The Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center is a tribally owned-and-operated, state-of-the-art complex located in Mashantucket, Conn.  Opened on August 11, 1998, it presents the history of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, the histories and cultures of other tribes, and the region’s natural history through a series of innovative presentations — both physically on-site and also virtually online.

Utilizing the latest in exhibit design and technology, the 85,000-square-foot permanent indoor exhibits present four types of interpretation to the visitor: dioramas, text panels, interactive computer programs, and a series of films. Evolving Mashantucket Pequot life is conveyed through dioramas and exhibits, films and videos, interactive programs, archival materials, ethnographic and archaeological collections, and commissioned works of art and traditional crafts by Native artisans.  Seven computer interactives, including more than three hours of original documentary video, have been created. A total of 13 films and video programs are on view throughout the permanent exhibit space in 10 locations. The visually impaired are able to move through the exhibits utilizing an infrared communications system and access audio interpretation, with selected replica artifacts available for all to touch in specially designated areas, including spearheads, fur clothing and tools.

Its online resources I believe compliment the exhibits very well.  In particular, its online audio archives, “Listen Up! Online Audio,” offer some of the interesting, and free, audio content currently available online that is relevant to the scope of its collections — a podcast is a series of audio programs in MP3 format that can be downloaded individually.

Website link:  http://www.pequotmuseum.org/

Global Voices is an fascinating “web community” that is supported by more than 300 bloggers and translators around the world who work together to bring you reports from blogs and citizen media everywhere. This web community emphasizes on voices that are not ordinarily heard in international mainstream media.

By being able to “aggregate, curate, and amplify the global conversation online” this website highlights places and people other media often ignore — and that is often the indigenous peoples hidden from the mainstream colonial mainstream society (and their accompanying media).  This website portal is an example of the web 2.0 technologies afforded to us, which allow literally mllions of people around the world who are blogging, podcasting, and uploading photos, videos, and information across the globe.    Amazingly, this team of volunteer authors and part-time editors are active participants in the blogospheres they write about on Global Voices that work as a virtual community across multiple time zones.

This is an example of citizen journalism.  But more importantly, it is about giving voice to where none is given.

Website link: http://globalvoicesonline.org/

http://www.firstnations.eu/

“We were never conquered and we have never surrendered
the right to govern or be stewards of our traditional territories”

This is an awesome website that is informative, and a good example of communities using technology to get their message out and their voices heard!

http://digital.library.upenn.edu/women/johnson/vancouver/vancouver.html#ch-07
This website has a great collection of First Nations legends about Vancouver. I have not had the chance to read them all yet.  This is another way of preserving our legends and using technology to share those legends. Traditionally it would be an Elder sharing this legends. This legends were recorded in 1906. It brings to mind some of our readings and was this another form of cultural appropriation?

Indian Residential Schools in Canada the painful legacy video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4-TYwFS-P0

This is a very powerful and moving video of stills. It made me think about my Grandparents who both attending residential school. I will let the video speak for itself.

One of the main principles of the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs is that, despite our differences, we will be stronger if we work together. The goal of the UBCIC is to support the work of our people, whether at the community, nation or international level, in our common fight for the recognition of our aboriginal rights and respect for our cultures and societies.  Their goal, the goal of the people, has been to give the aboriginal people of BC a voice strong enough to be heard in every corner of the world.  They continue, to carry out this mission in a number of different ways.

Another major principle behind their organization is the belief that knowledge is power. they are dedicated to information-sharing as well as to the fostering of fundamental and necessary research skills for Indian people in the province.

http://www.ubcic.bc.ca/