It is said that when an Elder makes their final journey, a library is burned to the ground. Our Elders hold the threads of our history, culture, and identity. Each story they share is a gift—connecting us to our past and guiding us toward the future. But time is finite, and these voices are at risk of fading away
Story Booth is a user-generated digital legacy project preserving the rich heritage of our Indigenous Peoples. Each intimate mini-longhouse accommodates two people—just like a traditional photo booth—inviting Nations to build their own living library of ancestral wisdom.
The following are Story Booth questions that have come up often. We have done our best to answer them as completely as possible. If you need further information in relation to any of these questions, or if you have your own questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at: inbox@goldeneaglerising.org
The Story Booth is an Indigenous-designed recording space built in traditional Longhouse style. It provides a culturally appropriate, private environment for community members to record and share stories, preserving the knowledge, legends, and history of Indigenous peoples for future generations.
When an Elder passes, a library of knowledge is lost. The Story Booth helps preserve Indigenous oral traditions, cultural teachings, and personal histories in a dignified, accessible way—ensuring that the wisdom of our elders and the stories of our people live on for generations to come.
The Story Booth is brought to you by Golden Eagle Rising Society, an Indigenous nonprofit society dedicated to Indigenous advancement, healing, and cultural preservation. Golden Eagle has partnered with Spirit Works Ltd., an Indigenous owned, operated, and staffed company to assist in the construction of Story Booths.
Presently Story Booths cost $32,000 for the standard version and $35,000 for the wheelchair accessible model.
Delivery and setup are included in the price for destinations located within 100 Kilometers of the Lower Mainland, otherwise delivery and insurance are additional costs. Shipping fees vary depending on distance travelled, and access, to location.
Delivery takes approximately 6 to 8 weeks from the date of purchase.
Once an agreement to purchase a Story Booth has been made a 20% deposit is required with the remaining purchase price paid upon delivery. Payments can be made by cheque or electronic transfer.
Yes, Golden Eagle Rising Society has identified several sources able to assist in purchasing a Story Booth. Golden Eagle can assist in navigating through these available funding opportunities.
Story Booth is engineered and hand-built from structural plywood and Western Red Cedar. Other component include durable carpeting, foam sound tiles, acrylic light diffusers, and metal hardware and fasteners.
Yes! Some models are designed with full wheelchair accessibility, ensuring all community members can participate in the hearing and telling of stories.
The Story Booth is designed to accommodate 1 to 2 people, including wheelchair users in accessible model. That said, we have seen recordings with 2-3 people in the standard version and 3-4 people in the accessible version. The benches within the Story Booth can hold significant weight (though it can be a bit of a squeeze).
No. Story Booth is designed strictly for indoor use.
Each Story Booth includes: - Professional podcast-quality microphone – High-definition Camera – Internal Computer – Internal hard drive - Touchscreen Television interface – Lighting – Ventilation Fan - Recording software - Cloud storage system with automatic backup.
Yes! The Story Booth features a simple touchscreen interface. Users are asked if they wish to “Hear a Story" or to “Tell a Story". They are then led through simple prompts to 1) access Story Booth's living library choosing a contributor's name, or choosing a subject matter (arts, language, lineage, etc.); or 2) Contribute to Story Booth's living library. No technical expertise required.
For redundancy Story Booth is designed to automatically store recordings in three locations:
Yes. All recordings and data are encrypted before being stored, making them private, secure, and owned by your community. Your community or organization maintains control over all content.
Absolutely! Community members can both record their own stories and listen to stories shared by elders, leaders, and other members—creating a living library of knowledge and experience.
The Story Booth can capture: - Elder teachings and traditional knowledge - Personal histories and life experiences - Cultural legends and creation stories - Language preservation recordings - Leadership messages - Family stories and memories - Community history
Yes. To back up stories you will require and internet connection. Your recordings and data will however be protected through an encryption process.
Story Booth is essentially plug-and-play. Our technical team will work with you initially to show how to turn it on and connect to the internet.
Vertically we recommend having a minimum ceiling space of 100" for our standard version and 108" for our wheelchair accessible version. Although both versions are shorter than this, movers will need to tip Story Booths up from a horizontal position needing the extra space. Otherwise, as long as the front of the Story Booth is clear to enter and exit, just ensure the dimensions above are available.
No. A standard 120 volt plug is all that is needed to run Story Booth.
The Story Booth comes with a 2-year warranty covering equipment and manufacturing defects.
Golden Eagle will work with your community/organization and technical team to remedy the problem. Golden Eagle will not seek to profit from repairs - any parts or labour will be provided at cost.
Although Story Booth is easy to use and the App self-explanatory, we are happy to assist in training those responsible for its use, and can also provide best-practices advice on interviewing techniques aimed at harvesting the best knowledge and wisdom.
Yes. If there are technical problems with Story Booth, online, video, and telephone support will be provided at no charge.
Golden Eagle is constantly improving on the Story Booth App. All future versions and improvements will be offered to Story Booth owners free of charge. Our technical team will work with your community/organization to installation.
The Story Booth helps: - Preserve elder knowledge before it's lost - Strengthen cultural identity and pride - Create an intergenerational bridge through storytelling - Document community history in members' own voices - Support language revitalization efforts - Provide healing through sharing personal stories - Build a permanent cultural archive for future generations
Yes! The Story Booth is an excellent tool for recording fluent speakers, language lessons, and traditional songs to support language revitalization initiatives.
Everyone! Elders, youth, families, knowledge keepers, leaders—all community members are encouraged to share their stories and preserve their voices.
Email Golden Eagle Rising Society at: inbox@goldeneaglerising.org or call 604.980.2567
Yes, we welcome you to come see our Story Booths in person. Please contact us using the information above or stop by our North Vancouver headquarters located on Squamish Nation lands:
4-1500 Railway Street, North Vancouver, V7J-1B5
