By: Cheryl Lu
On June 21, Canada’s National Indigenous Peoples Day, MCIS announced three micro-grants worth $20,000 in total to three selected language access and revitalization community initiatives.
These grants, valued at $10,000, $5000 and $5000, celebrate outstanding contributions to language advocacy across Canada.
As the sponsor and co-host of the Language Keeper Hackathon 2024, which coincided with Canadian Language Advocacy Day, MCIS is dedicated to addressing language-related challenges. This event brought together industry representatives, technologists, linguists, professionals, policymakers, and community advocates to find innovative solutions to language issues.
The Inception of Language Advocacy Day
The project of Language Advocacy Day initially started in 2020, and is celebrated through webinars, panels and online discussions every year.
The Language Keeper Hackathon, one of the major language advocacy events in 2024, gathered over 60 language advocates to discuss key topics such as Hospitals Active Offer, Indigenous Languages Revitalization, French Language Advocates and Language Services AI. During the three stages of team formation – scan and discuss, create, and report – each group shared their results on the challenges of the topics, the solutions they identified, and how they intended to proceed.
Highlighting the Winners
First Prize: Documenting Historical Kanyen’kehá Landscape Knowledge
The biggest prize of $10,000 has been awarded to Documenting Historical Kanyen’kehá:ka Landscape Knowledge, led by Rebekah R. Ingram and Thohahènte, Geolinguistics. Their project is dedicated to preserving and documenting the linguistic, cultural, ecological, and historical knowledge of the Kanyen’kehá:ka (Mohawk) people’s traditional landscapes. Using earth observation technologies and the Nunaliit mapping platform, the team captures multimedia information paired with stories from first-language speakers to create a comprehensive Atlas for cultural, historical, and educational purposes. It aims to support language and cultural revitalization and ensure that this vital Indigenous Knowledge is passed down to future generations.
Dr. Rebekah R. Ingram PhD, Founder and Co-owner of Geolinguistics.
Thohahènte, Co-owner of Geolinguistics.
A map of Mohawk Nation Territory at Akwesasne Created by Kawennate St. Regis Mohawk Tribe GIS Program, dated May 7, 1998. This map shows both Kanyen’kéha and English names of locales and islands. The Mohawk names contain landscape, environmental, historical, and cultural information that demonstrates the deep connections of the Mohawk culture to their land.
Fishing is a significant food source for the Kanyen’kehá:ka People. Here, Thohahènte works with youth in the community to fish and learn the names of the streams and rivers, many of which are directly connected to these species.
The Nunaliit mapping platform allows for multimedia information to be coupled with the geographical information. One method of doing this is through earth observation technologies, such as drones, which capture photos and videos of the landscape. These are then paired with the stories and knowledge about these places from the first-language speakers. All of this information is stored in the Atlas, where it is available for cultural, historical, or teaching purposes.
Capturing photos of local wildlife and providing their Kanyen’kéha names and cultural significance are a part of data gathering for the Atlas. Stories and information that relate to these species and locations can be added to contribute to holistic land-based education and revitalization.
Second Prize: Newcomer Info Hub
The second prize of $5,000 is awarded to the Newcomer Info Hub project by Refugee 613 and led by the very talented Eva Boakye. This project ensures that essential settlement information is accessible to the newcomers who need it most, aiding their integration into Canadian society.
Here are examples of Refugee 613’s project:
Third Prize: Improving Healthcare through Language Accessibility
The last but definitely not the least microgrant of $5,000 has been awarded to Dr. Sukhmeet Singh Sachal’s “Improving Healthcare through Language Accessibility” project,. The initiative, set in London, Ont., focuses on enhancing language accessibility in hospitals. It will include both digital and on-site campaigns to highlight the crucial role of professional translators in improving healthcare quality.
MCIS’s micro-grants celebrate and support vital language advocacy work across Canada. By funding projects that preserve Indigenous languages, assist newcomers, and improve healthcare communication, MCIS underscores its commitment to fostering a linguistically inclusive society.
The official report, drafted by Eliana Trinaistic, Nicole Fiorillo and Language Access Coalition of Canada (LACC), was also published on June 21. Check out LACC’s website to read more about the Report:
The Language Policy Hackathon sparked opportunities for future collaboration and advancements in language policy governance, as demonstrated by the joint solutions to four language advocacy issues. Additionally, we wish to commend the three winners for their exceptional contributions to supporting diverse language communities.
MCIS will also support these initiatives and others through its Social Benefit Fund Initiative Program. The program aims to explore how transformative technologies can enhance language accessibility. By offering future micro-grant opportunities, MCIS seeks to refine and implement innovative ideas.
– 2024 Language Keepers Policy Hackathon Report: Key Insights on Advancing Language Rights in Canada