Along with digital media production undertaken by professional content developers, Indigenous peoples are using digital tools to create and share user-generated content on a daily basis. For example, one study of Inuit use of YouTube described that platform as “a contemporary and increasingly popular form of storytelling in Inuit communities” (Wachowich, & Scobie, 2010, p.85). Other popular platforms with thriving communities of Indigenous content producers include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok. [ ADD — material on TikTok, etc ]
Project 60
Read about how First Nation Youth Use Social Media to Claim Their Vote. Project 60 was an initiative from Atlantic Canada, utilized social media to support First Nations youth in becoming involved in the voting process. By encouraging young people to create and share short videos about the political process, this initiative used digital media to engage youth.
#IdleNoMore
One social movement that united online and offline activism was the #IdleNoMore initiative. Started by four First Nations women, #IdleNoMore used a variety of social media tools to spread its message. Social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook and YouTube allowed participants to share information, create videos, plan events, and discuss issues with each other. These discussions led to many offline activities, include round dances held across Canada. One interesting event linked to #IdleNoMore was a national video conference in January, 2013, that brought people together to discuss the movement. Watch a recorded video of the live stream of the event.
Social Media
Finally, research associated with the First Nations Innovation project found high levels of social media engagement in remote and rural First Nations in Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada.
Social media is a central element in the KO e-community strategy, which we learn more about in Unit 10. Building on their success with the MyKnet.org social networking website, staff from the First Nations owned and operated technology organization KNET recently developed an online interface for the different KO e-community programs and services. This initiative uses local Facebook e-community groups owned by each KO First Nation to manage and share information.
These social media environments are designed and managed to respect community ownership, awareness and engagement. They enable users to share information, resources and opportunities. The next step in the KO e-community strategy will involve working with the KO First Nations to expand the local membership of the these social media groups. KNET staff will also share updates and information about their work using these online tools.
Digital Divides
Of course, all of these innovative social media applications require access to digital infrastructure. Without accessible, affordable, adequate broadband – and the capacities to use it effectively – these activities may not have been possible. #NWTDigitalDivide is an awareness campaign by DigitalNWT “designed to highlight the unacceptable lack of affordable access to high-speed internet in Northern Canada” by providing an internet speed test and inviting engagement on Facebook or Twitter under the hashtag. This CBC article discusses some of the challenges facing northern internet users and the solutions that telecommunications companies are offering.