The project will support Indigenous communities and community-based organizations in creating interactive ebooks about traditional food, culture, and language.
Blossom is empowering communities with unique language learning tools
Global surveys of language revitalization programs have found that technology can play a positive role in community-driven language efforts, especially among youth. However, most Indigenous languages still lack technology-enabled support. A majority of Indigenous people in the U.S. use digital devices, but platforms that support Indigenous languages to create ebooks and tell bilingual narratives are virtually nonexistent.
Through a new effort funded in part by the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD), Blossom aims to provide Indigenous communities with the ability to create and share important stories using the Bilingual Story-Switching Method. We plan to create a new suite of language technology tools, such as text-to-speech engines specifically trained to the sound systems of the target languages, and then work to expand the toolset for other languages in accordance with community interest. These new tools will be developed with the guidance of language technologists, and specifics regarding the capabilities of the tools to be created will emerge from community consultations to ensure that the tools meet a broad range of community needs. Community members will be able to create their own stories then share them through a private, permissions-based library of bilingual storybooks proprietary to the creators.
To read more about Blossom and our unique approach to bilingual storytelling, visit us at iblossom.com.
Indigenous language preservation leads to better health outcomes
A growing body of research suggests that youth empowerment through Native language and culture identity development leads to improved health outcomes. Native communities with opportunities to learn or maintain their heritage language have demonstrated lower rates of diabetes and a lower prevalence of smoking. Community validation of Indigenous knowledge empowers youth and exerts a strong and positive influence on health promotion efforts.
Language preservation has been found to be most effective during early childhood, but to date there have been few authentic and age-relevant educational materials. In fact, only 1% of published children’s books in the US and Canada are about Native Americans and even fewer are written in Indigenous languages.
In addition to the benefits of language preservation, reliance on a more traditional diet has been shown to reduce weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose levels. To further boost health outcomes, this project will focus on stories about health topics such as nutrition and traditional diet to empower Indigenous youth. Community members who participate will determine what topics will best serve the needs of the community.
Blossom is partnering with Anishinaabe language and food experts to share decolonized stories with children and families
Under the guidance of Kenny Neganigwane Pheasant (Anishinaabe, Wikwemikong First Nation) and Dr. Martin Reinhardt (Anishinaabe, Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians), Blossom is supporting the creation of a new library of bilingual Anishinaabemowin/English ebooks that introduce children to traditional food, agriculture, and nutritional practices.
Kenny Neganigwane Pheasant is a First Speaker, Anishinaabemowin language teacher, and creator of the language learning website anishinaabemdaa.com. Dr. Martin Reinhardt is a tenured professor of Native American Studies at Northern Michigan University and president of the Michigan Indian Education Council. His research focuses on revitalizing relationships between humans and Indigenous plants and animals of the Great Lakes Region.
The team will conduct a series of community consultations to kick off the project in fall 2022 and begin creating Blossom books with Anishinaabe authors and illustrators in 2023. They plan to pilot early versions of the books at the Anishinaabe Family Language and Culture Camp in July 2023.
Are you a community leader working to revitalize a Native language?
We are seeking 2 additional community partners to grow and revitalize Indigenous languages with Blossom. As one of the early adopters, you will not only enjoy the benefits of Blossom, you will also work closely with our team to deliver a customized experience for you and your community and significantly shape our program as we grow.
If you would like to explore a partnership, please fill out this form or reach out to Dr. Kate Riestenberg at kriestenberg@t19s.com to see how your community may benefit from this exciting opportunity.
PS: Please ask us how our “Buy 1, Get 1” program is going to help us extend our reach to Indigenous communities at no cost.
