Ancient Voices – Modern Tools

Technology Training Workshops at TLC

The Technology Learning Center (TLC) has a Computer Training Lab, an Audio Studio, and a Resource Library where ILI conducts the training for Technology Workshops. ILI currently offers the following Workshops:

Create Native Language Print Materials (Windows / Mac)

Create Native Language Storytelling (Windows / Mac)

Digital Archiving (Windows) – by appointment only

Contract Service to Bring Training Workshops to Your Community

You can contract ILI to conduct these technology workshops in your community. Please Contact ILI for details.

TLC Facilities and Services for Personal Projects

Besides the workshops, the TLC facilities are available by appointment for indigenous language teachers, learners and advocates to develop their own projects. Some projects that have used the TLC services and equipment:

• Video and audio documenting speakers
• Recording songs and music in the Audio Studio
• Converting cassette audio tapes to CDs
• Recording Public Service Announcements

Please contact the Workshop Coordinator for information about fees and appointment.

Previous Regional Workshops

Offering of the Technology Workshops began in August 2002 when ILI convened 90 participants to the “Ancient Voices, Modern Tools: Tech-Knowledge Conference hosted by the University of Washington in Seattle, WA. Since that time, ILI conducted a series of Regional Tech-Knowledge Training Workshops in the following regions to reach individuals who otherwise could not travel to New Mexico:

• Spring 2008: Storytelling with Technology held at Bellevue Community College, Bellevue, Washington.
• Fall 2007: Storytelling with Technology held at Winona State University, Minnesota.
• Spring 2007: Storytelling with Technology hosted by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Hollywood, Florida
• Fall 2006: Storytelling with Technology hosted by the Cherokee Nation, Tahlequah, Oklahoma
• Spring 2006: Storytelling with Technology hosted by the Oneida Nation, Oneida, Wisconsin
• Fall 2005: Storytelling with Technology hosted by the Pojoaque Pueblo, Pojoaque, New Mexico
• Spring 2005: Storytelling with Technology hosted by the Pojoaque Pueblo, Pojoaque, New Mexico

The Beginning of the Language Materials Development Center (LMDC)

In 2000 ILI decided to bridge modern technology and language needs, based on several observations. ILI found that teachers were creating language materials for their classes from scratch. The diacritical marks were placed by hand after word processing, images were hand-drawn, and some relied on others to create materials. As computer and multimedia technology was becoming more affordable and accessible, ILI saw how they could offer efficient means for communities to create Native language materials. Knowledge of how to use technology for this purpose assists:

1. Teachers in language classes
2. Parents and families to have language materials in the homes
3. Elders to be documented to share language and history
4. Young people to access their languages in today’s context.

ILI launched the Language Materials Development Center (LMDC) in 2001 with a start-up grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The Technical Advisory Committee created the LMDC project plan. IBM Corporation, through a 7-year partnership commitment (2002–2008), contributed funding and computer equipment to build the technology lab as well as support several regional workshops. The Administration for Native Americans federal grant (2005–2008) enabled the LMDC to become staffed and fully operational. As of 2009, because of the expanded services offered at the center, we have changed the name of the LMDC to the Technology Learning Center (TLC).