Biskaabiiyaang Joins Global Community for UNESCO International Decade of Indigenous Languages 2022-2032
Indigenous Metaverse becomes associated UNESCO organization to promote and protect endangered Indigenous languages
Biskaabiiyaang: The Indigenous Metaverse today announces its registration and approval as part of UNESCO’s International Decade of Indigenous Languages 2022-2032 (IDIL) via their global community platform. Biskaabiiyaang joins 1,400 associated organizations working together to promote and protect Indigenous languages.
View Biskaabiiyaang’s member profile here at the official IDIL website.
As part of the IDIL, Biskaabiiyaang will share and exchange Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe language) resources and contribute to a growing community of action for Indigenous languages. It will also share stories, tools, and research into metaverse learning as the project develops, produced by its network of First Nation Elders, Anishinaabe community members, the Indigenous Youth Council, and its partners Nokiiwin Tribal Council, York University, and UniVirtual.
“We highly value the opportunity to further our knowledge of Indigenous languages and issues through connecting with the global community,” says Professor Maya Chacaby, Biskaabiiyaang’s Chief Visionary.
William Prensky, the Founder and Chairman of the Board for UniVirtual, the company building Biskaabiiyaang in the metaverse, says, “Since work began on Biskaabiiyaang, it has been an honour to listen to the Anishinaabe community, not only to learn what they know but also how they feel.
“Connecting with Indigenous communities on a global scale through the UNESCO platform is a wonderful opportunity for our project, its partners, and for our team members as individuals; through learning and listening to Indigenous voices working for change, our worlds, both virtual and real, will be better for it. The centuries of Indigenous experience are vital if we are to survive, after having ignored those voices for far too long.”
The IDIL’s Global Action Plan provides a strategic framework for its community, from UN-system entities, national governments, Indigenous peoples’ organizations, civil society and academia, to the private sector. Biskaabiiyaang supports the Global Action Plan by providing a sustainable, lifelong learning environment that will archive, safeguard, and revitalize Anishinaabemowin. Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples will be able to access Biskaabiiyaang as part of their formal or non-formal education at any time, regardless of geographical location.
Further in line with the Global Action Plan, Biskaabiiyaang’s process and vision recognizes and respects Indigenous knowledge. Through systems of digital empowerment, Indigenous communities are contributing their expertise to programs in Indigenous knowledge, histories, language, sciences, and philosophies.
Through the IDIL community and over the following decade, Biskaabiiyaang aims not only towards the resurgence of Anishinaabemowin but of all Indigenous communities and languages across the world.
‘The International Decade of Indigenous Languages “leaving no one behind, no one outside” – by 2032.’
[Official motto of the International Decade.]
About Biskaabiiyaang
Biskaabiiyaang is an Indigenous-led metaverse that delivers Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) language and First Nation cultural competency programs. Through partnerships with the Nokiiwin Tribal Council, York University, and metaverse builders UniVirtual, Biskaabiiyaang archives and safeguards the living heritage of Indigenous Peoples.
The project runs in tandem with the UN International Decade of Indigenous Language and aims to support Anishinaabe resurgence by delivering Indigenous knowledge, histories, language, sciences, and philosophies in a unique, immersive environment. Through experiential education, learners explore and engage with an Indigenized curriculum and connect with community Elders during social, real-time events. Biskaabiiyaang is a safe space to learn, collaborate, and adventure together, regardless of geographical location.
To learn more, visit www.biskaabiiyaang.com
For more information, contact:
Carolyn Cronin – Marketing & PR, UniVirtual
carolyn@cndg.info