citizenship,  digital storytelling,  empowerment,  media literacy,  story

Digital stories in the Kwak’wala language

Only 270 people can speak Kwak’wala (source) so it’s highly endangered. Digital storytelling has a vital role in keeping a record of languages as they’re spoken today.

The Mayatlan’s Wila Culture and Language Group for their Kwak’wala Digital Language Project has won Canadian Government funding to create 20 digital stories in the Kwak’wala language that will reflect daily activities, such as family meal times and home routines, as well as traditional events like food gathering…

Capturing a language in this way in itself is not enough; digital storytelling needs to be just one piece of the jigsaw pieces that make a language relevant and vibrant.

I do wish the speakers of the Kwak’wala language all the best in ensuring this language not only survives but thrives. And I look forward to seeing the stories.

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