First Nations Languages Go High Tech in BC

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 15, 2010

B.C. First Nations Language Apps Now Available for the iPod, iPad and iPhone

BRENTWOOD BAY, B.C. – A new language application (app) for the iPod Touch, iPad and
iPhone is making First Nations languages more accessible and easier to learn than ever before.

Developed as a mobile extension of language collections archived by First Nations communities
at FirstVoices.com, the first two prototype apps feature the SENĆOŦEN language of Southern
Vancouver Island and the Halq’eméylem language of the Sto:lo Nation in the Fraser Valley.
Today, it was announced that six more communities with FirstVoices archives will have the
opportunity to build their own mobile dictionaries through funding from the New Relationship
Trust.

FirstVoices Mobile provides media-rich First Nations dictionaries and phrase collections with
audio recordings, images and videos. Also under development are touch-screen keyboards that
use the unique characters of a First Nations language, as well as an English keyboard.

The apps also allow users to customize their dictionaries. “Let’s say you want to look up the
SENĆOŦEN word for bread,” said Peter Brand, FirstVoices Coordinator. “You can search for it
in English or scroll through the SENĆOŦEN archive to find the word—SEPLIL—as well as hear
how it’s pronounced and see a picture. You can also take your own picture of bread and include
that as the image in your personal dictionary.”

The primary audiences for the new app are young First Nations and First Nations living offreserve,
according to Tracey Herbert, Executive Director at the First Peoples’ Heritage, Language
and Culture Council.

“Youth are more likely to incorporate technology into their language learning, which is critical
for the survival of our languages,” said Herbert. “It can also be a challenge for off-reserve First
Nations to learn their languages without direct access to fluent Elders or language programs. This
app will make language more accessible to both groups,” said Herbert.

Thelma Wenman, coordinator of the Sto:lo Nation language program, agrees. “Our language is
taught at board-operated schools, head-start programs, public schools and local universities. The
app makes it easier for students to continue on with their studies. They can download it and study
the language wherever they are.”

FirstVoices Mobile was developed by the First Peoples’ Heritage, Language and Culture Council
with funding from the First Peoples’ Cultural Foundation. The Foundation provides funding to
B.C. First Nations communities in the areas of language, arts and culture. The Council delivers
funding to communities and manages FirstVoices.com.

"Archiving First Nations languages is critical to their survival and a fundamental step in their
revitalization,” said Pauline Terbasket, Chair of the First Peoples’ Cultural Foundation. “Using
popular technology to make these languages more accessible is another wonderful step towards
our goal of hearing our people speak their languages in their everyday lives. We have to do this
now, before it's too late and we lose that chance forever."

Download the apps for free from the iTunes store:
SENĆOŦEN:
http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/id398943185?mt=8
Halq'eméylem : http://itunes.apple.com/ca/app/halqemey ... 45845?mt=8

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To learn more about FirstVoices, visit www.firstvoices.com

To learn more about the First Peoples’ Heritage, Language and Culture Council, visit
www.fphlcc.ca

To learn more about the First Peoples’ Cultural Foundation visit www.fpcf.ca