Reconciliation Project (IDES 244)

Our cohort’s first Cross Platform Design project of the term revolves around teaching and/or informing Canadians on reconciliation, the basis for each individual/group project are chosen call of actions taken from the Truth and Reconciliation report from 2015.

For this project, I will be partnering up with Harlen to design a memory game utilizing Scratch. Our communication goal for this game is to teach people about the origins of indigenous languagues, both location and historical wise, in order to raise awareness for said languages.

Many Aboriginal languages became endangered or extinct as a result of the Residential School system that sprouted in 1831, where aboriginal students were prohibited from speaking their native language. Present-day, many within First Nations communities refuse to speak, or have forgotten how to speak their languages. Although, perservation and revitalization efforts are being made to protect these languagues today.

With this project we hope to reach those who wish to learn more and become aware about Canada’s rough history and the unique languages that have been lost to or affected by this history.

As such, we have chosen to cover the following calls to action, #13-16:

“13. We call upon the federal government to acknowledge that Aboriginal rights include Aboriginal language rights.

14. We call upon the federal government to enact an Aboriginal Languages Act that incorporates the following principles:

1. Aboriginal languages are a fundamental and valued element of Canadian culture and society, and there is an urgency to preserve them.

2. Aboriginal language rights are reinforced by the Treaties.

3. The federal government has a responsibility to provide sufficient funds for Aboriginal-language revitalization and preservation.

4. The preservation, revitalization, and strengthening of Aboriginal languages and cultures are best managed by Aboriginal people and communities.

5. Funding for Aboriginal language initiatives must reflect the diversity of Aboriginal languages.

15. We call upon the federal government to appoint, in consultation with Aboriginal groups, an Aboriginal Languages Commissioner. The commissioner should help promote Aboriginal languages and report on the adequacy of federal funding of Aboriginal-languages Initiatives.

16. We call upon post-secondary institutions to create university and college degree and diploma programs in Aboriginal languages.”