Dadavan Systems Launches New Technology Platform to Revitalize Endangered Indigenous Languages and Culture

Cultural Codex enables communities, organizations and individuals to work together to share and preserve their culture

​​​Dadavan Systems, an innovator in data and education software, launched a new technology platform today to preserve and revitalize Indigenous languages and cultures as living cultures. According to recent estimates, over 90% of the world’s 5,000 indigenous languages are currently at risk. As Indigenous people work to strengthen and protect their own cultural identity, the United Nations and governments globally have prioritized support and acknowledged the inherent rights of Indigenous peoples.

Developed as a scalable, virtual museum, Cultural Codex enables anyone – young or old – to participate in the preservation and sharing of Indigenous language and culture. Built on a stunning, interactive, template system, Cultural Codex allows users at all levels to contribute video, text, images and sound recordings with a simple drag and drop. Multi-leveled management features combined with a media library system developed through consultation with Cape Breton University’s Beaton Institute make Cultural Codex a robust tool for larger organizations and initiatives.

Over the years, we have listened to communities share both their challenges and ideas in strengthening and preserving their connection to their culture and language. We're a B Corp certified, software company that is committed to creating a positive impact in communities. Cultural Codex was developed in response to the question 'How can we help?'

Jenny Hill, President, Dadavan Systems

“Over the years, we have listened to communities share both their challenges and ideas in strengthening and preserving their connection to their culture and language,” said Jenny Hill, President, Dadavan Systems. “We’re a B Corp certified, software company that is committed to creating a positive impact in communities. Cultural Codex was developed in response to the question ‘How can we help?’”

Through Dadavan’s collaboration with Indigenous communities, educators, and museums, the need to create easy-to-use tools to organize, collect and share cultural recordings and images across communities was identified. Cultural Codex makes it easy to build galleries that contribute to a shared, searchable repository of cultural knowledge, experience and heritage. No coding or design skills are needed. Published galleries are searchable across communities, making it easy to explore galleries from multiple contributors in any given subject.

“We have worked in partnerships, founded in mutual trust and respect, with Indigenous communities since 2001.” Jenny Hill. “Our approach has always been to simply provide well-designed tools that support communities in the creation and implementation of their own innovative solutions.”

Galleries created within the Cultural Codex beta group include Mi’ kmaw language tutorials, elder teachings, documentation of wigwam construction, showcase of community role models, student projects, art galleries, biographies, archival remixes, and a museum exhibit. Other potential uses for Cultural Codex can include storytelling initiatives, research projects, classroom resources, instructional guides and more.

Flexible membership plans range from free to $199 CDN per month.

To learn more about Cultural Codex, please visit http://culturalcodex.com/

About Dadavan Systems

Headquartered in Nova Scotia on Canada’s east coast, Dadavan Systems builds software to enrich lives through education, culture and heritage. Founded in 1998, Dadavan is best known for its student information system, Outcomes, the system of choice for Indigenous communities across North America. A female-led, B Corp certified ethical company, Dadavan is proudly committed to accountability, positive social impacts and environmental sustainability. For more information, visit dadavan.com.

For more information contact:

Mike Maloney
902-225-4989​
mike.maloney@gotothewell.ca

Source: Dadavan Systems