Where can I find a keyboard for my language?

Please see Find FirstVoices keyboards for your language

There's something wrong with my keyboard - how do I contact you?

You can email us at hello@firstvoices.com about any problems or bugs with your keyboard.

There's no keyboard for my language - can you make one?

Thank you for your interest in the FirstVoices Keyboards! Our answer to this is a bit different depending on if you’re looking for a keyboard for a language that is spoken within BC or outside of BC.

Within BC

If you are looking to make a new keyboard for your language or specific writing system within BC, please see this guide, and send us an email at hello@firstvoices.com.

Outside of BC

While we primarily serve BC First Nations, we are open for collaboration with communities outside of BC. Limited funds do sometimes restrict the amount of support that we are able to provide. As such, customizing keyboards for languages outside of BC is done on a capacity basis - currently, we are at capacity and will not be taking requests for keyboards outside of BC.

Our keyboards come from several sources that may be helpful to you:
Keyman
Language Geek

If you are looking to develop a customized keyboard layout that isn't available on either of those lists, then you can also create your own. We would suggest referencing the developer guides on Keyman Developer, which is software for creating open source keyboards available for desktop and mobile. Our FirstVoices Keyboards app is able to host keyboards designed with this software.

Why is there an empty rectangle or diamond with a question mark showing up when I try to type a letter?

Sometimes when typing in your language you will see an empty rectangle (⬚)or a diamond with a question mark in the center (�). This happens when the font you are using does not have the character you are trying to type. If this occurs while writing in a program such as Word or an Email, you can fix this by changing the font you are using. Some popular options that are compatible with Indigenous languages are Arial, Times New Roman, Aboriginal Sans and Aboriginal Serif.

If this occurs anywhere you cannot change the default font, such as a social media website, school website, or a smartwatch, unfortunately you will not be able to type the letter.

Open

The font used on this smart watch is incompatible with several characters, replacing them with � and placing the hachek ( ˇ )in the wrong spot

What fonts work with my keyboard?

Not all fonts are created equal, and unfortunately there are many that still are not compatible with many Indigenous languages. For languages based in British Columbia, we recommend Aboriginal Sans, Aboriginal Serif, and BC Sans. Some popular default options are Arial and Times New Roman.