Indigenize Toys

The specific problem that Indigenize Technology aims to solve is the loss of Indigenous languages among communities in Turtle Island (North America). Due to colonization and historic policies of assimilation; Indigenous languages have been systematically suppressed and marginalized. This has led to over 70 languages in Canada being endangered, critically endangered, or near extinction. This problem has had far-reaching consequences for Indigenous children, who have been denied access to their ancestral knowledge and practices, resulting in reduced academic success, decreased self-esteem, and a lack of cultural identity.

This project addresses this problem directly by creating innovative language resources that are accessible and engaging for Indigenous children. By repurposing and recycling modern English-speaking toys and using widely available microcontrollers, teaching basic soldering skills, as well as introducing simple programming skills, this project is providing a low-cost solution that is scalable and sustainable. Through this approach, we are helping to bridge the gap between traditional Indigenous knowledge and modern technology, creating a pathway for language revitalization that is relevant and engaging for younger generations.

We are contributing to a broader movement of language reclamation and cultural resurgence and this work is important in regard to well-being and empowerment of Indigenous communities. By empowering Indigenous children with access to their ancestral knowledge and practices, this project is helping to reverse the damaging effects of historic erasure and colonization.

This project is just another step towards revitalizing Indigenous languages.

This project utilizes off-the-shelf microcontrollers to repurpose and indigenize English-speaking toys. By programming microcontrollers like the Arduino and ESP32, and connecting them with buttons, sensors, daughterboards, and modules, the toys can be made to speak Indigenous languages.

The process involves taking modern toys that are typically designed to speak in English and modifying them to speak in Indigenous languages instead. This is done by taking apart the toys, identifying their electronic components (speaker, battery, housing, buttons), and connecting them to a microcontroller that has been specifically programmed to play Indigenous languages. The microcontroller is the main board to allow the toy to speak in their Indigenous language.

The use of off-the-shelf microcontrollers and programming skills makes this process efficient, cost-effective, and scalable. This solution allows for the creation of language resources that are accessible and engaging for Indigenous children, bridging the gap between traditional Indigenous knowledge and modern technology. Through this approach, the toys then become a tool for language revitalization that is relevant and engaging for younger generations.

This project serves Indigenous communities in North America, with a focus on Indigenous children impacted by language loss. Indigenous communities have been historically underserved in terms of access to resources that support language revitalization.

By repurposing and indigenizing modern, English-speaking toys to speak Indigenous languages, this solution provides a low-cost, accessible, and engaging tool for language revitalization. The project offers a way for younger generations to connect with traditional Indigenous knowledge and practices through modern technology, bridging the gap between the past and the present.

This solution has the potential to impact Indigenous children's lives in many ways, including increased academic success, improved self-esteem, and a strengthened cultural identity. By providing access to language resources that are relevant and engaging, the project empowers Indigenous children to reclaim their language and culture, reversing the damaging effects of historic erasure and colonization.

Furthermore, this project has the potential to benefit Indigenous communities beyond just language revitalization. By engaging with modern technology and programming skills, the project provides an opportunity for skill development and job creation within the community. The project also contributes to a broader movement of language reclamation and cultural resurgence, empowering Indigenous communities to take control of their own cultural preservation and revitalization.

The project aims to directly and meaningfully improve their lives by providing access to language resources that are low-cost, accessible, and engaging. Through this solution, the project empowers Indigenous children to reclaim their language and culture, strengthening their academic success, self-esteem, and cultural identity. The project also has the potential to benefit the community beyond just language revitalization, providing opportunities for skill development, job creation, and community empowerment.

This project benefits Indigenous communities in North America who have been impacted by the loss of their language and culture. More specifically, this project benefits any Indigenous community who wishes to engage with this work and collaborate.

The project benefits Indigenous communities in several ways. First, by providing a low-cost, accessible, and engaging tool for language revitalization, the project empowers Indigenous children to reclaim their language and culture. This supports community efforts to revitalize Indigenous languages and traditions, helping to preserve cultural identity and promote intergenerational knowledge transfer.

Additionally, the project has the potential to provide economic benefits to the community. By engaging with modern technology and programming skills, the project provides an opportunity for skill development and job creation within the community. The project may also serve as a platform for broader community engagement, fostering collaboration and promoting community pride and self-determination.

Overall, the project benefits Indigenous communities by supporting language revitalization efforts and promoting cultural preservation and identity. The project may also provide economic and social benefits to the community, contributing to broader community development and empowerment.

