Help Grow the Dakota Language
Are you interested in app development? As part of a strong commitment to preserve and encourage the Dakota language, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community and Hoċokata Ṫi is hosting a hackathon competition to develop Dakota language keyboard apps for iOS (Apple) and Android (Google/Samsung) devices. The winning keyboards will be made available for free in the Apple Store and Google Play Store, helping Dakota speakers and educators at the SMSC and beyond sustain and grow the language.
The competition begins September 1, with submissions due by October 15. Individuals can enter the competition at any point during the contest period. The applications must include the letters specific to the SMSC’s Dakota language. Solutions could include (ranked in order of preference):
1. An application that will make only the SMSC Dakota letters available in the list of alternate characters (press and hold function) of the English keyboard.
2. An application that will add the SMSC Dakota letters to the existing list of alternate characters of the English keyboard.
3. An application that will install a full SMSC Dakota keyboard that combines Dakota and English characters.
The iOS application grand prize winner will receive $700 and developer credit in the Apple Store application description. The Android application grand prize winner will receive $600 and developer credit in the Google Play Store application description. Prizes will be awarded to other top entrants. Apps will be judged for accuracy, ease of use, ease of maintenance, and overall aesthetics. The SMSC will retain the rights to the first-place applications.
Click here for complete information, including the submission form.
