If the GoFundMe campaign is successful, this new educational children's show could help save the Diné language.
Diné Bí Ná’ákid Time is the brainchild of educators Dr. Shawna L. Begay and Charmaine Jackson.
“I never learned my Navajo language and I was never inspired to learn it. As I got older, I realized how valuable our language is to the livelihood of our Navajo Nation. ” -Dr. Shawna L. Begay
Our Navajo or Diné language is in danger of becoming extinct. Help us create and develop the first Navajo-English educational media TV puppet show, “Diné Bí Ná’álkid Time” which means ‘The Navajo Movie Time.' It will inspire and teach our youth basic language skills using media as a technology tool. Parents, grandparents, children and grandkids can learn to speak Navajo fluently together within their own homes.
Much like Sesame Street uses puppet characters to teach kids language and social skills, this new television show will help encourage kids to speak in their native tongue. The show features Nanabah-a young Navajo girl, Gáh (Rabbit) and Dlǫ̀ǫ̀ (Prairie Dog) who will go on endless adventures learning about language, gardening, the environment and the importance of family values.
Very cool!
Hopefully, with the help of this crowdfunding campaign, they'll be able to get this show up and running. They've already raised $12,955 out of their $50,000 goal.
If you'd like to learn more about the show, please visit https://www.gofundme.com/saveournavajolanguage.
Jonell Adams
says:Awesome thought. Yes, our language separates us from the rest of the world. Its who we are. It is imperative for all tribes to think and re-think about saving their language. This is a good fun way to start teaching the little ones. I hope you achieve your goal.