In the face of the language endangerment crisis, Indigenous communities around the world are creating and adapting technology to keep their languages strong. In the western hemisphere, two regions are particular hotspots of innovation in language vitality technology. 

In British Columbia, Canada, First Nations communities are sharing language online with tools like FirstVoices, using social media and digital journalism for language activism and awareness, and building online communities to strengthen language reclamation activities. Similarly, the past decade has seen a surge of Indigenous language technology and digital activism across Mayan-speaking communities in Mexico, Belize, and Guatemala, where activists and scholars are building tools and spaces for Mayan languages to thrive in the digital world. 

To support the sharing of experiences, knowledge, and ideas across borders, ELP and FirstVoices co-hosted a workshop series called "Shifting the Narrative, Reclaiming Ourselves: Indigenous Language Revitalization and Digital Activism" in March 2023. This 6-session workshop series brought together First Nations communities in BC and Mayan communities in Mexico to share lessons, stories, and ideas in Indigenous language technology across these two regions. 

Each workshop spotlighted a different tool, idea, or challenge in Indigenous language technology, and shared examples of language technology projects happening in BC First Nations and Mayan communities. Language champions from both regions shared the innovative programs they are leading in their communities, built collaborative relationships across borders, and shared their work and learning with the public at a panel on April 1, 2023. 

The workshop report, with insights and summaries of the workshop series, can be read below.