The numbers of speakers of many Indigenous languages are rising as youth and elders are learning, documenting, and sharing cultural knowledge. I produced this short public service announcement ahead of the International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022-2032) to build awareness among librarians about facilitating access to Indigenous knowledge records, technologies, and media that are essential for language vitality. The organizers of the international decade mention the provision of such access in their objectives, which are available here: https://en.unesco.org/sites/default/files/los_pinos_declaration_170720_en.pdf
I produced the PSA in a short time frame as part of an intensive course at UBC about Indigenous language revitalization and documentation. I recruited three librarians to appear in the PSA: Moon Kim (she/her), Acquisitions Librarian at Ohio State University; Sarah Dupont (she/her), Head Librarian at X̱wi7x̱wa Library; and Treasa Bane (she/her), Electronic Resources Management Librarian at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
References:
Indigenous Corporate Training Inc. (2019). Why is it important to protect and revitalize Indigenous languages? [Blog post]. https://www.ictinc.ca%2Fblog%2Fwhy-is-it-important-to-protect-revitalize-indigenous-languages
Khelsilem. (2017). Canada needs thriving Indigenous languages [Video]. TedX Talks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljBjUbVWmbQ&t=0s
Whaley, L.J. (2011). Some ways to endanger an endangered language project. Language and Education 25(4), pp. 339-348. https://doi-org/10.1080/09500782.2011.577221
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