Do your research first – before you start looking for people to interview! Through background research you can find out what is already known about your topic. Then you can ask questions to ill in the gaps.
There may already be resources about the theme your group is interested in. Check the library, CBC, resource centres, heritage centres, archives, schools, churches – for audio recordings, written material or videos on your topic. Your group may be able to get a lot of information from existing resources. Then you will be much better informed when you do interview Elders. You will be able to prepare better questions for Elders. You could call on Elders to ill in the knowledge gaps or demonstrate a skill. The more you already know, the more you will be able to learn from an Elder.
Doing the research is an important learning opportunity. It is easier to understand and remember information that you actually discover yourself. Discussing the theme in different ways will increase people’s background knowledge. Also, in the future when they are looking for information or working on another project, people in the group will have knowledge about where to find resources.
Group members can talk to parents, grandparents, relatives and friends informally about the topic and bring back information to share with the group. Private people may have audio tapes that relatives recorded years ago. Your group could go on the radio and ask if people in the community have recorded stories or other information, such as audio letters, songs or pisiit. If you borrow recordings, copy them immediately and return them to the owners. You might offer to make additional copies for the owners as well.
Your group may come up with some of these resources... and more: