The STEAM Connection

My mentee and I were brought out to the @bioneers to learn about the environment, social justice, and Indigenous issues! Chi miigwech to @titletrackmichigan @bioneers and @micleanh2o for making this possible and not just bringing out Holden and I but also his amazing mom, teacher @susanupnorth , and principal

Feeling incredibly thankful. I have just been recognized by the @washingtonpost as a part of the first-ever Post Next 50, a list of people whose work will shape our society. From the creators of HBO’s “Industry” to the governor of Maryland, the list highlights the future. I was recognized for my work in technology and language revitalization robotics. Miigwech (thank you)! Thank you to the amazing visual team who made this happen @djeneba.aduayom @eehugs I am wearing earrings by @indi_city , a choker by @ihootaloowa , jingle chain by @mothtotheflvme , and a jumpsuit by @bigbudpress

Introducing (or reintroducing) you to the SkoBot, a long form video. Language preservation of Indigenous languages is crucial. These robots (called SkoBots) were designed alongside my mentors to go to youth for free and supplement community language learning (never replaces it). This was made to see what the future of Anishinaabe toys could look like entirely by youth. This version is our latest prototype in our children’s voices series that implements an internally created (and brand new) app that can recognize speech and reply in audio files, voiced in placeholder audio clips by Amara (low quality test audio) which will later be replaced by whole phrases with good quality audio once everything is finished being recorded and documented. The goal is for other little kids to be able to see themselves reflected in an Anishinaabe toy. We have several other languages and can expand to others, but are focusing largely on an Anishinaabemowin version in our several dialects. While the robot can recognize being talked to, we do NOT use Al in a way that impacts the Indigenous languages, we never own the audio files, we never sell language tools or robots or give them to people outside of our community. Our ethical tech frameworks took us years to develop. This is a project of @steamconnection . They’re available via a limited trial release for free to tribal language programs and schools who can work with us on improving the robots. They are not currently available to individuals. Our scale has been as slow and sustainable as possible

Holden and I take on the @bioneers conference all thanks to @titletrackmichigan @micleanh2o @bioneers . Chi miigwech to them for their support and investment in the Sault Tribe and our youth ❤️

Sending coloring kits to the first 30 people who show me proof of a donation of any amount to support the Indigenous communities impacted by Typhoon Halong. “Kwigillingok & Kipnuk were deemed unlivable, mandatory evacuations for over 1,000 people. Elders, youth, children, community members. The grief is immeasurable. Climate refugees, from land that our people have lived on for thousands of years.” - @charitieropati How to do it: send me a proof of donation. This could be a Venmo screenshot, an email receipt, Amazon wishlist purchase, or any other proof of donation. Send me your mailing address & receipt through IG DMs and I will confirm. This caption will be updated when I am out of kits. Places to donate (donating to individuals also encouraged, please tag them so I can add them to this caption) -Alaska Community Foundation @akcommunityfoundation alaskacf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/ fund?funit id=14833 -Support organizations like @akheritagecenter who are working to preserve Alaska Native culture and traditions. They also have an Amazon wishlist -an individual family requesting donations @its_mart_hbp21 has been sharing some @, see their page The kits were created by @ogigaanii.ink and I and represent the Seven Grandfather Teachings. We were hopeful to contribute in some small way and to encourage people to donate and to call their representatives to take action and provide aid for the impacted communities Things you can do: Follow @kyukmedia @charitieropati Keep sharing what’s happening in Alaska and bring more eyes to how Indigenous communities are being impacted. There’s a huge lack of mainstream media coverage on this issue! They will be shipped in the beginning of November when I am back in the country. Please allow time for shipping and handling, especially if you are based in Canada. They include high quality coloring sheets, markers/pencils, handmade stickers, and pins all from @steamconnection and promote STEM and language learning for Native youths but can be enjoyed by all. The sheets will also be released online for free in the coming weeks Children featured in video were filmed with permission

Do I sell the SkoBots? Language revitalization robots for my endangered Indigenous language Anishinaabemowin I see all the kind comments inquiring about getting a robot and sadly can’t reply to everyone so l made this video At the core of my work, I don’t believe language learning resources should be sold to youth. That’s why the cost: compensating language keepers, paying my developers, material costs, etc are all things I receive grants to cover (or pay out of my own pocket) so that the resources can be free to our youth. Learn more and see a demo in my pinned video

We are thankful for the platform to be able to share about the importance of AI ethics, how technology is impacting Indigenous communities, and about our work on the SkoBots: language revitalization robots for Anishinaabemowin. Here’s a few articles from this week that our work was featured in! Please note that generally, we do not get to see drafts of the pieces or even offer interviews or comments so they may not be 100% accurate. For any official statements, please reach out to us for comment at [email protected]

If technology is going to affect us, we must have a say in how it’s made. The harm from generative AI is already too great, even distorting our languages. But what if we could design the technologies that impact our communities our way (environmentally sustainable, trained ethically, community built) instead? That’s why I believe it’s vital to equip our community members with the skills and knowledge to fight back, and to build. Not all AI use cases are harmful, and not all have the same environmental impact or even water use. There’s a LOT of misinformation. And that misinformation is harming us. Change means resisting the harms of corporate AI while leaning toward small-scale, locally run, and culturally grounded technologies. Because when we understand tech, we can shape it - on our terms. These are clips of my remarks for the UN’s commemoration of International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, on 8 August 2025. The panel was titled Indigenous Peoples and Al: Defending rights, shaping futures. If you missed the event, you can find the whole panel and my full statements and more information about my work with the SkoBots online

Join me this week. This year the theme of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is “Indigenous Peoples and AI: Defending Rights, Shaping Futures”. I’ll be joining to talk about AI ethics, how big tech is taking advantage of our communities, and what we can do about it and defend our sovereignty. I’ll be joined with others from Indigenous communities around the world. 🗓 Join us online on 8 August 9am EST! Register here: bit.ly/IDWIP2025 #IndigenousPeoplesDay #WeAreIndigenous Image courtesy of the UN

💗🤖 Superhero art by @shaunbeyale

Ahhhh! I’m so thrilled to work alongside other young leaders as an @InsideNatGeo Young Explorer! We’re tackling challenges, seeking solutions, and working together for a better future. This honor will help me further my work developing my SkoBots. Miigwech. #NatGeoExplorer

Reposting one of my favorite videos sharing a few of my amazing Indigenous women and femmes in STEM who I admire so much Please support them and tag your favorite people in STEM! Here are their tags & orgs: 1. @dominiquepablito 2. @dessbarr of @thenativepremed 3. @breeeess 4. @charitieropati creator of @lilnativegirlinstem 5. @teegela.anple creator of @nibiclear 6. @brook_m_thompson who just came out with a book!! This video focuses on a few STEM leaders from the so-called United States, but there are Indigenous STEM leaders all over our world ❤️ this is shortened video, so i apologize for the choppy edits. I flipped the order of everyone from last time so people at the end would get ❤️ too, but it’s in no particular order