Challenge4Change: Together for Indigenous Languages

To celebrate National Indigenous History Month, Challenge4Change, has launched a pilot program in Ontario to fundraise for the retention and growth of Indigenous Languages and Culture.

Indigenous languages are disappearing at an alarming rate. The number of Elders are declining and so too is the ability to speak their language.

As part of the action-based program, a fun and engaging, free app has been developed that lets you learn simple words and phrases in Anishinaabemowin – once the everyday language of many Indigenous communities in Ontario.

Challenge4Change is part of an ongoing campaign, and will be followed by a school program in March of 2019 to coincide with National Indigenous Languages Month.

Funds raised from this first program will be directed to building Nanaamwin, a full-scale, Anishinaabe language and culture-learning platform, and towards next year’s Challenge4Change campaign which will be a roll-out across Canada.

In the ensuing years, the program will first expand to other Indigenous dialects and then beyond languages to a broader umbrella program that will cover other key inititatives including youth empowerment, economic development, governance, health and wellness, sort of like a “United Way to support Indigenous challenges”.

www.challenge4change.ca