There are fewer than 12 fluent speakers of Northern Tutchone left in the remote community of Mayo, Yukon – and many of them are elderly. The First Nation of Na-Cho Nyӓk Dun has turned to technology to help preserve the language. The project is called Kwän Dék’án’ Do, or “to keep the fire burning.”In collaboration with Carleton University and the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages, the First Nation is using virtual reality games and a holographic display as teaching tools. They’re also building a digital archive of community objects and constructing a digital language model supported by artificial intelligence. In Mayo’s community hall, Carleton University professor Ali Arya stands in front of what looks like a big white box.’I have goosebumps'”The main attraction of this particular device is that it allows you to have a virtual presence that is very engaging, very three-dimensional and realistic,” he said.With a few swipes of his fingers, he scrolls past icons with the faces of elders and selects one.Suddenly, 78-year-old Walter Peter appears to be sitting inside the box – and begins telling a story. “It’s amazing,” said Krystal Profeit, a community member who showed up to the demonstration. “I actually have goosebumps.”
Yukon First Nation uses holograms to preserve the knowledge of elders
