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ᓀᐦᐃᔭᐤ ᒫᒥᑐᓀᔨᐦᒋᑲᓂᐦᑳᐣ ᐃᑖᑎᓯᐏᐣ

Corbett, Jon Michael Robert

University of British Columbia

This dissertation explores the intersection of Indigenous knowledge and modern computing practices. The author uses a nehiyaw (Plains Cree) perspective to develop innovative software and hardware designs that incorporate Indigenous cultural values and epistemologies. The research begins with an examination of the historical context of computing and establishes a theoretical framework rooted in nehiyaw storytelling and epistemology. It then explores the development of Indigenous-informed software, including a syllabic programming typeface, an integrated development environment, and a nehiyaw-based programming language. The dissertation also explores Indigenous hardware design, focusing on keyboard arrangements for Romanized nehiyawewin as well as the creation of a syllabic keyboard based on the nehiyaw syllabic star chart. Tying together both of these areas of computing – software and hardware, the author proposes an Indigenous computing framework that aims to bridge the gap between Indigenous culture and modern digital practices. This framework opens up new avenues for research and offers a unique perspective on the future of computing. The dissertation concludes by summarizing the key findings, discussing the implications of the research, and outlining potential future directions.

Text

2025-04-24

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/90774

Interdisciplinary Studies

University of British Columbia

UBCO

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/