THE ROOTS OF WHO WE ARE IS IN THE LANGUAGE WE SPEAK

The word ‘hello’ is not just a greeting to us, but represents a unique and diverse world view of a people. We will travel across Turtle Island to capture every tribe’s ‘hello’ through the sharing of Elder stories before this knowledge disappears forever. --Eugene Brave Rock

A Journey Across America

The mission of Oki Language Project is the preservation of languages and culture of Indigenous communities throughout Turtle Island (North America). The Project will compile an audio and video library of Indigenous language greetings and share Elders’ stories about the meaningful act of welcoming another human being. Accessible to all, these stories will honor the original peoples of the lands we occupy and visit today.

From the Pomo in California to the Seminole Tribe of Florida our goal is to document and preserve the greetings and stories of elders within Indigenous communities across North America while paying respectful homage with the proper protocol to the elders and lands we traverse. This journey is undertaken with the dual purpose of safeguarding cultural heritage and acknowledging the territories we visit. (You can follow along by following us on Instagram).

Native languages have been in decline for decades; currently Ethnologue lists 245 Indigenous languages in the United States, with 65 already extinct and 75 near extinction given only a few elder speakers remain. With your help, Oki Language Project will allow Eugene Brave Rock to personally begin this important sojourn to visit with and record 100 elders over a one-year period.

Funds raised will help offset a number of costs involved in undertaking this challenging journey. Much more than just a trip across North America, Eugene’s sojourn to visit with and record 100 tribal elders over the next 12 months will involve significant research and preparation to gather the required permissions from and access to each tribe. At the journey’s end and throughout the process, writings, audio recordings, and video recordings must be carefully transcribed, cataloged, documented, and archived.

Pre-Travel Costs:

Research
Planning
Permissions
Legal/General/Admin

Travel Costs:

Lead vehicle
Travel trailer
Fuel
Insurance
Maintenance
Meals
Lodging
Tribe and Elder gifts
Audio & Video Equipment
Translation
Record-Keeping

Post-Travel Costs:

Cataloging
Transcription
Planning
Preservation
Audio Editing
Video Editing
Archiving
Documenting
Production
General/Admin
Publication

This journey is a testament to our commitment to preserving the rich tapestry of indigenous cultures, languages, and traditions across America. By recording elders' stories, respecting indigenous protocols, and acknowledging the land, we aim to contribute to the preservation and education of indigenous heritage for generations to come.

We thank you for your generosity & support in this effort toward our heart led journey!

Dennis Ziemienski "Dry Creek Bed, Canyon de Chelly"