Indigenous people are isolated by definition, largely due to socio-cultural, economic, political and historical reasons. However, rapid growth and advancement in digital technologies have achieved a level of affordability and ubiquitous access, which have empowered billions of people worldwide by bringing such technologies ever closer to their grasp.

A growing number of aboriginal communities, which now have access to ICTs, are appropriating technology in order to meet their knowledge purposes. However, there still prevails a major economic, social, cultural and technical factor that may influence how ICTs can be effectively utilized as far as meeting the needs of aboriginal people is concerned.

The proposed research will attempt to tackle the state of ICT adoption in Aboriginal communities, with specific reference to Indigenous Canadians. The research will attempt to investigate the following questions:

How do new technologies affect aboriginal Canadian communities?

What challenges do these communities face in adopting ICTs?

Source:

KTA Aboriginal Practice Group. (2005). Aboriginal Culture in the Digital Age: Aboriginal Voice Cultural Working Group Paper. Toronto: KTA – Kaufman, Thomas & Associates.

Ramirez, R., & Richardson, D. (2005). Measuring the impact of telecommunication services on rural and remote communities. Telecommunications Policy.

Scott, T. (2005, June 27-July2). Community Perceptions of Student Multimedia Technology Projects in a Remote First Nations Village. Paper presented at the ED-MEDIA 2005: World Conference on Educational Multimedia, Hypermedia & Telecommunications, Montreal.