opportunity. I am so thankful to be doing this job. It’s like I was put on this path for a reason - to share my ancestors’ stories. It is almost as if they are guiding me here today.
Working in the archives room, I have learned a lot about my heritage and culture and found out a lot about my ancestors. I find the work really interesting. I like researching and learning about my family members - it’s like investigative work – like putting together pieces of a puzzle about my ancestors. I find the work really exciting and it makes me proud.
The work in the archives room taught me research skills like using the resources on the web to help me create a better picture of my relatives. The two I use most are Vital Statistics and the B.C Archives and Records Service.
I have interviewed my elders, recording them on audio and on digital film, and heard some really interesting tales. I like hearing their stories about what they did as kids and how much their lives have changed in the place where I grew up. Of course it was up to me to transcribe the interviews and that was a skill I will use in the future.
I especially like this job because I’ve visited other museums looking for ideas. I’ve travelled to Revelstoke and Kamloops to look at other museums to give me ideas on exhibit design. When the Salmon Arm Museum creates an exhibit on my culture, it will be special.
Thinking hard about what a First Nations exhibit should look like is a very creative process. I have learned that the visitor experience is of utmost importance. It is an opportunity to engage the visitor without using too much text since people don’t usually read books standing up! Exhibits have to draw the eye. I’ve also seen the interactive stations and think it would be cool if kids could hear my Grandma Mary’s voice instead of having to read her teachings. It’s funny how much you learn and pay attention to these kinds of things once they’re pointed out to you.
I’ve learned how to act as if it is 1910 and help with museum school tours. I played a character, introducing myself as Christine Allen, my Grandma Mary’s mother. It was cool putting Christine Allen’s biography together to share with the school children.
In the process I learned a lot about her and I’ve learned a lot about myself.
It’s funny to think I almost didn’t take the Fast Tract Office Course. If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t be here today. It is also amazing to think how fast your life can change with one opportunity. I am so thankful to be doing this job. It’s like I was put on this path for a reason - to share my ancestors’ stories. It is almost as if they are guiding me here today.