There are fewer than 12 fluent speakers of Northern Tutchone left in the remote community of Mayo, Yukon – and many of them are elderly.
The First Nation of Na-Cho Nyӓk Dun has turned to technology to help preserve the language.
The project is called Kwän Dék'án' Do, or "to keep the fire burning."
In collaboration with Carleton University and the Office of the Commissioner of Indigenous Languages, the First Nation is using virtual reality games and a holographic display as teaching tools.
They're also building a digital archive of community objects and constructing a digital language model supported by artificial intelligence.
In Mayo's community hall, Carleton University professor Ali Arya stands in front of what looks like a big white box.
'I have goosebumps'
"The main attraction