Motorola and the Lenovo Foundation have unveiled the next phase of their Indigenous Languages Initiative with the launch of the Indigenous Collections app, a new digital platform created in partnership with the Rainy Lake Ojibwe community to preserve the Ojibwe language and the cultural knowledge it carries.
The free Android app, which will be available through the Google Play Store, is designed to support Indigenous language and cultural revitalization by bringing together traditional stories, geographic landmarks, family history, and key vocabulary in a single platform. The app aims to help users understand not only Ojibwe words but also the cultural teachings and meanings embedded within them.
Motorola said the project was developed with a community-centered approach that respects Indigenous cultural protocols. Only knowledge approved for public sharing is included, and family tree information can only be shared by users as an image, helping protect sensitive cultural information.
The launch marks another milestone in Motorola’s Indigenous Languages Initiative, which began in 2021 when the company became the first smartphone manufacturer to fully support Nheengatu, an endangered Indigenous language from the Amazon, within its smartphone user interface. Since then, Motorola has expanded support to include Kaingang, Cherokee, Māori, Kangri, Kuvi, Ladin, and most recently Zapotec through localized interfaces, keyboards, and digital resources.
The initiative aligns with UNESCO’s International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022–2032). Motorola and the Lenovo Foundation say they have worked alongside Indigenous communities and language experts to digitize endangered languages, making smartphone technology more accessible while amplifying Indigenous voices. According to the company, nearly two million words across Indigenous and minority languages have been made openly available to encourage collaboration among researchers, educators, and technology developers.
Preserving a Living Language
Ojibwe is spoken across parts of the United States and Canada by an estimated 50,000 people, with strong communities in Ontario and Manitoba. While it remains central to Ojibwe identity, the language continues to face challenges stemming from globalization and generations of discrimination against Indigenous cultures, contributing to declining intergenerational language transmission.
Motorola said the new app reflects an expanded focus beyond language digitization to include cultural preservation. By documenting stories, traditions, and community knowledge, the company hopes to help future generations connect with their heritage in meaningful ways.
Rather than relying primarily on academic institutions, Motorola worked directly with members of the Rainy Lake Ojibwe community to ensure the project reflected community priorities.
Over the course of a year, Motorola collaborated with Ojibwe language instructor Jason Jones and Dr. Anton Treuer, a professor of Ojibwe at Bemidji State University, along with community elders. Together they recorded, transcribed, and translated traditional stories and personal narratives that now form the foundation of the app.
Motorola says this collaborative process represents an evolution in its Indigenous language work by moving beyond software localization toward community-authored content that captures both language and the cultural narratives embedded within it.
“The app’s focus on preserving and sharing Ojibwe stories is particularly valuable,” said Dr. Treuer. “Storytelling remains one of the most effective ways to transmit language, cultural knowledge, worldview, and community history. The current collection already represents a meaningful archive, and the planned addition of further stories will increase the long-term significance of the project.”
Technology Supporting Language Revitalization
As younger generations increasingly communicate through digital technology, Motorola says ensuring Indigenous languages have a strong digital presence has become increasingly important. By making these languages accessible on mobile devices, the company hopes to increase their visibility and encourage both speakers and non-speakers to engage with Indigenous cultures.
“Empowering Indigenous communities through technology is central to the Lenovo Foundation’s mission,” said Juliana Rebelatto, Motorola Global Director of Globalization. “By supporting initiatives like the Ojibwe App, we’re helping ensure innovation is inclusive, meaningful, and reflective of diverse voices. At Motorola, this commitment continues to evolve as we listen, learn, and build technology that empowers everyone.”
With the introduction of the Indigenous Collections app, Motorola says it is taking another step toward ensuring Indigenous languages are not only preserved, but also remain visible, accessible, and actively used in the digital age.
