MIT Solve

Solution Overview

Solution Name:

Navajo Legends

One-line solution summary:

Create engaging, animated stories that revive the Navajo language and culture while expanding our media presence

Pitch your solution.

My tribe, the Navajo (Diné), is following a troubling trend. Fluent Indigenous language speakers are dwindling. In an effort to help reverse this trend, my proposal is to create an animation series to help revive the Navajo language for present and future generations. Coincidentally, reviving a language will also revive culture as language can convey cultural and familial connections as well as deep rooted beliefs. As a member of a race that was almost decimated by colonization, the struggle to be recognized and acknowledged by outsiders is a constant battle -- but a battle that can swayed with present days tools in technology and social media. Animations are a medium that can be enjoyed by nearly all generations. Through this project, I hope to build a foundation to continue creating animations as an independent studio where I can tell Indigenous stories and serve as a production resource for tribes.

Film your elevator pitch.

What specific problem are you solving?

According to the Navajo Times, fluent speakers of the Navajo language dropped drastically in one generation from 93 percent (1980) to 51 percent (2010).

Here's the story of how the Navajo language disappeared in my family. My grandparents grew up as fluent Navajo speakers. However, my parents were strongly discouraged (and at times punished) for speaking Navajo in school. They were still able to understand some conversational Navajo while at home, but they never became fluent speakers. As a result, my sibling and I grew up in English speaking households. I've taken Navajo language classes, but despite my efforts, it’s been difficult to retain the language when I've never lived in a Navajo speaking household.

The decline of fluent Navajo speakers is not unique to the Navajo tribe. According to several reports, fluent Indigenous language speakers are declining across the North Americas where our populations are estimated to be between 4 - 6 million (U.S. + Canada).

What is your solution?

The primary aim of this project is to revive Navajo language through popular and familiar media (i.e., 3D animation and motion graphics) that will be engaging, entertaining and immersive for present and future generations. The stories will be engaging and immersive because the stories will be told through our own eyes and experiences (no white gaze here) and will not be subject to the whims of major studios. Immersive media is also considered to be one of the best methods for learning and remembering languages. Similarly to "Dora the Explorer", the animations will consist of a mix of English and Navajo.

This solution will also financially benefit those hired onto the project such as Navajo voice actors, fluent Navajo speakers and teachers, Navajo musicians and artists.

I plan to create the animations and media with Adobe software (After Effects, Illustrator, Photoshop) and 3D modeling and animation software such as Maya and/or Blender.

Strong preference will be given to Native-led solutions that directly benefit and are located within the Indigenous communities. Which community(s) does your solution benefit?

The animation series is based in the Navajo reservation which where I grew up and currently reside. When completed, the series will be benefit several of the 399,494+ enrolled members of the Navajo tribe who are non-fluent in the Navajo language. This project will require direct participation from members of my community/reservation as I hope to hire Navajo voice actors, fluent Navajo language speakers, Navajo artists and musicians. An additional benefit of this project will be the jobs it creates for Navajo and Native hires.

Which dimension of the Fellowship does your solution most closely address?

Support language and cultural revitalization, quality K-12 education, and support for first-generation college students

Explain how the problem you are addressing, the solution you have designed, and the population you are serving align with the Challenge.

My solution primarily addresses language revitalization as fluent Navajo language speakers are declining. The project aims to revive the Navajo language through a popular and widely accessible medium for all 399,494+ enrolled members of the Navajo tribe and future generations. Those hired for the animation series while also will financially benefit. Additionally, this solution increases our visibility in media. Seeing ourselves in our own stories can be inspiring and uplifting.

In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?

Nenahnezad, NM, USA

What is your solution’s stage of development?

Prototype: A venture or organization building and testing its product, service, or business model.

Explain why you selected this stage of development for your solution.

The script for the animation series is nearly complete. I've written 6 of 8 episodes and have outlines for episodes 7 and 8. I've started character and environment design. And have put out a casting call for episodes 1 and 2. I'm nearing production mode and am in need of funding to hire Navajo voice actors.

Who is the Team Lead for your solution?

Crystal Ray

Please indicate the tribal affiliation of your primary delegate.

Navajo

Is your primary delegate a member of the community in which your project is based?

Yes