Tag Archives: language revitalization

Module 4 Weblog – Post #1 – Traditional Languages – New Media

The Our World website shares the results of a series of film making workshops that have been carried out in numerous First Nations communities in BC and Yukon. The project was originally a National Film Board initiative, but more recently has been supported by an organization known as Bite Size Media.

The stories found on this site are all examples of First Nations collaborating with elders to learn more about their language and culture. Most of the videos are narrated in a traditional language, and in some cases, share traditional stories, songs and dances. However, many of the pieces also share very poignant perspectives on the loss of culture and the film makers’ struggles to define their own identities.  The site is organized according to the places in which the film making workshops have taken place. As such it provides a sense of the unique nature of each people and its youth as well as how these media pieces were received by the communities in which they were created.

One of the most notable things that I found about this site was the range of approaches and techniques chosen by the young people who created these digital stories. The videos are visually very diverse and have clear and distinct voices. Nonetheless, I found, they all result in a very similar and significant impact on the viewer.

Module 4: Post 5: Cree Curriculum

This link will open a PDF document that is a resource produced by Cree elders, and educators and published by AlbertaEducation.ca for teaching Cree culture and language. This document is geared towards Cree people who are interested in revitalizing their language through language nests, immersion schools, or language centers.  This document provides a lot of background knowledge on how to implement a successful language program.  It provides activities, lessons and evaluations.  This is a useful document because the Provincial Government helped to cooperate with Cree elders and community members in the making of this resource.  It shows support for the language revitalization efforts and helps to create a guideline for success using a Cree approach.

http://education.alberta.ca/media/659383/creekto3gi.pdf

Module 4: Post 4: Learning Inuit

This is a website that offers online language education materials in different Inuit dialects.  It also offers lessons and translations from both English and French to the Inuit language.  There is an abundant amount of information and interactive lessons on learning vocabulary, grammar, dialogue and practice from beginner to intermediate levels of the language learner.  This allows Inuit peoples who are interested in learning their language to independently practice online for free. I think that an online language tool is not the only answer for helping language revitalization as the daily use of language with community and family is vital.  Also, many people may not have access to computers or fast speed internet to be able to access this information.  However, I think that by providing online educational resources in the Inuit languages is a step in the right direction in helping to support and maintain local Inuit languages.

http://www.tusaalanga.ca/splash

Module 4: Post 3: Yulakota

I came across a video that is a Bernstein Bears TV show spoken in Lakota language.  This stood out to me because as I was researching for my final research project I read an article about Lakota language revitalization.  In  the article it says, “ Lakota’s have a concept called yulakota, which means to make or transform a foreign idea into something compatible with Lakota culture” (Powers: 2009, p. 145).  This video link is a good example of taking a Western TV show, Bernstein Bears but translating it into Lakota language therefore portraying Lakota values which are embedded in the language and helping to create material and resources to support language revitalization which the article believes needs to be taught to the younger generation.  This is a useful site for Lakotas to use in language centres or at home to continue to encourage and promote the use of their local language.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xCHht4X2Kc&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

 

Powers, W. (2009). Saving lakota: Commentary on language revitalization. American Indian Culture and Research Journal, 33 (4), p. 139 – 149.

Module 3 – Post 4 – Language and Interface

One question that may have come to minds of those examining technology and Indigenous education is the language barrier. Do the tools that are used to facilitate contemporary online interaction restricted in their ability to interface with traditional languages?

http://www.cs.waikato.ac.nz/~tetaka/PDF/IndigELearn.pdf

This very interesting paper from New Zealand documents the adaptation of interfaces towards Maori language. This paper outlines some of the fundamental challenges that need to be overcome in any such adaptation. Some basic ideas that are assumed to be ‘universal’ in fact do not have a role within traditional indigenous cultures and needed to be considered in any redesigned technology interface.

Module 3 – Post 2 – A Game of Languages

This very intriguing online tool allows young children to explore the Indigenous languages of North America through a series of activities.

http://www.firstvoiceskids.com/

There are a very large amount of languages that can be explored and user’s are able to hear and interact with a variety of objects, numbers, and phrases. A very good resource for anyone who wishes to expose children to a more playful way of learning these ancient languages through a variety of interactive means.

Mod 3:2 First Nations Languages Online

I am more and more interested in language preservation. I know there are things going on in Saskatchewan to aid in language preservation but I had no idea that there were opportunities to learn FN languages online.

The website below is the Saskatchewan First Nation Speaking Project. It has free material for teachers on FN languages and it has more than 800 audio files so people can listen and learn online.

http://www.allanadam.com/Saskatchewan%20First%20Nation%20Speaking%20Project%20overview.pdf

Module 3: Post 2: Language Nest

Apihtaikosisan is a website created by a Metis woman who comes from a Plains Cree speaking community but is currently located in an urban setting.  She is a qualified teacher and has experiences teaching in Native communities in the North West Territories.  Her passion is language revitalization.  In her website, she has a blog, a hall of shame which shows images that currently misrepresent Indigenous peoples, and shares educational resources and Indigenous art.  She has started her own language nest.  A language nest is usually a school or pre-school where children are immersed in their Indigenous language and learn traditional crafts.  In creating her school, she followed 5 rules : “Rule 1: Never ask permission, never beg to save the language. Go ahead and get started, don’t wait even five minutes. Don’t wait for a grant. Rule 2: Don’t debate the issues. Rule 3: Be very action-oriented: just act. Rule 4: Show, don’t tell. Don’t talk about what you will do. Do it and show it.”

It is inspiring reading about a woman who is very passionate about saving her culture and language.  Through the Internet, I think it is easier for Indigenous leaders and followers to connect and make a change in revitalizing and evolving their culture.

http://apihtawikosisan.com/

Module 2.5. Finding Our Talk: A Journey into Indigenous Languages

Finding Our Talk is a documentary series consisting of 13 episodes that examine the states of  various Indigenous languages in Canada and worldwide. Finding Our Talk 3, which I chose to share, examines Canadian aboriginal languages, as well as Sami, Maya, Quechan, Maori, Arrente and Hawaiian languages. The episode addresses the role of new technologies endangered language revitalization.

The video  can be found on: http://vimeo.com/13656664

Mod 2:5 Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre

The Saskatchewan Indian Cultural Centre is committed to helping maintain the languages and cultures of First Nations people. Their website has information on the various First Nations in Saskatchewan as well as a section on how to respect Elders. The website has information that could easily be used with students.

http://www.sicc.sk.ca/elders_faq.html