Nuu-da’Mv-ne’- A Case Study in Creating and Utilizing an Indigenous Language Archive

Reclaiming archival language materials is often framed as a repatriation or re-possession of cultural property. Carson and Jerome would like to present an alternative view, in which archival materials exist as a part of the cultural community, and not as a discrete possession. In this light, working with archival materials exists as a responsibility to our ancestors, community and selves. We seek to position today’s language and cultural revitalization work along a longstanding and intentional effort by our communities to maintain inter-generational knowledge transmission and fulfill our responsibilities as Xvsh (Indian people). We explore the role that linguistics and archival management can play in re-humanizing Native sree-ye’ (hearts and minds), and in strengthening the connection between ancestral generations and today’s community. Our talk will focus on our ongoing work to create a digital archive for Oregon Dene language materials, called Nuu-da’ Mv-ne’ (ildarchive.org/nuuda), and our related linguistic and language materials development.

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