myON translates digital texts into the native language of the Muskogee (Creek) Nation
A unique partnership between the Muskogee (Creek) Nation and myON not only fosters English language literacy among students in this American Indian tribe, but also seeks to preserve the tribe’s history, culture, and language among its younger generation through reading digital texts.
Through the partnership, myON—a digital reading service with thousands of titles from more than 50 publishers—is translating more than 20 titles into the Creek language. The company also is adding a number of the tribe’s own stories to its myON platform. Each of these books will be read by an elder from the tribe, so students will hear the Creek language spoken by one of their own.
In a recent interview, First Lady Frances Tiger discussed Muskogee (Creek) Nation’s partnership with myON and what it means for the tribe’s legacy.
What are your thoughts on literacy and reading in general, and how do feel your partnership with myON will support your tribe’s mission in supporting its students?
I believe that basic literacy is the foundation of education and that strengthening the literacy skills of our children will transform the future of the entire nation. In building our students’ literacy skills, we strengthen our people and build a workforce that will represent the Muscogee (Creek) Nation in Indian Country and the United States.
Our partnership with myON supports our mission because myON allows us to teach our children both literacy and cultural and historical awareness at the same time. Because myON publishes titles in the ancestral Creek language, we are encouraging our students to read to learn while also teaching them that their ancestry and language is a vital and vibrant addition to their education and future.
Preserving the Muscogee culture, way of life, and language are paramount to you. Can you share a little insight into how this partnership will support your mission in doing so?
Our primary goal is to provide all of our children and students with access to incredible content to engage them in reading. Not only does myON provide that content—and unlimited access to that content—but they are helping us to generate interest for our students in reading by providing titles in our native language. myON’s willingness to translate titles into our native language shows us that they support the future success of the children of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation as well as our vision for citizens. Building a love of literacy and a love of their own history is the best possible outcome of this partnership.
Your learners are spread all over the world. How important was it to find a platform that can reach them all effectively?
It was important to find a platform that can reach all of the students in programs supported by the Nation, as well as those outside of the Nation. Our students now have thousands of titles at their fingertips, no matter where they are. I could not have imagined a better way to provide them with all the tools they will need to succeed in literacy. They will be able to explore the myON library and choose areas of interest within their levels [of ability] to make sure they have a successful and enjoyable reading experience.
Can you provide some insight in to what led you to partner with myON and what this partnership will look like moving forward?
We found in myON a deeper understanding of our unique needs. Their platform provides the content and access that we required, and their willingness to help us build a unique campaign to interest our children in reading showed us that they shared the same goals and values as the Muscogee (Creek) Nation.
Moving forward, I believe that this partnership will expand as our interests in literacy education evolve. As we gain a more detailed understanding of our children’s educational needs, we will work with myON to continue to develop personalized literacy solutions that match Muscogee (Creek) Nation goals and values.
How were the stories offered on myON that have been translated in to the Muscogee Creek language chosen? And the elders who read them?
The titles on myON that have been translated into our native language were chosen in partnership with the myON team. It is a very special thing that our children can log into myON and hear their elders reading stories in their [native] language. We hope that this inspires our children to read and keep their history alive through story telling.
By recording diverse books from myON, our elders provide current and future generations of our students with an invaluable gift: the gift of language, the gift of a shared history … gifts that grow infinitely together. We look forward to continuing to add translated titles to the myON platform.
What is your vision for the future of education in general for your people? And what role do you see technology playing in that future?
My vision for the future of education for the Muscogee (Creek) Nation peoples is that our students seek out further education and work to become culturally relevant to the 21st-century workforce. I see basic literacy as the foundation of an education that will prepare them for professional success across the country. Technology is an invaluable component to this success. The Muscogee (Creek) Nation children need to be skilled in technology. myON provides an incredible library to our students to build their literacy education while simultaneously providing them daily practice in technological skills and awareness.
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