Tag Archives: Cowichan Tribes

Module 3 – Post 2 – First Nations Students Need Broadband Internet by Kevin Andrews

In a 2009 article by Stephen Hui, Denise Williams of the Cowichan Tribes discusses the First Nations Education Steering Committee and the need for broadband. In the article, she states that “It’s the infrastructure that’s going to strengthen the entire social fabric of the community,” and in many respects, it can help broaden opportunities on the often remote and isolated reserves.

While all First Nations schools have some level of Internet access—mostly supported by the federally funded First Nations SchoolNet program—their connections range from dial-up and satellite to cable and digital subscriber lines. In the eyes of Williams, many of the schools the Internet isn’t built into the curriculum providing a disadvantage to many students. Later that year, the provincial government has invested $30.8 million in First Nations connectivity and digital-literacy programs providing much-needed broadband to many schools.  Williams states Their scope of what’s possible is limited to where they are,” Williams stated that. “What technology can do in a school with the Internet is open the whole world.”

 

 

My Research Findings – 1

What is the purpose of aboriginal education and technology? As all of us are researching and find documentation to support any ideas or theories that we are bringing forward, it is quite difficult filtering based on our needs due to the broad nature of our topic.

 

The following link is in UBC library about Bretts’ dissertation regarding his recommendations of Cowichan education. Cowichan tribes has over 4,800 registered members as is one of the largest sing First Nation Band in British Columbia. From Bretts statistics, 16,000 young people drop out of highschool yearly in B.C. He is using a lot of various resources and statistics to help gain some understanding of what the need is for education among the Cowichan people in School District 79. I found it very interesting as it brings some recommendations for education and possible use of technology.

http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.library.ubc.ca/docview/304669575?accountid=14656

1. Betts DP. Continuing education in the cowichan valley. [Order No. MQ49161]. Royal Roads University (Canada); 2000.

This article online discusses some of the problems that Natives face living on the reservation. The article discusses Mike McKenzie and essentially colonialism. Statistics are provided to supplement some of the major issues around reservations. It touches a little around the educational aspects and the presented (or rejected) solutions to bringing education in reservations. I’m sure many British Columbia teachers and educators could agree with some of the financial issues surrounding educational funding. It may not be a direct impact to technology or the influence technology has upon First nations, but it would bring a necessity to having a new form of cheaper education that could prove successful with limited resources.

http://www.macleans.ca/news/canada/why-fixing-first-nations-education-remains-so-far-out-of-reach/

This article may have been found by my previous classmates, but I find it relevant to module 1. This article discusses in direct relation to media, aboriginals, and the possible impact it has.

https://www.culturalsurvival.org/publications/cultural-survival-quarterly/canada/missing-where-are-first-nations-national-media

I like this very simple article because it is showing some other places and positive effects that educational technology is bringing among Indigeous people.

http://fortsevern.firstnation.ca/node/144

I really enjoyed this last page, as it brings forward a lot of module 1 readings. Either supporting or denying some of the ideas brought out from our week 1 and 2 readings.

http://apr.thompsonbooks.com/vols/APR_Vol_6Ch8.pdf

 

I hope these help people!