Category Archives: MODULE 4

This is actually a video presentation sponsored by the UBC Irving K. Barber Learning Centre. This presentation explores a tool kit to “digitize” cultural materials to make resources available to different Indigenous communities. The toolkit was an initiative based on the lack of access as well as the lack of resources available for Indigneous communities, and specifically, Indigenous language resources. Digitization refers to the process of converting cultural materials into an accessible digital form and archive. The University acknowledges that this is a “living” toolkit and will have to adapt as it is continued to be used and interacted with in Indigenous communities. The presentation also highlights the rapid change of technology (for example the rapid irrelevancy of the cassette tape) and is attempting to build a kit that is “meant to last”. I also enjoyed Dustin Rivers’ presentation. He is a member of the Squamish nation and works directly in language revitalization. Dustin explains his own experiences with his language, his experience of learning the technology and the benefits or potential benefits (‘excitement’) that technology can bring. As much as technology can be about connection of communities, this presentation really drove home the idea to analyze, listen to and learn from the recordings of the elder and past. For example, Dustin explained that one thing he learnt was the difference in caliber (power) of how songs are sung now compared to in the past. 

As mentioned in previous posts, it’s important to me to consider and make efforts to explore the impacts and efforts of Coast Salish nations as that is my local, place-based context. 

Lam, M., Lawson, G., Khelsilem, Rivers, D., & Laszlo, K. (2012, June 25). The Indigitization Tool Kit for the First Nations Community Digitization Projects

Although a longer resource, this thesis written by Kirsten Baker-Williams provides an invaluable account of members of Squamish nation and their reflection on language revitalization. I chose this resource because I work in West Vancouver and live in Vancouver of which is unceded and ancestral territory of the Coast Salish Nations, specifically in my area of West Vancouver, the Squamish Nation. I thought it was really important to take the time to find a resource that is local and place based. We have learnt through our study of globalization that there is a need to take a contextual approach to our understanding of Indigenous communities, ways of being and experiences. Although there are larger general trends of colonizations the impacts and identities of each community have their own unique experience and self-determination. Further, the Baker family has been a connection between our school district and the Squamish nation and I am always honoured to hear or read their stories. As this is a large resource, I specifically focused on the interviews of members of the Squamish nation.

The thesis explores issues of colonization and assimilation but also explores the “desire to keep Squamish as a living language”. This also had a certain impact on me as I connected it to one of my earlier webblogs, the Language Maps, that identified there were only a few remaining fluent Squamish speakers although there are hundreds that are learning the language.

Right away, the thesis begins by exploring names, name ceremonies and the connections to identity. This emphasis also helped me pick later resources in my Webblogs.

Baker-Williams, K. (2006). Na mi k’anatsut ta Sk̲wx̲wu7mesh snichim chet : Squamish language revitalization : from the hearts and the minds of the language speakers (T). University of British Columbia.

The FPPC is a council formed by the government that administers “the First Peoples’ Heritage, Language and Culture Program”. The FPPC aims to support Indigenous communities as they revitalize their cultures and traditions. I like this resource because it is a BC based resource and it provides a diversity of resources including accessible links to programs, initiatives, libraries and stories. One of the programs available is the Language Technology Program which is a grant for up to $230,000 to “support language and revitalization using technology”. It is a three step program that involves using FirstVoices to record and archive the language, a digitization program to convert resources to an accessible digital format, and a third step to develop digital tools such as language apps to further language education. 

1. Record
2. Digitize
3. Develop

I like this program because it focuses not only on the recording or documentation of language but also finding solutions to meet the barriers and demands of the digital world, loss of languages and separation of communities. At the program description page, there are abundant links to help participants through this project including a digitization knowledge base, digitization toolkit, firstvoices knowledge base, language lists and more. 

It is critical that there are initiatives like this council to fight for Indigenous community representation and revitalization. Specifically, for the government to support, fund and provide these opportunities as well. There are 6 language programs currently available through the FPPC ranging from mentorship programs to youth language empowerment programs.

https://fpcc.ca/program/ltp/

https://www.ted.com/talks/dale_dougherty_we_are_makers/transcript?language=en

Dale Dougherty’s TED talk about making, and the founding of MAKE expresses the totality of making and the inclusivity of it. We all at some point make food, a home, etc., and Dale does a wonderful job of expressing it.

https://pinnguaq.com/makerspaces/lindsay/

While this is an organization, it hosts a plethora of resources for educators, students, makers, and communities on everything maker. It even provides opportunity for funding to get started on spaces of your own. While not specific to Indigeneity or identity, they host their spaces on or near predominantly Indigenous land which, I believe, highlights their inclusive lens.

https://pathfinderjournal.ca/index.php/pathfinder/article/view/33

A research article centred on building Indigenous representation through digital storytelling in makerspaces. One aspect of a makerspace is the high-tech functionality, and as we’ve discussed in this course this can sometimes lead to un-intended outcomes due to the nature of technology and it not being neutral. This paper provides insight and grounding in creating these spaces to navigate this neutrality.

https://bclaconnect.ca/perspectives/2021/12/20/decolonizing-pandemic-programs-sharing-indigenous-led-traditional-knowledge-in-the-library-makerspace/

A blog articulating specific, localized, efforts to build library makerspaces with the intention of supporting the EDIDA framework. Dalia also highlights the importance of promises and KEEPING them as an aspect of all spaces we create when in partnership with local communities.

https://luclalande.medium.com/ac-makerspace-and-indigenous-learning-b2106c526e06

This blog post briefly outlines various ways, tools and methods of creating a makerspace with an Indigenous focus. When designing these spaces, there has to be a concern with appropriation versus appreciation. While this post doesn’t explicitly speak to this, I think the questioning and guidance around making partnerships imply it.

IndigiMap app

Allows you to use VR to see Turtle island and the various languages. It creates an interactive way for people, and I think that students would enjoy being able to interact and try to speak the languages that are included within the app. I would like to see them add stories, such as creation stories, to the app to add more interactions and useability.

Talking Stick is an iOS app for Saskatchewan Indigenous groups to chat anonymously with a First Nations Peer Advocate. They are there to be a place to share good news, frustrations, or just to chat. I tried using the app myself as I am originally from Saskatchewan and found it helpful to speak to people from my community about issues or thoughts I am currently dealing with.