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Reaffirming cultural identity : a case of stó:lō pithouse reconstruction

University of British Columbia

This thesis is a case study of the building of a Coast Salish dwelling, called a pithouse, in the context of cultural education amongst the Sto:lo people of the Fraser Valley. This thesis, which grew collaboratively out of a fieldschool project initiated by the stó:lō community, explores the literature on cultural revival and education, and suggests descriptive ethnography as a methodology by which one may investigate changing methods of cultural transmission within the stó:lō community. Emic perspectives are highlighted by generously including the words of community members on such topics as the pithouse rebuilding project, formal cultural education, and the relationship between the past and contemporary healing efforts. By presenting this emic perspective, the thesis rebukes the application of anthropological literature based in a salvage paradigm which concentrates on the adjudication of authenticity in Aboriginal cultural revivals. Instead it examines themes and questions which are of interest to Sto:lo community members, particularly the employees of the stó:lō Nation political body which is most responsible for cultural education.

Thesis/Dissertation

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2009-01-28

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http://hdl.handle.net/2429/3969

Anthropology

University of British Columbia

UBCV

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