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The Indigenous Internet: New Technologies Link Ancient Cultures
The First Peoples' Project enables native children around the world to exchange lore and learning online.
by Ken Ellis
VIDEO: First Peoples' Project: Native Children Distribute Their Cultural Wealth
Running Time: 6 min.
They huddle together on the playground, giggling behind clipboards, shyly rehearsing the interview questions they are about to put to their elders in a jumble of English and Choctaw. "Why did you start chanting?" "What stories did your grandmother tell you?" "What's your favorite Choctaw dance?" For this group of students from Pearl River Elementary School in Philadelphia, Mississippi, the interviews provide information about their tribe's rich history they won't find in any textbook. Moments after their interviews, the students will present their stories and digital photographs to a global audience, as part of the International Education and Resource Network's (iEARN) First Peoples' Project.
Indigenous students on five continents share their stories, poems, photographs, and art work, displaying them on the Internet and exchanging packages through the mail once a year. The Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, which runs the largest and one of the most tech-savvy tribal school systems in the country, has participated in the First Peoples' Project since its inception in 1997. "We explored various science projects and a variety of directions to go with iEARN, and our kids felt more comfortable with working with indigenous people," says Choctaw First Peoples' Project Coordinator, Bob Smith. "This project prods us to research and get the kids working in areas that are significant here at home, like communicating more with their elders."
The First Peoples' Project has spawned the Indigenous Global Art Project and an ongoing humanitarian effort, which has raised thousands of dollars for everything from blankets to scholarships for a school in Thailand. