Shaping Indigenous Futures
Lakota AI Code Camp introduces students to emerging technologies through the lens of language and tradition, showing that a future in tech can also be a path of reclamation and belonging. More than learning how to code, students learn to see technology as a living tool for cultural connection and creative expression.
During the camp, we prepare students for higher education and connect them with professional networks who show pathways into the tech industry, so they can confidently step into academic and professional spaces. We recognize the importance of nurturing curiosity, confidence, and purpose for students to become future Indigenous AI/ML researchers and industry professionals who uplift their communities.
LAICC AT A GLANCE
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LAICC aims to inspire students to pursue pathways into higher education and careers in advanced technology fields.
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LAICC is a three-week long summer program for high school students where they gain hands-on experience developing personalized mobile apps using industry standard software engineering practices, computer science, deep learning, and extended reality incorporating Indigenous knowledge and methods.
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By inspiring the students to pursue their future in advanced technology and connecting them with professional networks, the LAICC fulfills the Strategic Focus Areas of Higher Education and Career Readiness while also laying the foundations for all three aspects of Workforce Development: Early Career Exposure, Diverse Pathways to Employment, and Bridging Transitions between Higher Education and Careers.
Laying the foundations for Academic Success the LAICC provides future Indigenous AI researchers, practitioners, and professionals with a community of Indigenous peers, mentors, and technical experts to support and uplift them as they continue learning and developing their programming and AI skills after the camp.
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IndigiGenius also launched the T3PD (Teach the Teacher Professional Development) Program to increase the number of Indigenous educators for these summer camps as well as teaching STEM in the classroom throughout the school year.
HOW WE GOT STARTED
The Lakota AI Code Camp began in 2022 when the a group of people collaborated to plan and implement a vision for inspiring Native students to pursue pathways into higher education and careers in advanced technology fields.
With support from our partner, the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, we were successful in graduating every student that attended the inaugural camp and inspiring them to continue their learning and pursuit of computer science opportunities.
After camp concluded the team recognized the success of the Lakota AI Code Camp and set off on an adventure to sustain the momentum they created and founded their 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, IndigiGenius.
In 2023, students from our 2022 cohort returned to the camp in 2023 with the goal of building on their previous experience and to help inspire new students coming to the camp. We were able to hire interns to learn the curriculum and assist with instructing. Our growth in one year speaks volumes!
