Let individuals and groups in the community know what your plans are. You could have a local radio show or a public meeting to talk about your plans for the oral history project. Through community consultation everyone becomes interested in your project and supportive of it.
You might find out about other groups who have done similar work or who are planning to do oral histories. It will help you avoid duplicating oral history work that another group is considering. It may give you ideas about individuals and groups that could partner with you.
Elders’ groups may have advice or guidelines for you to follow. Ask for their input and the input of others in the community. Be prepared to be flexible and rethink your plans and goals if people make useful suggestions.
“In terms of the cultural traditions contained in it, the death of any language is an event to mourn. But whereas many aspects of a floundering written language will endure in books and on-line, the death of an oral language is absolute.”Mark Abley in Spoken Here