Currently the majority of the CCEC archives is in storage with limited access. The collection is comprised of a reference library, archival materials, and cultural artifacts that include Salish wool weavings, cedar baskets and trays. The archival materials include transcripts, video and audio tapes, unpublished manuscripts, books, historical records, DIA, church and consensus records.
The artifact collection is managed and accessed through an inventory that contains descriptions and photographs. Work is ongoing to update the information/photos as necessary to add to the electronic archives database.
Many members came to research their family trees, and to find Halq’eméylem names from past family members. Many scholars came to complete research on papers or thesis. There is a wealth of information housed in our archives and it has become an extremely valuable resource centre for our members. Please note research requests can be sent to our admin@coqualeetza.com – unfortunately, our archives are not open to the public due to lack of funding support of skilled staffing and space. CCEC has been for the past decade digitizing video and audio cassette when possible and facilitating interviews with elders.
Media Production
Over the years the Media Production Centre operated to support all of the Centre’s operations. The media centre offered a wide range of audio-visual and print services and contributes to the development of programs and provide staff with a variety of media for the communication of information and ideas. The media centre was established in 1975 to produce media materials for the curriculum development department. Media was interpreted to mean something intervening and acting as a means of communication that would effectively present Sto:lo ideas, culture, history and language to all communities.
Funding cutbacks resulting from Stó:lō First Nations withdrawing band council resolution support attributes to the decision to close the media centre. However, during it’s operation the staff collected hundreds of hours of video tape, audio tape and thousands of photographs which are housed in the Centre’s library. Video Productions were completed as well as aboriginal related documentaries and news stories were copied from regular television programming. Most of the media was produced on half inch and three quarter inch tape. The Centre is currently in the process of trying to find funding to digitize on computer or current technological mediums.
Between 2010 and 2024, a number of videos and cassette recordings have been digitized and are continuing to be digitized as funding support becomes available. In 2023, CCEC has secured funding support from UBC MOA Indigitization Project to purchase professional digitization equipment and a RAID for archival digital storage.
Assistance maybe provided through funding support to CCEC from other agencies to digitize recordings. You may contact us through email admin@coqualeetza.com for your digitization inquiry.
