Tag Archives: Media

The Ethnos Project/ Resource Database

http://www.ethnosproject.org/

This site contains a a huge database of resources for studying the “intersection of indigeneity and information and communications technologies (ICTs).” The site was made for academic research, government agencies, indigenous groups, cultural organizations and others who are interested in indigenous populations and their interaction with technology.

Within the site you find a multitude of blogs from various contributors and links to video and other media. The site makes excellent use of social media and is very user friendly.

Those interested in topics such as “digital humanities, human computer interaction, Indigenous Knowledge management, culture and development, language preservation, and participatory design” will find the site very useful

Urban Native Magazine

While this may not be a scholarly website, Urban Native Magazine provides readers with a multitude of information. While some of this information may be best left to teenage girls, this magazine celebrates aboriginal culture. Like most magazines, emphasis on fashion and up-and-coming trends are prevalent; however, this magazine provides a cultural temperature on indigenous business opportunities, explores stereotypes and provides commentary on serious and relevant aboriginal issues. A recurring article entitled Rez Girl in the City (written by Anonymous) provides a dialogue of merging the modern world with aboriginal values and the trials which this particular individual experiences as a result. (Module 1 – Post 2)

To view this websites, visit, http://urbannativemag.com/

Indigenous Youth Art

After our readings this week, I went exploring to view more Indigenous art, in particular art created by younger generations. This website provides a glimpse into up-and-coming media art which examines multiple genres (political, sociological and futuristic). Artists featured on this website are creating a dialogue which reflects the voices heard of Canadian indigenous populations. This website provides a introductions about new artists, new productions and upcoming events. ImagineNATIVE also provides links to artist websites and to festival information celebrating indigenous art. (Module 1 – Weblog Post 1)

http://www.imaginenative.org/home/node/2768

Storybases – Distance is not an issue

http://www.storybases.org/

The goal of this site is a global initiative to allow groups that are physically separated to share their own oral history. What I found interesting about this site is that is so simple yet effective. There is a saying that once an elder dies that a library burns down. It just makes sense to put these important aspects of culture into a digital form so that they are preserved and available for future generations. Each story is a connection to the past that should not be lost. This project is gathering stories from Mali, Peru, Canada and Ethiopia and teaches people how to continue taking their own stories. This give the power to the people creating the stories and allows them to be interpreted in the way that they see fit and allow them to become part of global culture. I find this idea to be both a benefit to those wanting to understand these cultures better and empowering to the cultures themselves

Digital Drum – Bringing the Language of Aboriginal Music to the World

http://digitaldrum.ca/

Another site that I found very engaging was http://digitaldrum.ca/. This site opens the world of aboriginal music to the world and allows people to experience native music and share in its importance. Music is one of the keystones of human culture and this site does a great job in presenting the unique and creative way that modern native artists are bringing their story to the world. Music is a powerful force but it needs to be heard. This amazing site ensures that native music has a strong presence on the web and hopefully exposes both natives and non-natives alike to the powerful messages that music carries.

Module 4 Post 2: CFNR Network

Aboriginal media that is created, controlled and operated by Aboriginal people can greatly benefit lanaguage retention and cultural preservation and can play an important role in bridging social and economic divides. As I’ve been working through this course, I have continually come across resources and news events published by the Canada’s First Nation Radio Network (CFNR). It is owned and operated by Northern Native Broadcasting and is a member of the Western Association of Aboriginal Broadcasters. While I haven’t listened to the radio station (not yet available where I live), I have accessed many articles on the the website and appreciate that they continue to cover Aboriginal initiatives throughout not only the province but also the country. Many of the articles also contain audio interviews and links to related resources.

Jaclyn

Resources

CFNR Network. (2015). Canada’s First Nation Radio Network. Retrieved from http://cfnrfm.ca/

WAAB. (2015). Western Association of Aboriginal Broadcasters. Retrieved from http://www.waab.ca/

Module 4: Post #2- Indigenous Involvement in Media

In line with our discussions about the ways that Indigenous communities are using technology, I looked at the involvement of Indigenous Peoples in different media programs. I thought that this article was interesting as it talks about some of the challenges and opportunities faced by Indigenous students in journalism school– http://www.macleans.ca/work/jobs/indigenous-students-meet-challenges-of-journalism-school/. A comment in the article from recent graduate Frank Molley is the following; “Being a journalist, not only are you standing up for the people,” he says, “it is also a form of justice.”

It was also great to hear that a report done by an online magazine (http://www.mediaindigena.com/), counted more than 60 working Indigenous Canadian journalists.

First Nations University of Canada is part of the University of Regina. They have a program called INCA (Indian Communication Arts) which has been running for more than 30 years and have produced many quality journalists.. There are some Indigenous students who transition from this program to the University of Regina’s Journalism Program.

Here is the link to a video documentary produced by students from INCA about the First Nations Summer Games 2013– https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUIQTH66GfE.

References

Avison, Shannon. 2013 FNSG Legacy. Video documentary produced by students from the Indian Communication Arts (INCA) program at First Nations University in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. April 4th, 2015. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUIQTH66GfE.

Troian, Martha. Indigenous Students Meet Challenges of Journalism School: Aboriginals report racism and discomfort but also support. Maclean’s. June 11, 2013. Retrieved from:http://www.macleans.ca/work/jobs/indigenous-students-meet-challenges-of-journalism-school/

Module 4 Post 3 – Online Zines

This may be common online-knowledge for many of my classmates, but for me finding Muskrat Magazine has been an exciting development! It is chock full of current articles and topics related to Indigenous issues, and an active Twitter account that links to their articles.

I also happened upon Urban Native Magazine, which has a slick layout and many interesting features with a pop culture focus. That said, I’m not sure when it was last updated, but their twitter account was used only a month ago and so hopefully they are still active. Through them I was able to find the account of Lisa Charleyboy (@UrbanNativeGirl), who hosts a radio show with the CBC called ‘New Fire‘, with short episodes that range in topics (recently she has been focusing on cultural appropriation). As a fan of pop culture in general, I’m thrilled to have found these two online Zines, and can’t wait to see where my explorations lead me!

Module 3 – Post 4: The Media, Aboriginal People, and Common Sense

The Media, Aboriginal People, and Common Sense by Robert Hardling

Although a little outdated, this is an interesting study published in the Canadian Journal of Native Studies back in 2005 that provides a bit of insight into how the Media can influence public perception. The study examines coverage of Aboriginal issues by the media and asserts that bias and stereotyping are a common underlying theme, particularly in print media. The study suggests that unsympathetic, unsupportive, and indifferent attitudes are cultivated and perpetuated by the media’s portrayal of indigenous matters, and that on the whole, public knowledge and support of indigenous peoples’ challenges are marginal.

Module 3 – Post 1: The Media Gaze

Chapter 13 of The Media Gaze: Representations of Diversities in Canada, by Augie Fleras is entitled Unsilencing Aboriginal Voices: Toward an Indigenous  Media Gaze and takes a critical look at how and why Canadian media frame Indigenous issues the way they do. The text draws on many compelling case studies to explore the negative societal implications of this hidden bias on Indigenous people and their attempts at rectifying past and present issues.