Sep 19 2008
Indigenously Connected
Indigenously Connected is a Blog which will post links, research articles, and information, communication, technology resources that integrates technology while supporting Aboriginal learners and their communities.
First Nations Technology
Council
In 2002 the First Nations Summit Chiefs created the First Nations Technology Council (FNTC) which was given the mandate to develop a “First Nations Technology Plan for First Nations in British Columbia which will address technology issues” (First Nations Technology Council, 2002).
The FNTC website offers many resources for First Nations communities that are trying to develop a community technology plan but perhaps are unsure of where to start e.g., understanding connectivity, technical support and youth and community links to name a few resources. From a research perspective the FNTC site provides a solid foundation as well as supportive evidence regarding the success of integrating technology into First Nations communities.
For example, a useful jumping off point for understanding the daunting task of connecting First Nations communities in British Columbia is to look at the First Nations Connectivity Map. With a quick glance one can see that many communities are without adequate internet connectivity or none all together.
Indigenous Portal
Indigenous Portal is an online venue where Aboriginal peoples can share their similar worldviews, culture, and ambitions for the future. From this website readers can access information specific to a region as well as narrow the scope of their search through the wide range of topics provided: culture, environment, education, economic development, entertainment, indigenous knowledge, health, politics, and technology.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfY4Uh8YVzs[/youtube]
Issues and successes facing Aboriginal people on a global scale are presented by Indigenous Portal through multimedia formats including video and audio. I believe this site offers a wealth of knowledge for both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginals who are looking to become more aware of the issues/concerns facing Aboriginal populations and make connections with these communities.
A Journey Into
Time Immemorial
A Journey Into Time Immemorial “is an artistic and cultural interpretation” of traditional Sto:lo First Nations whose traditional territory spanned the Fraser River (A Journey Into Time Immemorial, 2008). Simon Fraser University’s Archaeology and Ethnology departments collaborated with Sto:lo web developers in creating this technologically interactive look into the Sto:lo past. The wealth of traditional Sto:lo practices as well as modern adaptations depicted through audio, video, text, and multimedia formats offer an immense interactive library of knowledge.
A Journey Into Time Immemorial
While the creators of this site point out the fact that its contents are “not meant to convey precisely accurate archaeological information” I believe one should not overlook its ability to encourage and arouse interest in First Nations culture (A Journey Into Time Immemorial, 2008). Once interest on a subject is sparked often one is lead to further investigate the given topic and/or idea which leads to a greater understanding and appreciation. Therefore, I view A Journey Into Time Immemorial as the proverbial stone thrown into a pond website; that is, a site which captures its audiences’ interests and will create ripples of knowledge acquisition pushing visitors toward developing an even deeper understanding of First Nations culture.
The First Nations Languages of British Columbia
The First Nations Languages of British Columbia site is a gateway resource to the over thirty First Nations languages that are spoken by Aboriginal British Columbians. Information on this site is broken into the following sub-headings: Announcements, The First Nations Languages of British Columbia in General, The Individual Languages, Bibliographies, and Information on Related Topics.
Researches can examine information from endangered languages to attempts at language revitalization to related topics such as ethnobiology and First Nations political organizations. The breadth of referenced materials and links from this site will provide any researcher with a solid jumping off point for research relating to First Nations language and culture.
To view a more extensive map of First Nations language distribution and traditional territory please follow this ink: First Peoples\’ Language Map of British Columbia
First Voices
The First Voices website is a site which is dedicated to the preservation and transmission of Aboriginal languages. As noted on their website, over 60 Aboriginal communities are currently archiving their language 35 of which are accessible from the First Voices site (First Voices, 2008).
Through an interactive format visitors can choose a region within Canada and narrow their language search to a specific language group e.g., Mi’Kmaw, Nuu-Chah-Nulth, etc. Each community page opens with an introduction to the chosen culture, first words, language links (e.g., alphabet), an interactive games page, community slide show, and art gallery page. Of note is the attention the architects of this site paid to including resources for pre-school and school aged learners.
As quoted in Cyberspace Smoke Signals by Zimmerman, Zimmerman, and Bruguier “Betsy Buck, a Hodenoshaunee,…comments that some schoolchildren learn to use computers before they learn to read or write” and the use of multimedia fits “well with a learning style more like that based on oral tradition” (Zimmerman, Zimmerman & Bruguier, 2000).