Throughout Module 1, we have read about how technology is situated in Eurocentric gaze that removes identity and placeness as important (Bowers, 2000). A few of the Indigenous Tik Tok Users I have shared here, tell their stories from their place and their identity, while also sharing culture through their accounts. Utilizing technology to reach youths that they feel may be confused and lost about their identity, and for social advocacy, they hope to utilize Tik Tok to engage with their culture, maintain and spread knowledge (Cole, 2021).

Brett Mooswa

@brettstoise

Michelle Chubb

@indigenous_baddie

Sherry McKay

@sherry.mckay

Reference:

Bowers, CA. (2000). Cyberspace and Everyday Life. from, Let Them Eat Data: How Computers Affect Education, Cultural Diversity, and the Prospects of Ecological Sustainability. Athens: University of Georgia Press.

Cole, K. (2021, October 1). How Indigenous creators are nurturing a space on TikTok to educate and entertain [PBS News Hour]. Retrieved from https://www.pbs.org/newshour/arts/how-indigenous-creators-are-nurturing-a-space-on-tiktok-to-educate-and-entertain

In line with Module 1, particularly where Bowers, Vasquez and Roaf (2000) describes how technology cannot replace face-to-face interactions or storytelling, it is important while utilizing technology to bring to the attention of students the limitations of technology in expressing the context and identities or still silence Indigenous ways of knowing, I found myself struggling as I do understand that we cannot ignore Indigenous knowledge nor the mainstream or modernized progress. Thus, I found this resource which attempts to use a mixed method. That of an Indigenous perspective mixed with Western science. They also utilize technology such as Digital Storytelling, Virtual Reality and presentation modules to inform visitors to the site about their research in water insecurity for Indigenous groups in Alberta, as well as tell stories about water.

https://www.ohneganos.com/

I’m interested in doing more research on the trades and the construction industry with respect to Indigenous Peoples.

I’ve started looking and found the following website that has a number of articles and information related to Indigenous Peoples in the Trades.  I’m also creating a course at work about indigenous awareness in the workplace from a construction lens.  So most of my websites will be geared towards that topic.

M1 P1 Resource 1:

Buildingtrades.ca

This has a number of resources pertaining to indigenous literacy and how to include diversity especially indigenous culture into a predominantly Eurocentric workforce.

M1 P2 Resource 2:

https://indigenousworks.ca/en

A non-profit company that aims to teach corporations about workplace inclusion and indigenous inclusion strategies in the Canadian corporations

M1 P3 Resource 3:

I found this resource regarding education system and how to decolonize education.  From their website they talk about “This unique online education series is geared toward university instructors with the goal to increase their understanding of the colonial roots of the academy, the movement to transform universities to be more inclusive of Indigenous peoples and inspire them to move their toward decolonizing their pedagogies.”

https://teaching.uwo.ca/teaching/indigenous-tl-resources.html

M1 P4 Resource 4:

A website dedicated to offering indigenous training to individuals and companies across Canada.  They have a number of resources that are relevant and important.

Indigenous Awareness Training Canada

M1 P5 Resource 5:

Not sure if this is an educational resource, but I had the privilege of listening to Norm while working in the ESL industry.  He has such an amazing story and such an in-depth knowledge of what the indigenous community faces.

M1 P6 Resource 6:

A great resource on high level information about indigenous awareness.

Indigenous Awareness 101

Continue reading →

One of the readings in Module 1 is a discussion between a Coyote and a Raven. The following paragraph caught my attention

“an excellent example of this work on the ground is the CAT (Centre for Appropriate Technologies) project with Australian Aboriginal communities in the Alice Springs area of the Northern Territory exploring synergies between Indigenous
technological ecoliteracies and digital technologies to support the communities in their cultural renewal and educational economic and ecological initiatives”

I looked at some of the websites for Appropriate Technology.

The Center for Appropriate Technology– Australia

• established in 1980
• goal: “research, design, develop and teach appropriate technologies and deliver technical training to Indigenous people living in remote communities”

The National Center for Appropriate Technology– USA

• established in 1976
• goal: “providing relevant information, individualized technical assistance and in-depth resources to support sustainable agriculture and accessible energy solutions

David Suzuki Foundation (One Nature.)- Canada

• established in 1990
• goal: “Through evidence-based research, policy analysis, education and citizen empowerment, we conserve and protect the natural environment to create a sustainable Canada. “

Reference

Cole, P., & O’Riley, P. (2012). Coyote and Raven Put the ‘Digital’In Technology—Hands-up and Down to Earth. TCI (Transnational Curriculum Inquiry), 9(2), 18-34.