The acronym ‘IM’ stands for “Indigenous Matriarchs”, and the ‘4’ denotes the number of matriarchs who lead the VR/AR lab in collaboration with Emily Carr University: it was founded by Cree/Métis filmmaker and artist Loretta Todd (Sandals, 2019). The lab devotes itself to ‘Indigenizing’ VR/AR/360 technology by enabling integration into linguistic, educational, cultural, artistic, and commercial pursuits; Indigenous artists and media creators are supported within an ‘Indigenized’ tech ecosystem that is governed by respect, reciprocity, and diversity of expression (IM4 Lab, 2020). This epitomizes an ideal ‘linkage’ between Indigenous cultural values and modern technologies, dispelling preconceived notions about modern tech’s alleged ‘incompatibility’ with Indigenous cultures.
Figure 1. In many Indigenous communities, matriarchs are the knowledge holders and cultural leaders. (2020). IM4 Lab. IM4 Lab. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
The IM4 VR/AR Lab conducts workshops on these technologies for Indigenous youth and adults, with all public programs free of charge – including cameras and other necessary equipment provided by the lab (IM4 Lab, 2020). Film and video have been means through which Indigenous people have been colonized, but VR/AR present an opportunity for them to seize the ‘means of production’ through which their stories can be told, and new worlds can be envisioned and created by them (IM4 Lab, 2020). With storytelling being a cornerstone of Indigenous cultures, VR/AR technology can effectively aid in decolonization, empowerment, and even sovereignty efforts across Canada.
References
IM4 Lab. (2020). Immersive Learning & Opportunities for an Indigenized Tech Eco-System. Indigenous Matriarchs 4 – XR Media Lab. https://im4lab.com/
Sandals, L. (2019, August 1). A Vancouver VR Lab Named for Indigenous Matriarchs. Canadianart. https://canadianart.ca/news/a-vr-lab-named-for-indigenous-matriarchs/