Module #3 – Post #4

In an attempt to further define my final assignment, which is so difficult… I have tried to research journals and articles that focus on aboriginal or cultural identity as it is affected or impacted by the introduction of Information Technology. Both Post #4 and #5 address this topic.

Selouani, Sid-Ahmed. & Hmam, Habib. 2007. Social Impact of Broadband Internet: A Case Study in the Shippagan Area, a Rural Zone in Atlantic Canada. Journal of Information, Information Technology and Organizations. Vol. 2 Accessed via:

http://www.informingscience.org/jiito/articles/JIITOv2p079-094Selouani74.pdf

This article seeks to provide evidence of social transformation caused by broadband connectivity within a rural area of Atlantic Canada. What I found so interesting about the outcomes of this article were that there were several examples of new uses and activities that broadband induced, however there was little to no change in attitudes, behavior and relationships.

Positive changes that occurred include increased access to information (newspapers etc), opportunities to shop and make payments online, e-learning, downloads, use of email/webcam to name a few.

Concerns with increased access and incorporation of broadband into everyday life included confidentiality, amount of time spent using technology, and negative materials available to young people to name a few.

On a whole, residents from the rural community concluded that increased access to broadband did not negatively influence the social relations of people in these rural areas.

Module #3 – Post #5

Mignone, Javier. & Henley, Heather. 2009. Impact of Information and Communication Technology on Social Capital in Aboriginal Communities in Canada. Journal of Information, Information Technology, and Communication. Vol. 4 Accessed via:

http://umanitoba.ca/faculties/human_ecology/departments/fss/media/5.pdf

This article looks at Information and Communication Technology (ICT) as it impacts the social capital of First Nations, Inuit and Metis communities. There is a great focus on defining and exploring what exactly social capital is and why it is relevant.

“Social capital characterizes a community based on the degree that its resources are socially invested, that it presents an ethos of trust, norms of reciprocity, collective action, and participation, and that it possesses inclusive, flexible and diverse networks.”  (Mignone & Henley. 2009. pp. 129).

There has been research that suggests that ICT decreases social capital by shifting people’s focus from relationships and community engagement to tech-based entertainment. While other research highlights the increase in social capital that is fostered by ICT in improving communication and social networks between people, specifically those who are separated by great distance.

This article incorporates case studies from different communities across Canada that have Aboriginal owned ICT networks and how they have managed to implement and sustain them, which in itself is interesting.

I wanted to include this article, because I wanted to give everyone the opportunity to consider social capital in terms of the role of ICT in Aboriginal communities, however also wanted you to consider impacts and issues that fall outside of social capital; the concept of social capital seems too simple and does not encompass all interactions, connects and the embeddedness that technology influences.

Module 3 post #5

There are many examples of successful Aboriginal Entrepreneurs and the link below will take you to a news release titled: Minister Duncan Announces Support for Online Training for Aboriginal Entrepreneurs.

http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.library.ubc.ca/docview/857937606

The news release mentions how increasing Aboriginal entrepreneurship is a key goal of the Government’s Federal Framework for Aboriginal Economic Development. The article discusses how close to $250,000 was invested by Indian and Northern Affairs Canada to the GoForth Institute to “help the organization modify its successful online entrepreneurial education program to make it relevant to an Aboriginal audience.” GoForth is now providing online small business and entrepreneurship training to over 35,000 Aboriginal business students.

Regards,

Greg Campbell

Module 3 Post # 4

When looking at employment and training opportunities for remote First Nation communities which would allow adults to stay in their communities and earn excellent wages I came across this Vancouver Sun article titled:   B.C. miners, First Nations learn to get along Sharing the land and wealth is possible when both sides work to understand each other’s concerns and desires

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/miners+First+Nations+learn+along/8262989/story.html#ixzz2WgLbzb1s

The article discuses how the mining industry is the largest employer of indigenous people in Canada. One example provided is New Afton mine, which is located outside of Kamloops where 20% of the workforce is Aboriginal and earnings roughly $85,000.

In addition to their New Afton project the article discusses how New Gold is developing their Blackwater Gold  property on B.C.’s Nechako Plateau. The president Bob Gallagher is quoted stating:

“Our biggest concern about building a mine up in north-central B.C. is ‘Where are we going to get the skilled people?’ and the First Nation’ biggest concern is ‘Where are our people going to work?’ So it’s a natural. Start early, work hard at it and get people trained up,” Gallagher said.

Looks like there are lots of similar opportunities to this as many First Nation Communities are located in resource rich parts of the province.

Cheers,

Greg Campbell

Module 3 Post #3

I came across this website titled First Nations in British Columbia http://fnbc.info/our-cultures . There is a wealth of information on the website from:

–          Our People

–          Our Culture

–          Leadership & Governance

–          Economic Development

–          Natural Resources

–          Community and Development

–          Spot light on Community

From this site I found a link to an article written by the Globe http://fnbc.info/how-b-school-helping-aboriginal-startups that discusses how first nation communities in BC are positioned to participate in the mineral and exploration boom. The below quote from Lewington (2013) outlines this opportunity.

“a stunning list of economic development projects worth more than $60-billion are on the books in northwestern British Columbia, a region that covers about one-third of the province. The region is also home to more than 20 First Nation communities, potential allies with industry and government that lies ahead.”

Regards,

Greg Campbell

Module #3 – Post #3

Resource: First Nations House Magazine, University of Toronto. (http://www.fnhmagazine.com/issue3/preserving.html)

There are resources available on the main page of the First Nations House Magazine, however I linked to the Elders Program.  Entitled, Preserving: for the sake of handing down, written by Giles Benaway, he describes the role of the Elders Program in establishing meaningful relationships and connections with Aboriginal elders who “represent a living memory of who we are…”

In reflecting on Western society, or modern day society and how we perceive the role of Elders in our community, they are often associated to symbols or representations of weakness, fragility, old-fashioned and of little value within contemporary times. Often, they are unable to participate in the workforce and the economy and therefore are seen to be of little value.

After watching Alluriarnaq: Stepping Forward, it became very apparent how vital elders are in shaping and cultivating their culture within the community. In addition, providing a sense of context and identify for youth who are so lost terms of understanding their culture and place in the world (torn between modern, urban and traditional, land-based).

I wanted to provide this resource for the weblog, because I thought that this program description was very explicit in outlining their objective but also in recognizing increasing populations of Aboriginal people finding themselves in urban settings where their culture and identity is easily lost or forgotten. This kind of program brings context and value to Aboriginal peoples no matter where they live, it does not forget those people who have had to, or wanted to move outside of their home communities.