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From texts to texting, traditional languages are taking over

Technology is embracing Indigenous languages like never before, you'll hear about the importance of accurate translation and meet a man selling rare books from a van. This week, we're talking all about traditional languages and where you'll find them next.
CBC Radio ·
First Voices was created by First Peoples' Cultural Council in British Columbia. Choose your language like Blackfoot, Dene or Wendat and the app will customize your keyboard for the special characters required for the language to text, Facebook message and even Tweet. (Facebook)
Unreserved40:55Indigenous music, books and language - there's an app for that

​If you've always wanted to text  in Cree, Anishinabemowin or Maori, now there's an app for that!

FirstVoices is an app that has over 100 Indigenous languages including those from Canada, the U.S., Australia and New Zealand. Choose a language like Blackfoot, Dene or Wendat and the app will customize your keyboard for the special characters required so you can text and write Facebook messages. University of Victoria assistant professor Trish Rosborough is using the app, and explains the power of tweeting in traditional languages. 

Ottawa group Twin Flames is Jaaji and Chelsey June. Both have Indigenous heritage but grew up with very different experiences of their culture.
David Ellis has large collection of rare Indigenous books. (Alya Ramadan/CBC)

David Ellis is a former fisherman who now collects and sells rare First Nation's books. He is travelling through northern B.C. with the portable bookstore. Carolina de Ryk takes us on a tour of his book van.

For Inuit it can be especially challenging to translate words like tree or psychiatrist. But a group in Ottawa is helping Inuit find the words. They're called the Inuk Task Force. They provide cultural and language translation, so programs offered by Ottawa social service agencies are more culturally relevant. Hallie Cotnam drops in for some language lessons.

We all watched helplessly as a massive fire ate away at Fort McMurray Alta. Homes, families and lives destroyed as it made it way across the province. Many Canadians sent hope, love and support to those who lost everything. Stanley Barkman was one of those people. He began his walk to Fort Mac from Sioux Lookout, Ont., and is raising funds along the way. Stephanie Cram checks in on his journey so far. 

Stephen Kakfwi ((CBC News))
The week's playlist:

Stephen Kakfwi - Yahkehgotine (Dene Prayer Song)

Twin Flames - Plane Song

Midnight Shine - Northern Man

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