Native Canadian Center of Toronto (Facebook)
Module 4: Blog #4
Website: https://www.facebook.com/nativecentre

The Native Canadian Center of Toronto is a cultural center located with the city that provides links as website, on Facebook and Twitter. I will examine the Facebook site, as an example of using a social media site to promote activities, programs for Indigenous Peoples in the Toronto area. One key activity, posted and in the photo section is a fashion show, that showcased tradition apparel, set in the context of modern fashion for everyday use. This was designed and organized by Indigenous communities. The use of Facebook to promote cultural identity directly relates to the widespread use of social media in today’s society. This site represents the control and establishing a Native cultural identity online in the medium used by mainstream internet consumers. Unfortunately, I am not a Facebook users, having only set up my first Facebook account while on enrolled in the MET program. However, it is an excellent place to take control of cultural identity.

The use of Facebook represents a proactive approach to establishing a Indigenous voice online in the context of control the content and promoting cultural identity and awareness. I initially tried to use the Native Center of Toronto website, but decided their Facebook link would be an interesting exploration.  This concept of proactive approach ties directly into my project on the Nisga’a as it supports the proactive approach of controlling the content.  

The links within the Facebook site are broad, covering a variety of social, cultural events, programs and resources for Indigenous Peoples in the Toronto region. I was interested in the iTunes app link  In the announcement section, the news is about “First Story Toronto” an iTunes app. After downloading the app, it is a map resource that links and event, activity territory and interactively provides direction to the event. It was developed in 2013. I am from the Toronto area, as youth some of places are familiar, but I did not relate them to First Nations cultural heritage.If you want to download this app, go to iTunes and search “First Story Toronto”