Some things are never said. Some stories are never shared and are lost forever when their keepers leave this Earth.The Elders Speak project taken on between local students and First Nations groups has succeeded in bridging the generational gap and ensuring some of those stories will live on in book form.The project saw secondary students from Chemainus help elementary school students from Penelakut Island School, Chemainus Elementary and Crofton Elementary to interview and record the stories of their elders in poems.Danny Norris, who served as emcee for the launch of the new Elders Speak book, noted many of these stories are finally being let out after many years being tucked away deep inside.All the stories offered a glance into the past, with many chronicling the injustices and indignities suffered at the old Kuper Island Residential School.Many, Norris added, had not even been shared with their own children.It brings back the memories of everyone who has lived here since Day One,” commented Penelakut Chief Wilbur Jack, who also read a message from Lt.-Gov. Steven Point who congratulated all the people involved.“It opened their eyes and their hearts to their own families,” said Mel Jack, Penelakut education co-ordinator.The event also featured emerging First Nations dancers from Chemainus Elementary.For Marguerit James, it was exciting to be able to share her story with Penelakut student Justine Louie.“I enjoyed the project and I enjoy that the kids are interacting with us elders and learning the history about their Island, their culture and their heritage,” said James.James said she had a great up-bringing on Gabriola Island and was never sent to the Kuper Island School.“Now they are getting some kind of history they can learn directly from their elders.” Louie said she learned lots from talking with James. Louie said her favourite part of the project was ‘Learning how the elders lived,’ and said the experience has given her the ambition to speak to more of her elders to learn their stories.As for the hardest part of the experience for Louie …“Speaking in front of the people, but I take a deep breath though.”All the students were given the opportunity to read their poem to the crowd at the school.Devin and Daniel Jack were two of the students returning to mentor the younger students with their interviews and stories.“We were just there to tell them how to write it. They pretty much had all the ideas down,” said Devin. “We kind of knew what we were doing already.”Daniel said it was rewarding working with the younger students.“It was quite an experience doing this,” said Daniel, adding he enjoyed working with poet Wendy Morton for a second time.Morton, who helped the students with both projects, said the most rewarding part for her was learning from the elders and students.“I have learned to love them,” said Morton, praising everyone who made the projects come to life, including teacher Barb Stoochnoff, who sat next to Morton on a flight and helped get the projects rolling and designer Rhonda Ganz.

Ladysmith Chronicle