SyllabicsOnline.ca

Problem: Access to Indigenous language has a complex and complicated past and access to resources to help support it's growth and continued use were stifled. This has an especially devastating impact on First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples whose history is passed down through story and song. The nêhiyawak (Cree people) have been greatly impacted by this because their history was rarely written down and oral traditions, culture, and ways of living are in the language. 

If we do not increase access and interest in the Indigenous languages, First Nation languages such as nêhiyawêwin (Cree language) are at risk of losing many of it's fluent speakers over the next 10-20 years. nêhiyawêwin (Cree language) is a beautiful and vibrant language and steps must be taken to ensure it's growth. 

Access to Indigenous language was forbidden in many places and it is important recognize this and move forward with solutions that encourage language learning and growth for the health of the communities that speak it.

An alarming 2016 census stated that there are 356,655 people having reported nêhiyaw ancestry in Canada, while as little as 96,575 people reported speaking nêhiyawêwin (Cree language).

That means that only 27% of those indicating they had nêhiyaw ancestry in Canada indicated they spoke nêhiyawêwin (Cree language) and that's a problem because this wasn't by choice.

Solution: Increase access to tools that help with Indigenous language comprehension and growth

SyllabicsOnline.ca is my attempt to help increase access to nêhiyawêwin (Cree language) and to be able to increase interest and growth in the language.  I do this by providing easy to use, easy access to the application. Syllabics Online does not require any additional configuration or installation to use and it will run on most modern devices. 

SyllabicsOnline.ca uses nêhiyaw (Cree) Syllabics and SRO (Standard Roman Orthography) to help bridge the gap between comprehension of nêhiyaw Syllabics and SRO by providing outputs in both formats. 

Standard Roman Orthography (SRO) uses the letters of English alphabet to represent Cree language sounds.

For example the word "tânisi" means "hello" in the nêhiyawêwin (Cree language) and can be represented in two forms.

1. SRO - tânisi

2. Syllabics - ᑖᓂᓯ

For each Syllabic, it's SRO counterpart is provided when using SyllabicsOnline.ca.  

ᑖ - tâ

ᓂ - ni

ᓯ - si

SyllabicsOnline.ca was created using Bubbleapps.io which is a no-code hosting solution. 

SyllabicsOnline.ca is written in Plains Cree or (Y-Dialect) which is primarily spoken in Treaty 6 Territory which covers central west portions of present day Alberta and Saskatchewan, but is not exclusive to these areas. I hope to one day be able to include all the other Cree dialects to further increase it's impact on the Cree language learning community. 

The target population is the nêhiyaw (Cree) community and I hope to be able to improve learning comprehension by providing a simple, easy to use solution for creating words and phrases in Syllabics and SRO.

Language isn't just how we speak. It's who we are and when you connect people to their language, you connect them with history, tradition, culture, story and song.

My solution serves as a tool for anyone wanting to learn nêhiyawêwin (Cree language). Its available to anyone with an internet connection and comes in two forms. The Blue Quills University Star Chart and the First Nation University of Canada Star chart. SyllabicsOnline.ca can be accessed on both desktop and mobile platforms but we recommend desktop for the best experience. 

This solution will benefit language learners by simplifying access and understanding of Syllabics and SRO. 

While testing out this project with the community I received feedback that having audio pronunciation of each Syllabic would further help in comprehension and I am currently looking for ways to move that forward as a result of that feedback.

nôhtâwîpan (my late father) wanted to learn nêhiyawêwin (Cree language) but did not have access to the resources necessary to encourage and foster that learning environment. I inherited a Metis Cree Dictionary and some language learning cassette tapes after his passing and wanted to learn more. nôhkomipan (my late grandmother) was a full blood nêhiyaw iskwew (Cree Women).

As part of my language journey I discovered a gap in resources available in understanding the connection between Syllabics and SRO and this project is a result of that discovery.

I am currently funding the cost of the application on an individual basis. As such I am limited in the amount of resources that I can use for advertising, promotion, and financial stability. I am hoping that I can get some relief in these areas to ensure that this project not only succeeds, but thrives. 

As a result of the direct feedback requesting audio pronunciation it would require me to hire a fluent speaker and test out it's impact on the application which will require further research and development. 

Beyond that it would be an absolute pleasure to be connected with likeminded individuals that are dedicated to growth and prosperity to all Indigenous peoples. 

Alberta Cree Metis

There have been keyboard layouts available to install but many of the community members struggle with using computers. They also provide only one output in Syllabics or SRO but not both. SyllabicsOnline.ca provides access to a tool without the need to further installation or troubleshooting. 

In the next year I would love to see more classes and resources available to Indigenous language learners. Over the next 5 years I would love to see an increase in the amount of people reporting speaking or understanding their language. 

I have been monitoring the use of the application through the resources provided by Bubbleapps.io that allow us to access to reporting. Seeing it's monthly usage increase over time has been a very large part of me continuing to move the project forward. I have also reached out to several communities and the positive feedback I received has helped move this project forward.

The gap I identified in the understanding between Syllabics and SRO can sometimes overwhelming. There are language learners that understand SRO but not Syllabics. While researching more about the language I came across a video of an Elder speaking about how she wished she would have been able to learn Syllabics and I found it to be a mutual problem for many communities.  

Bubbleapps.io is a no-code hosting solution that allows you to create applications using moveable objects that can be given instructions.

I have not come across an application or resource that creates outputs for both Syllabics and SRO. I have cross reference multiple language platforms during the development of this application and verified through multiple sources that the outputs are accurate. 

I am currently one individual but I am committed to ensure that if this project requires more members that I have an inclusive and diverse team.

Free to use application with funding provided by donation and or grants.

SyllabicsOnline.ca has a fairly low monthly cost so it will not take much to ensure the project continues to move forward.

Being able to launch the application has been the biggest success but I have been funding the project myself. I have applied a few grant streams and I am hoping that I am able to secure grants and donations to keep the project going.