Endangered languages, technology and learning: A Yakama/Yakima Sahaptin case study

Abstract

Efforts to support Indigenous and endangered language education continue to utilize technology in a variety of ways. As the vitality of many languages around the world continues to be threatened, it is important to reassess previous developments in order to make better decisions with limited resources. Based on an audit of technological resources developed for North American Indigenous languages, I propose a series of questions that should be asked prior to future investment in any developmental effort. This dissertation is focused on a case study related to these questions. The case study concerns the digital archiving of learning materials for Yakama/Yakima Sahaptin (Ichishkíin Sɨ́nwit) and the process of leveraging these resources for the development of online learning content. A needs analysis was conducted for the Yakama language community as a means of providing further community oversight of the projects. The case study serves as a possible template for communities looking for a low cost system that is pedagogically flexible. A key issue that is highlighted throughout this dissertation is balancing security and access for communities who may wish to prevent out-group (e.g., non-citizens) access.