Thank you for visiting the Mayne Island Sound Map!
Explore the interactive map and click on the markers to listen to each story individually or take the 'guided tour' to experience a curated journey of Mayne Island.
This project is based on the unceded, traditional and ancestral territories of the Lekwungen, Snaw-Naw-As (Nanoose), WESÁNEĆ, Scia-new (Cheanuh), T'Sou-ke, Mlahat, Sc̓əwaθən Məsteyəxʷ (Tsawwassen), and the Hul'qumi'num Musitimuhw (Hul'qumi'num speaking people) including Stz'uminus (Chemainus), Cowicha, Halalt Lake Cowichan, Lyackson, and Penelakut. Located on the Tsartlip (W̱JOȽEȽP) Reserve #6 which is part of the WESÁNEĆ first nation.
The Mayne Island Soundmap features some of the rich stories and voices of Mayne Island, BC. Explore the interactive map to be transported to different times times and places. Listen to new and longtime residents as well as environmental soundscapes of the region. If you'd like a more curated experience, please walk with us for a guided tour of the map. You can also visit our Listening Post Installation at the Mayne Island Museum, open year-round.
We are grateful for the support of the B.C. Arts Council, the Canada Council for the Arts. Thank you to the Mayne Island Agricultural Society, Jennifer Iredale, Dr. John Elliott, Kai Nagata, Makoyi, Claire Gendron, Sean Gendron, Joanna Weeks, and to everyone who lent their time, energy, and stories to the project.
A song sung by SENĆOŦEN LE,NOṈET SCUL,ÁUTW̱ – SENĆOŦEN Survival School to festival goers at Campbell Bay Music Festival in 2018, wishing them good fortune and safety during their celebrations.
Acknowledgement Song
Produced by Russell Gendron
A song from J,SIṈTEN (Dr. John Elliott), acknowledging the beautiful places the creator has made for us all to enjoy and over which we all have a responsibility to look after.
Granny
Produced by Russell Gendron
Joanna Weeks, a longtime resident of Mayne Island, grew up on Pender Island, alongside her life-long friend and sister-in-law, Anne “Barb” Weeks (m. Humphries). After Barb passed away in 2012, Russell Gendron (Joanna’s grandson), sat down with Joanna to ask her about her friend and life on the Gulf Islands. This is an excerpt from one of their many conversations.
Queen of Nanaimo
Produced by Emile Scott
The now retired Queen of Nanaimo, was an iconic ship that serviced the Gulf Islands from 1964 to 2017.
The Joy of Cooking Fenison
Produced by Sadie Couture
Mayne Island is home to two types of deer, indigenous Black Tail Deer, and formerly farmed Fallow Deer. This story explores the origin of Fallow Deer on Mayne Island, the many uses for deer meat, antlers, and leather, as well as islanders’ perspectives on, and frustrations with, the management of the deer. For more information visit http://maynedeer.com a site from the Mayne Island Deer Committee.
Russell Gendron sat down with Miyuki Nagata to talk about what Mayne Island meant to her late husband and former resident, John Nagata. Miyuki remembers the rich Japanese community that was forced to leave Mayne Island because of the internment of Japanese Canadians during WW2.” that's my bad sorry about that
XIXNEŚEṈ
Produced by Russell Gendron
The SENĆOŦEN name for “Helen Point” is XIXNEŚEṈ, which means “the sacred track”. This is a significant reef net fishery that the W̱JOȽEȽP (Tsartlip) people have used for thousands of years.
Mayne Island is traditional Coast Salish territory and has a special relationship with the W̱JOȽEȽP people of the W̱SÁNEĆ First Nation because Tsartlip Reserve 6 is on Mayne Island.
SENĆOŦEN language expert, J,SIṈTEN (Dr. John Elliott) is a respected Elder of the W̱JOȽEȽP First Nation and has taught at ȽÁU,WELṈEW Tribal School in Saanich for over 30 years.
His dedication to the revitalization of First Nations languages began over 30 years ago, inspired by the efforts of his father, David Elliott, to preserve the SENĆOŦEN language.
Sweet Dreams
Produced by Sadie Couture
Follow a group of Mayne Islanders as they turn bad dreams into sweet ones. Featuring Annah MacKay, Claire Gendron, Eyvan Collins, Russell Gendron, and Saoirse Soley.
These Chairs Weren't Made for Dancin'
Produced by Russell Gendron
On New Year's Eve at the north end of Galiano Island, a group of friends gather around a fire and write an impromptu country tune to bring in the new year! Featuring Hannah, Julia, Sara, Frieda-Raye, Liz, Colin, Aidan, Maya, Russell, Adrian, Adrick and others!
Break from Reality
Produced by Russell Gendron
In 1999, Alan Weeks was 29 years old and living on Mayne when he was diagnosed with schizophrenia. In this piece, Alan takes us through the moments leading up to his diagnosis and how being on Mayne Island supported him then and now.
Music "Peachy Beachy" and "Moon Blooms" by Foot Hills and "Born Under Punches as the Sparks Fly Upwards" by C.Diab
Fumbling Towards Reconciliation
Produced by Sadie Couture
Marie Weeks is a settler of British, Irish and French heritage, born and raised on the traditional, unceded territories of the Musqueam, Tsleil-Wauthuth and Squamish peoples. Marie’s recent art focus has followed a deep desire to be an active participant in healing the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada through personal healing, group facilitation, relationship building and academic research. John Aitken is a physical actor, carver, videographer, photographer, and educator. He identifies as Indigenous with a mixed ancestry of Coast Salish, Haida, and Scottish. John has a rich background in performing arts, including dance, acting and film production. He is also a prolific self-taught wood carver, working within Coast Salish traditional styles as well as exploring his own contemporary style.
In this piece, John and Marie discuss their ongoing collaborative project “Fumbling Towards Reconciliation” through which they explore possible ways for non-Indigenous people to work alongside Indigenous peoples towards reconciliation, and the significance of this work to life on Mayne Island.
Home Here On Mayne
Produced by Russell Gendron
A cassette recording of a familiar island figure, Jimmy “Scotty” Neale. He lived on Active Pass for many years and was about 93 when he died. A well known folk legend in the area, Neale’s songs are a special part of Mayne’s history.
Historian and long time resident, Jenifer Iredale, suggested we look into Jimmy Neale’s songs at the B.C. Archives in Victoria. Thanks to Iredale and the Thomas family, who granted us the copyright permission, Home here on Mayne and Paddle Around in your Canoe (listen to “Canoe Walk” to hear this one) are both featured on the Mayne Island Soundmap.
