Ģֱ contributes to the development of a learning game in the Sámi language – Over 1.5 million euros of funding
The EU Interreg Aurora programme has provided 1.5 million euros of funding for the Lohkanlihkku project, which is being conducted in Finland, Sweden and Norway. The project includes developing a digital learning game to support reading and writing in North, Inari, Skolt, Lule, and South Sámi.
The JYU research team involved in the project comes from the Centre for Applied Language Studies and is led by Professor Ulla Richardson. Other members are Research Coordinator Lea Nieminen and Software Designer Mika Halttunen. The new Lohkanlihkku game for the Sámi languages is based on the Finnish-language Lukukupla learning game developed earlier by the research team. It is intended for 7–10-year-olds to support them in learning to read and write.
The Lohkanlihkku project is led by Professor Pigga Keskitalo from the University of Lapland. Other project partners in addition to the Universities of Jyväskylä and Lapland are the Sámi University of Applied Sciences (Sámi allaskuvla) in Kautokeino, Norway, and the University of Umeå, Sweden. The funding is granted for the period from 1 March 2025 to 28 February 2028, and it includes a country-specific national share. For the Finnish universities, this share is granted by the Regional Council of Lapland. The project will use the granted funding to develop a game that has long been desired by many Sámi representatives.
The project aims to produce a learning game through which Sámi children can practise basic reading and writing skills alongside their school education. The game can also be used by teachers to provide additional support and differentiation, as it adjusts to the player’s skill level and provides personalised training to develop literacy skills in a motivating way.
“The lack of learning materials in Sámi is a constant challenge, to which Lohkanlihkku for its own part can now respond,” says Professor Richardson. “As a digital game, it is easily available wherever mobile devices are used.”
The game is developed in close cooperation with various Sámi representatives. The aim is not only to train reading and writing, but also to integrate different elements of Sámi culture through music, text and graphics. As well as learning to read and write, children can learn to appreciate texts written in their own language, thereby strengthening their cultural and linguistic identity.
In the Lohkanlihkku project, the Ģֱ is responsible for the technical implementation of the game. The Sámi University of Applied Sciences focuses on creating linguistic content, while the University of Umeå is responsible for the music and graphical appearance of the game. The University of Lapland is responsible for designing and implementing pedagogical support. A key part of the project involves piloting the game and conducting a related impact analysis. Once scientific evidence of its effectiveness has been obtained, the game can be published for free access.
