Inside CBC North's Indigenous Language Archives project
A look at the work behind digitizing decades of radio stories
The CBC is seeking input from communities represented in the archives and organizations to determine the best ways to make these valuable resources accessible to the public.
Spanning CBC North radio stories from the 1950s to the present day, the project captures voices, stories and traditional knowledge across 10 Indigenous languages: Inuktitut, East Cree, Oji-Cree, Dëne Sųłı̨né, Gwich'in, Inuvialuktun, Inuinnaqtun, North Dene, Tłı̨chǫ and Dene Zhatıé.
Eight of these language projects are now complete. East Cree is on track to finish by January 2026, with Inuktitut scheduled for completion in 2030.
As of May 5, the Indigenous Language Radio Archives project has catalogued 48,070 programs and 105,756 stories.
Cataloguing continues, with 2,349 East Cree programs (5,167 stories) and 13,406 Inuktitut programs (around 30,000 stories) still to be added. Once complete, the archive will include more than 64,000 programs and nearly 141,000 stories.
For those involved, the project has also been personal
The work had a profound impact on the translators, both as researchers and as archivists. Many have spent long hours listening to familiar voices, rediscovering language and learning more about their own communities and histories through these recordings.
Maxine Angoo grew up in Whale Cove, Nunavut, and has been working as a researcher on the project for the past eight months from Winnipeg. She says it's given her the opportunity to document stories from Inuit elders and loved ones.
"It's a way to continue learning from our elders, just as my late grandfather taught me. This role has also helped me maintain and strengthen my Inuktitut, which is deeply important to me — not just as a language, but as a connection to my culture, identity and community," she said.
Susie Zettler feels fortunate to hear and work with her language each day. It's a journey that's not only taught her new things but also strengthened her sense of identity and connection to her ancestors' resilience.
"When I started working with CBC Archiving, I didn't really think of how much impact my work was going to have, but hearing stories that have been passed down from generations, from our ancestors, had so much impact on my identity and how amazing and smart and many have survived," Zettler said.
The next phase of the ILA project
With a significant number of languages now catalogued, the focus shifts to how they can be best utilized. Over the years, CBC has used some of the Inuktitut archives for a podcast with host and archivist Mary Powder: ᐃᓄᐃᑦ ᐅᓂᒃᑳᖏᑦ (Inuit Unikkaangit). They have also been available online as audio segments on CBC Radio Listen: CBC North Indigenous Radio Archives.
Now, CBC is inviting input to help shape how these recordings can be shared and accessed in the future. People can complete a short form where you can share your thoughts on how these resources can best serve the people and languages they represent.