Tag Archives: technology

M4, E3: Indigenous relationship with the buffalo

Module 4: Ecological Issues in Indigenous Education and Technology

Entry 3: Indigenous relationship with the buffalo

I was lucky enough to be in the car when this replay of CBC Radio’s Ideas: The Buffalo was playing. This 3-part radio series originally aired in 2020 and tells the story of the Indigenous people’s relationship with the buffalo. The part that piqued my interest was the discussion of the buffalo hunt and the technology used by the Indigenous people to control buffalo herds. We talk about technology in this class, but I really liked the perspective on how living in close connection with the land and observing the world allowed communities to meet their needs without what we consider “technology”. In addition, hearing a variety of people tell their stories is a very grounding experience. I have only listened to part one, but I am finishing it up this week.

CBC Radio. (2020). Ideas: The buffalo. [Audio]. https://www.cbc.ca/radio/ideas/radio-series-explores-revered-relationship-between-indigenous-peoples-and-the-buffalo-1.5735457

MODULE 3 – ENTRY 2: HAVING MENTORS IN YOUR LIFE, CAN MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE

I just wanted to show with this blog, a change for the better through education, culture and technology, and having mentors like Nelson Bird and Cree Agecoutay, who also had mentors like their mom, grandmother and teachers, all help pave the way for the next generations to come.

This site, celebrates Creeson Agecoutay, a news anchor on CTV, who was raised by a single mother on Cowessess First Nations. Creeson Agecoutay has attained his goal of working in journalism at CTV. This particular individual exemplifies how positive role models and providing a strong educational foundation can lead you to any goal and path you want to take. “Education was a big thing in our home. That was the rule. If you’re in Mom or Grandma’s house, you have to go to school every day. So after we got home from school, our time together would be at the dinner table while CTV News was on.” This quote by Creeson ties in culture, family, generations, education, tradition, and technology and reminded me so much of how my mom spoke to her students when she was teaching.

Nelson Bird, left, and Creeson Agecoutay are shown on the Indigenous Circle set.
PHOTO BY PHOTO COURTESY NELSON BIRD

Ironically, I researched a little further to see that Creeson began his television journey on another show called “Indigenous Circle,” which gives a weekly in-depth look at news and issues facing the First Nation and Metis population of Saskatchewan, and it is hosted by award winning journalist Nelson Bird, who happens to be one of Creesons lifelong mentors. He was born on the Peepeekisis First Nation and graduated from the University of Regina / First Nations University with a degree in Journalism and Indigenous Studies. He started in 1995 as a video journalist, became a producer, and then anchor person. His job allows him to tell the stories of Aboriginal people from across Canada and beyond. Another part of his work, which he loves, is to train young aboriginal people and encourage them to be the best they can. He conducts motivational speeches at schools and universities.

Nelson Bird’s Mission Statement:

Our mission is to foster, in a holistic way, greater understanding between Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal people as to traditional values,

current issues and future directions of First Nations and Metis communities.

Reference:

Bell Media. (2021). Indigenous Circle on CTV News Regina. [Site]. Retrieved June 16, 2021, from https://regina.ctvnews.ca/more/indigenous-circle

Vanstone, R. (August 6, 2020). Creeson Agecoutay savours his ‘dream job’ with CTV. [Site]. Retrieved June 16, 2021, from https://leaderpost.com/news/local-news/creeson-agecoutay-savours-his-dream-job-with-ctv

ArcGIS StoryMaps

MODULE 2: ENTRY 2

I was introduced to ArcGIS StoryMap in ETEC 510 as part of our curriculum guide and found it has a ton of potential for classroom use. I have never created one myself so I have been exploring different tutorials available in preparation for creating my project with the program. The following blog gives a great outline of how to plan out your Storymap.

Reference

Wilbur, Hannah. (2019, June 16). Planning and outlining your story map: How to set yourself up for success. ArcGIS blog. https://www.esri.com/arcgis-blog/products/arcgis-storymaps/sharing-collaboration/planning-and-outlining-your-story-map-how-to-set-yourself-up-for-success/

M1 P5: Transformation Mask – Mixed Reality and Indigenous Culture

When researching about mixed reality and Indigenous culture, I came across this cool video about how a Heiltsuk artist named Shawn Hunt worked with Microsoft Vancouver to create a transformation mask equipped with Microsoft’s HoloLens. Transformation masks were traditionally used during ceremonies and demonstrated the transformation of usually an animal into a spiritual being. Using 3D print technology and the HoloLens, he designed a technological transformation mask where the wearer/viewer is the one who is transforming.

This is well beyond the scope of a classroom but it brings up the potential for educators to blend technology with Indigenous culture. In the video, Shawn Hunt talks about how it is difficult for Indigenous cultures to compete against television and other forms of media so instead, he tries to encompass technology to help tell their stories. I think this mix of tradition with technology is the way to go to help our youth today connect with Indigenous culture and the invaluable lessons/traditions they are trying to pass down.

