Dave Elliott, a Saanich fisherman, almost single-handedly resurrected the dying language of his people - Sencoten - by creating an alphabet system, recording the elders, and developing a language curriculum for local schools. Though he passed away in 1985, his remarkable legacy lives on in the efforts of his son John, and daughter Linda, teachers and language activists who pioneered innovative materials for teaching the Sencoten language.

The decline of the language began in the early 1900’s, when federal regulations prohibited the Saanich people from fishing, hunting and food gathering on their traditional lands. Saanich culture and language were suppressed, and a gap developed between the elders and their children who were being assimilated into the white education system.

The documentary series ‘Finding Our Talk’ celebrates the many Canadian and international individuals, communities and organizations that are reclaiming their Indigenous languages, culture, stories, and identity.