The document discusses research conducted to understand issues around Native American identity and cultural belongingness. It was found that having official tribal membership or growing up on a reservation influences how Native American one's identity is viewed. The problem addressed is how to increase feelings of group membership for those who self-identify as Native American but lack strong tribal affiliation. The proposed solution is an Ojibwe visual dictionary where users can generate and contribute content like word definitions and origin stories to connect with their culture through language learning. Feedback is sought on how well this solution addresses the problem statement and how to motivate contribution to a new system.

1. Am I Native Enough?
Reclaiming the Native American/American Indian
identity through language.

2. Research
➔ Literature review of research papers on HCI and Native American issues
➔ Watched multiple documentaries on Native American culture
➔ Conducted 5 semi-structured interviews
➔ Followed Native American Tribal Facebook pages
➔ Attended Frank Waln (Native American singer and songwriter) workshop and concert
➔ Reviewed social media trends concerning Native American language and topics
➔ Affinity Wall Exercise (while listening to A Tribe Called Red)

3. Research Insights
➔ Official membership with a tribe is complicated.
➔ The definition of what it means to be Native American varies.
◆ It varies within Native American communities and reservations.
◆ It varies within the context of the United States.
➔ There is a lack of community for people who don’t meet the traditional definition
of Native American.
◆ It’s hard to have an “in” if you didn’t grow up on a reservation.

4. Q: Is there a place for people who are culturally lost? Who don’t
fit with mainstream culture, or the reservation culture?
“Not really. If those folks want to make their own place then I
would definitely encourage that, but as far I know, is there like,
any cultural or societal place that currently exists? No. I don’t
think so. I think a lot of people are left out in that respect.”

5. Problem Statement
How do you increase feelings of group membership for
people who self-identify as Native American/American
Indian but do not have a strong tribal affiliation?

6. User Group
Individuals who self-identify as Native American/American Indian but feel like they don’t
know enough about culture and traditions to fully participate and be accepted by others.
➔ Teens and young adults (ages 15-35)
➔ Not fluent in any Native American language
➔ May not live on a Native American reservation or within a tribal community
➔ Students/Young Professionals
➔ Lack Native American role models in daily life
➔ Use social media

7. Design Focus
Provide a system that allows the primary user group to
connect with culture and tradition by redefining what it
means to be Native American/American Indian today.

8. ➔ Ojibwe visual dictionary
comprised of consumer
generated/crowdsourced
content (other languages
to come).

9. User Quote
“...I think that language is sort of one of the cultural markers that
is most important. Even though I’m not personally actively
engaged in that. In my mind, the pursuit of actually trying to be
proficient and or fluent in the language is probably the strongest
indicator.”

10. ➔ Users contribute to
definitions of words
through their already
existing social media.

11. ➔ Users contribute to origin
stories for words/phrases
by passing on the oral
history heard from elders.

12. ➔ Users can browse the dictionary
without an account, and with an
account they can track/manage
their own vocabulary. Accounts will
work with their browser and detect
social media posts that could be
tagged to the dictionary and
suggest they do so.

13. We’d like your feedback...
The Problem Statement & User Group:
➔ How do you respond to our problem statement?
➔ Does our solution address our problem statement?
The Design Solution:
➔ Is it in scope? Is it too broad or complex to understand in the context of this competition?
➔ How can we motivate users to contribute to a new system?
Any recommended next steps? Leads on resources or advisors?
Areas of weakness to address?

14. Thank you.