Module 1, Entry 3
In my research on how technology can help to preserve endangered Indigenous languages, I came across FirstVoices, which is a set of opensource software created to record, promote, and preserve Indigenous languages and oral culture. The project is an initiative of the First People’s Cultural Council (FPCC) whose mission is to assist B.C. First Nations in revitalizing indigenous languages, arts and cultures.
The FirstVoices project allows indigenous communities to document their language for future generations. The site is an excellent resource which offers international online indigenous language archiving and teaching resources. Through the creation of unique ‘community sites’ member groups help to preserve and promote the diversity of Indigenous languages and culture. For each community site, Elders and youth can upload dictionaries, alphabets, songs, sacred prayers, stories, words, and phrases though mediums such as audio and video to their community archives. In addition to making such resources available to the public, the site also allows for members to create content that are only available to select users and to their communities, such as sacred prayers, dances, and stories.
Here’s the link to FirstVoices: https://www.firstvoices.com/home
Projects under FirstVoices include:
FirstVoices Kids – Which includes interactive online games and access to various beginner level language resources for pre-readers.
FirstVoices Dictionary Apps– Mobile apps which include interactive dictionary/phrases in several of B.C.’s Indigenous languages.
FirstVoices Keyboards– This keyboard software contains over 100 languages and includes every First Nations language in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, as well as other languages in the US.