IQ Story 5
A Future of Revitalized Language and Culture with Digital Technologies
I am Abe Okpik an 87-year-old Elder of the Iqaluit community, I have witnessed a profound transformation in our ways of being, our traditions, and how we teach and learn. Not long ago, I feared that our language the heart of our identity was slipping away following the assimilation attempts of residential schools. I can recall the sterile concrete walls, the 24feet-by-24feet classrooms with all the desks lined neatly, and the warning on the chalkboard saying ENGLISH ONLY! Anyways, those days are gone, now, I see children fluent in both Inuktitut and English, thanks to an immersive language curriculum and hands-on cultural programs. These aren’t just concrete classrooms like my days; they’re living spaces where our youth weave baskets, chant songs, and learn sacred dances while being guided by their teachers and elders. Technology has its role here too, particularly virtual reality (VR). Although I was hesitant to adopt VR at first, I later saw how it could bridge the gap between the physical and digital realms, it has allowed a piqued interest from youth to experience ceremonies, rituals, and heritage events as if they were physically present, regardless of geographical barriers. We were starting to notice more youth gravitating towards digital Western games and they were less inclined to attend cultural events and ceremonies but, ever since the new computer science teacher at the school introduced VR it offered the concept of blending digital technologies with authenticity access for cultural preservation. With advancements like haptic feedback and AI-driven avatars, VR experiences are becoming increasingly realistic and engaging. The new multimodal media avenues have not only brought together our youth and culture but are true calls to action for undoing some of the injustices of the residential school system.
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