The project lead, Jon Rabeneck is Coast Salish from the Snuneymuxw First Nation on his mother's side and also has English and Irish ancestry on his fathers side. He is well positioned to deliver this solution to the target population because he embodies the principles of Two-Eyed Seeing.

Two-Eyed Seeing is a framework that emphasizes the importance of viewing the world through both Indigenous and Western perspectives, and using this knowledge to create innovative and culturally relevant solutions.

As someone who has experienced the impacts of colonization and language loss in his family, community, and nation, Jon brings a unique perspective and understanding to this work and project. He is able to draw upon both his Indigenous and Western knowledge systems to create a solution that is culturally appropriate, effective, and sustainable.

Furthermore, Jon's Coast Salish culture as well as his experience in technology and programming provide him with the necessary skills and knowledge to create the proposed solution. He is able to combine his cultural knowledge and technical expertise to repurpose and indigenize modern, English-speaking toys to speak Indigenous languages.

Overall, the project lead's background and expertise make him well positioned to deliver this solution to Indigenous communities. His understanding of the impacts of colonization and language loss, as well as his ability to integrate Indigenous and Western perspectives, make him an ideal lead for a project that supports language revitalization and cultural preservation.

There are a few ways I hope Solve would help.

Monetary ways could help cover the costs of materials, equipment, and workshop facilitation, as well as support the overall success and sustainability of the project.

Other ways Solve can help would be to link up with subject matter experts with microcontrollers, PCB design, and especially scaling up production for a multitude of toys. Partners with knowledge and experience in these areas can help ensure the toys function effectively and can be produced at a larger scale, which is critical to achieving the project's goals.

Solve can also help by providing a larger platform for media and outreach support. I can work to ensure Indigenous communities and the project is developed in a culturally appropriate way and would support positive community engagement and outreach. Mentorship and training opportunities can help build capacity and ensure the success of the project team and community members involved. Media and outreach support can help raise awareness and support for the project, which is critical to achieving its long-term goals.

Solve can play a critical role in supporting the success of this project by providing financial and non-financial support. By working together, this project would be successful in achieving its goal of creating innovative language resources to help reclaim language and culture in Indigenous communities.

Jon Rabeneck is Coast Salish from the Snuneymuxw First Nation and resides in Tsartlip, another Coast Salish community on Vancouver Island. He is a dedicated and passionate individual who is committed to making a positive impact on Indigenous communities.

Growing up off-reserve, Jon has experienced firsthand the impacts of colonization and language loss in his family, community, and nation. He understands the importance of language and cultural revitalization and has been involved in various initiatives aimed at preserving and promoting Coast Salish culture through unique ways of documenting.

Jon is uniquely positioned to lead this project, drawing on his educational background in Health and Information Science (bachelor's from the University of Victoria) and a Master of Indigenous Governance (also from the University of Victoria). His professional experience as a Healthcare expert with the Provincial Health Services Authority and his passion for bridging gaps, experimenting with microcontrollers, PCB design, and programming, make him a natural problem-solver.

Jon is a strong advocate for Indigenous language revitalization and is dedicated to finding new and innovative ways to achieve this goal. His innovative approach to language revitalization is an inspiration, and his work is helping to ensure that Indigenous languages and cultures continue to thrive for generations to come. As a single father himself, this project provides an opportunity to lead by example and provide youth with fun and interactive tools to learn their language while reclaiming their culture.

Jon's plans to host workshops in Indigenous communities to build these toys themselves, creating a sense of community and empowerment for those involved. Overall, his unique combination of cultural awareness and Western education make him an ideal team lead for this project.

This project is innovative in a number of ways. It repurposes commonly available English-speaking toys to speak Indigenous languages. This approach is innovative because it allows for a cost-effective and accessible solution to language revitalization. Instead of having to create new toys from scratch, which can be expensive and time-consuming, this project leverages existing technology and toys to create a new use case.

Second, the project involves hosting workshops in Indigenous communities to build these toys themselves. This approach is innovative because it creates a sense of community and empowerment for those involved. Participants are not just learning how to use the toys, but are actively involved in building them, which can be a powerful experience.

Third, the project incorporates the concept of Two-Eyed Seeing, which is a way of viewing the world through both Western and Indigenous knowledges and worldviews. This approach is innovative because it recognizes the value of both Western and Indigenous knowledge and seeks to integrate the two. By combining traditional knowledge with modern technology, this project has the potential to create a unique and powerful solution to language revitalization.

Overall, this project is innovative because it leverages existing technology, creates a sense of community and empowerment, and incorporates traditional knowledge in a unique way. By doing so, it has the potential to make a significant impact on Indigenous communities and language revitalization efforts.