New Digital Literacy Resource: Eetsii tthak t’agwahii getr’ootanahchàh: Digital Content and Connectivity with Dinjii Zhuh Contexts

Posted on August 21, 2019August 21, 2019 by robmcmahon

Aug. 21, 2019 The University of Alberta (Faculty of Extension and School of Library and Information Science) and Gwich’in Tribal Council are proud to share two new digital literacy resources. These free open educational resources (OERs) focus on digital content and connectivity with Dinjii Zhuh (Gwich’in) contexts. They include a student workbook and a facilitator[…]

FMCC Researchers receive Internet Society grant to co-develop digital literacy program with Piikani First Nation

Posted on February 27, 2018February 27, 2018 by robmcmahon

A collaboration between Piikani Youth Empowerment Strategies (Piikani Nation Secondary School and Peigan Board of Education) and the Faculty of Extension at the University of Alberta has received funding from the Internet Society’s Beyond the Net program. The project, titled Exploring digital literacy through the Piikani Cultural and Digital Literacy Camp Program, builds on a[…]

Piikani First Nation and First Mile Researchers Host 3-day Cultural and Digital Literacy Camp

Posted on August 2, 2017September 27, 2017 by robmcmahon

On July 17-20, 2017, Piikani community members and First Mile researchers held a 3-day Piikani Cultural and Digital Literacy Camp focused on the community’s Past, Present and Future. Grade 9 students learned Blackfoot culture while camping on the land. They documented camp activities using digital video cameras, which was an entry point to learn about[…]

First Mile Researchers Host Digital Literacy Workshop with Gwich’in Tribal Council

Posted on June 18, 2017June 22, 2017 by robmcmahon

Last week the Gwich’in Tribal Council’s Department of Cultural Heritage (GTC) hosted a day-long workshop on Digital Content and Connectivity in Gwich’in communities. This pilot was designed by GTC staff and partners from the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Extension and the First Mile Connectivity Consortium. The team included Dr. Rob McMahon and Master of Arts[…]

Digital Inclusion and structural barriers

What is Digital Inclusion? According to the Bureau of Internet Accessibility, a company offering consulting to corporate clients on the subject, it is the attempt to bridge the digital divide between “those who have ready access to computers and the internet, and those who do not”. Reisdorf and Rhinesmith (2020) argue that digital inclusion should[…]

FMCC associate presents at “Partnership for Progress on the Digital Divide” event

Posted on May 28, 2017June 2, 2017 by robmcmahon

FMCC Research Associate, Professor Heather Hudson, presented at the Partnership for Progress on the Digital Divide (PPDD) conference. The conference on was held in San Diego on May 24 and 25, scheduled to precede the International Communication Association (ICA) conference. Heather reports that our session had a small but enthusiastic group in the audience, and time for[…]

Northern Digital Opportunities Strategy (CanNor)

In 2008, the federal government announced the creation of a new stand-alone agency focused on northern economic development, a key deliverable under the government’s Northern Strategy. In 2009, Cannor was provided with $50 million over five years to “to help provide the foundation for a prosperous economic future for those who live, work and support[…]

Introducing broadband-enabled applications: Youth ICT and Digital Innovator Videos

The previous topic focused on the operations and maintenance of First Mile broadband systems. Here, we look at the different ways that communities are using these tools. Through broadband-enabled public and community services, Indigenous peoples are leveraging digital ICTs to support their self-government initiatives. In 2012, a group of Youth ICT Workers from different First[…]

First Nations Digital Jam

Posted on October 3, 2012December 29, 2020 by brianbeaton

Alert Bay, British Columbia – British Columbia Wednesday, 3 October 2012, 11:50 AM Early in 2012, Sue Hanley, former coordinator of the First Nations Technology Council of British Columbia (FNTC), attended a student showcase at the Centre for Digital Media in Vancouver. This event inspired her to develop a project to bring together Masters of[…]

FNTC releases Indigenous Leadership in Technology

Posted on March 31, 2023March 31, 2023 by Tricia Toso

The First Nations Technology Council (Technology Council) published its report “Indigenous Leadership in Technology: Understanding Access and Opportunities in British Columbia” in December of 2022. The report offers a summary of some of the current barriers and enablers Indigenous peoples experience in building technological capacity as well as their vision for the future of technology[…]