What is the most important technology investment a community can make today?

Short Answer #

Language collection and organization.

Expanded Answer #

Many communities ask what technology they should purchase. In most cases, the better question is: “What language resources should we preserve?” Technology changes quickly. Language resources endure. A recording collected today may remain valuable for decades. A story documented today may support future learners for generations. A transcript created today may contribute to technologies that do not yet exist. Communities that focus first on:

• Collection
• Organization
• Governance
• Preservation

often create the strongest foundation for future innovation. The future of Indigenous language technology begins with language itself. Everything else builds from there.