Background information about transformation masks:

https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-art-history/indigenous-americas-apah/north-america-apah/a/transformation-masks

https://www.straight.com/arts/1002996/mixing-virtual-reality-robotics-and-indigenous-art-shawn-hunts-transformation-mask-view

An Indigenous Artist’s Futuristic Vision of Traditional Transformation Masks

Using technology to save language

Module 1 – Entry 3

Using technology to save languages

There are many Indigenous languages that are at risk of going extinct. The arrival of the Internet has made it possible to document and save some of these languages from going extinct. In her essay, “An Example of Excellence – Chickasaw Language Revitalization through Technology” Traci Morris (2017) talks about how technology is playing an important role in saving the Chickasaw language. She brings up some interesting ideas about how “technology holds great promise in stabilizing tribal languages, which are in danger of extinction, allowing connections between remote peoples and between young and old.” She draws attention to young people’s desire to be connected using technology that can be leveraged to save traditional languages. Connecting people using social media such as Facebook can provide opportunities to connect people that can speak the language and people that want to learn the language. Furthermore, she has found “the number of Tribal language apps in the iTunes and Android stores is constantly growing.” Morris does acknowledge that technology cannot replace in-person learning.

Therefore, this essay by Morris is a good example of how technology can save a culture through language preservation before it is lost forever.

Reference

Morris, T. L. (2017). An Example of Excellence: Chickasaw Language Revitalization through Technology. In Indigenous people and mobile technologies (pp. 293–304). essay, Routledge.

The Impact of Digital Technology on Indigenous Peoples

Module 1 – Entry 2

While looking for ways that technology is being used by Indigenous communities, I came across this website called, “The Ethnos Project” that hosts information including research about how Indigeneity and information and communication technologies are being used by Indigenous peoples.

Mark Oppeneer takes an excerpt from a book, a chapter titled, “The Impact of Digital Technology on Indigenous Peoples” by Robert Hershey because it articulates how Indigenous people are utilizing technologies to preserve and promote Indigenous culture. This website will provide useful insights into the questions being proposed on the ETEC 521 discussion boards.

Here is a taste of what you will find:

“The current era has been termed the “age of information,” and this term generally carries a positive connotation. In Native societies, however, a dichotomy exists between those who embrace the Internet as a tool to protect, maintain, and promote cultural diversity and those who believe that the Internet serves only to endorse capitalist ideals and sanction products of the modern industrial society.[13] This dichotomy provokes the question, is the Internet friend or foe of Indigenous peoples?”

I believe this website will provide useful information to anyone looking to investigate the impacts of technology on Indigenous peoples. As an added bonus, the website provides a substantial list of links to other websites that deal with Indigenous culture and the Internet.

Reference

Hershey, R. (2011, August 11). The Impact of Digital Technology on Indigenous Peoples. EcoLiterateLaw. http://www.ecoliteratelaw.com/09_DigitizationIndig.cfm?sect=text.

Oppenneer, M. (2011, August 11). The Impact of Digital Technology on Indigenous Peoples. The Ethnos Project. https://www.ethnosproject.org/the-impact-of-digital-technology-on-indigenous-peoples/

M1, Entry 1: Storytelling through music: Indomitable

Module 1: The Global and the Local in Indigenous Knowledge

Entry 1: Storytelling through music: Indomitable

Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTJvpfkRRdA

DJ Shub’s award winning music video combines images, symbols, movement and sound to communicate the contrast between a world constructed by western culture and one rooted in Indigenous culture as seen through spatial, social, spirituality, and experiential dimensions.

The significance of this particular artifact connects to the theme of this Module. This work of art depicts the western world as dark and unwelcoming. The main character in this story is alone in a crowd, working as an individual, and rushing through a concrete landscape. As the story changes, he leaves this space of individuality and consumerism and travels into a more natural landscape. Meeting and greeting friends and family members and participating in his traditional culture through dance, he transforms into a vibrant, connected member of a larger community.

The art of storytelling is reinforced with the use of technology in this instance. I appreciate that the content creators are members of the Indigenous community, highlighting an example of how technology can be used to build knowledge of their culture on a global scale.

The music in this video features the Northern Cree Singer’s song “Young and Free”. While the title of the video is Indomitable. I hope that everyone who sees this post watches the video to see the resilience and unconquerable nature depicted in this story.

DJ Shub. (2016). Indomitable ft. Northern Cree Singers (Official Video) [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTJvpfkRRdA

Promoting Language by Offering Indigenous Language Degree

Module 1 – Entry 1

UBCO Indigenous Language Degree – Global News Video Coverage

I found this Global news story while looking for ways that indigenous languages are being preserved. Jeanette Armstrong is a professor at UBCO offering a new degree program that focuses on indigenous language preservation. Since UBCO is located in the Okanagan, there is a focus on the traditions, cultures, and languages of the Okanagan people. I think this is a great example of how to utilize place (Okanagan) to promote the preservation of a culture that was at risk of being lost. This short video clip is a great starting point to launch an investigation into the Okanagan people.

Squamish Language – How-to Videos

Located on the same Global news page is an interesting story about Aaron Williams, a Squamish language project specialist that was hired to create bilingual signs that displayed both English and Squamish language on road sign leading up to the 2010 Olympics. What I find interesting about the story is how technology (YouTube) is being used to create public interest in a language that not many people know how to use. The Squamish language is seen on public highways and now Arron is using YouTube to create how-to videos to help people pronounce what they are seeing on the signs. I think this a great example of how indigenous languages can be saved using technology.

Recognizing Indigenous influences on a Sea to Sky Corridor Adventure - SLCC Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre

I found both of these articles interesting because I am interested in looking at how technology can be used in a culturally respectful manner that will benefit the maximum number of stakeholders. Using examples such as these two stories could help me discover new ways of incorporating technology in my own classroom and be culturally sensitive.

Reference

Little, S, & Aylesworth, L. (2021, April 30). Squamish First Nation member creates ‘how-to’ videos on pronouncing Indigenous names. Global News. https://globalnews.ca/news/7825465/squamish-language-signs/