Technology has enabled the mass media to homogenise our world, with older languages pushed to the margins. But these languages serve as a cultural means to transmit information across generations, keep traditions alive, and preserve humanity’s linguistic diversity.

Next year sees the start of the UN’s Decade of Indigenous Languages, and in some places, technology is being harnessed to help. Teachers of Anishinaabemowin — the language spoken by indigenous peoples in what is now known as North America — are providing learners with virtual reality tools that gamify learning.

We will hear first-hand from Prof. Maya Chacaby of York University, and from Dr William Prensky whose company CNDG are providing the technology. There will also be a short film where Elders of the Nokiiwin Tribal Council share their involvement with the project.

You can watch this free event from here, through the YouTube link below, or if you’d like to join questions and discussion, you can also go to the Science Festival’s YouTube channel