Posts from — September 2012

Aboriginal Youth Learn about Science and Technology at National Science Camp in Nunavut

The site below is from the Government of Canada Aboriginal Affairs and Northern development of Canada. It tells of the experiences of Aboriginal youth’s involvement in a science and technology camp which the organizers hope will “inspire them to consider science and technology as a career. The aspect I like about this camp is that it “blends western science with Inuit traditional knowledge” giving the youths experiences from both cultures.

Since this is a site for Aboriginal affairs, it has links to other sites which will give information on cultural traditions, communities, the economy, etc.

http://www.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/eng/1312993954643/1312994422679

Digital technology for Indigenous Empowerment

The site below shows one of Ethiopia’s tribal communities, the Morsi, use the camera as an empowerment tool for the people in this indigenous community.

The camera is used to show the world the richness and the struggles of this culture. This a positive attribute of the use of technology.

The site has others links bot of note is the link International Funders for Indigenous People 11^th Conference.

http://www.christensenfund.org/2012/09/05/digital-technology-for-indigenous-empowerment/

The Art of Engaging Indigenous Youth Via Social Media

I especially like the site presented below as it shows and give pointers on how to engage indigenous youths in the use of technology without creating a social divide.

The site also has links to other information relating to indigenous youths.

http://www.youthpolicy.org/health/2012/07/13/the-art-of-engaging-indigenous-youth-via-social-media/

Building Community through Digital Storytelling Program

During my research, I found this site for the Royal Roads University which has a class that uses technology in digital story telling. “Digital Story connects technology and youth to story and Elders through collaborative projects that bridge traditional knowledge with contemporary learning. This unique project provides ideal opportunities for participants to acquire and demonstrate essential skills critical for learning and succeeding in the 21st century”

The site also has links to other programs based on Indigenous relations.

http://www.royalroads.ca/about/aboriginal-relations/building-community-through-digital-storytelling-program

Indigenous Youth Tracking Their Peoples’ Futures

The site below demonstrates how technology is used by the youths in this South American Indigenous community to reclaim ancestral land. “Indigenous youth are now mapping out the future for their people and delineating their past, in part by using GPS technology to document their peoples’ legal cases to reclaim their ancestral lands”
the site also has links to other information on Indigenous communities in South America.

http://www.cwslac.org/indigenous_youth_tracking_their_peoples_futures-L2cX31.html

Indigenous Youths, Technology, and Traditional Culture

This is my first venture in acquiring an in-depth knowledge of indigenous people. I do not have much experience in working with indigenous people; however, as an educator I work with students from different cultural ethnicity. My research therefore will be based on youths and the impact of technology. Given our present globalized world with western ideologies preeminent in our society, I want to know more about indigenous youths, their perspectives on technology, and its impact on their traditional culture; hence my research topic, Indigenous Youths, Technology, and their Traditional Culture.

Technology appears to be very influential in our modern society. This seems to be even more so among our youths, as youths use the internet for games, studying and socialization. Youths also are prone to peer pressure and want to be very much in mode among friends. The emphasis placed on acquiring knowledge on technology is slowly seeping into indigenous communities and the youths are drawn into this ‘new’ development.

While, there can be positivity in using modern technology in maintaining and documenting cultural traditions, the risks of losing the traditional face-to-face communications among indigenous people appears high as indigenous youth are becoming more and more intrigue by technology.

That being said, I would like to explore the impact technology has on indigenous youths and their cultural traditions.

P. Morris