The Hire Knowledge Project ... Find the right one.

Sunday, June 21st, was National Aboriginal Day in Canada. While many people marked the day with gatherings and cultural activities, elsewhere, the Earth did not stand still. Most in the world of information technology didn't even notice. The big software companies continue to produce programs with support for English and a selection of popular languages, leaving other cultures to hope for support by enthusiastic open source developers or fade into irrelevancy in a digital age.

Now there is a drive to produce a modified version of the standard Ubuntu bootable live CD for the various First Nations, Inuit and other Aboriginal communities across Canada. While there are projects that focus on developing open source software for a particular language group, this effort would aim at a somewhat easier target: an English language version that would appeal to a variety of cultural groups, with the additional goals of encouraging further culture-specific projects and participation of Aboriginal people in technology development.

I propose that the Ubuntu community repackage the English version, focusing our efforts not so much on translation but on culturally appropriate artwork, tutorials, default links and a selection of built in software that fits the non-linguistic requirements of many aboriginal communities. Reguirements like included genealogical software (i.e. GRAMPS), lightweight software packages suited to older hardware, and virtual keyboards for syllabics come to mind, as do appropriate audio/visual samples and links.

While in Fort McMurray last winter, I wanted to get a Cree version of Ubuntu going, under the tentative name of the Keyano project. According to the Keyano College calendar "Keyano is a Cree word that, when roughly translated, means 'sharing'". Elsewhere online, it is translated as "unity" or togetherness, co-operation, etc. While that is still a great idea, for a project that is not focused on a specific language, it makes sense to use a name that carries meaning to a wider audience. For now, I'm using the code name Indigenix, but I'm open to suggestions.

There is a powerful case for targeting Aboriginal communities with free/libre software tailored to their needs. These are fast-growing, youthful populations that will need reliable computer resources. Hardware and financial limitations restrict the ability of many community members to use Mac systems or recent Windows software like Vista. Language immersion programs need software in their language. Many people who are concerned with sovereignty and social equity issues would be sympathetic to free software goals. Above all, the big commercial software providers are NOT DOING IT.

Let's get our paddles in the water.