A culture stays alive when it can be passed down from generation to generation. It is also alive when it can renew itself, meaning that it can add creations that that respect its spirit and values. To transmit a culture, you speak the language, have events, perform rituals, tell stories that explain the values and worldview, integrate the traditional way of life into modern life, and make sure that the culture’s spirituality stays alive.
Over time, Aboriginal people have encountered many barriers to the survival of their cultures: attempts at assimilation in the residential schools and having their languages banned are just two examples. Some traditions have been lost and new values have taken their place in the culture.
Today, the First Peoples work to keep their cultures alive through several means: broadcasting through the media, tourism, teaching culture at school, teaching languages and art, etc. This is important because culture is a central element of identity.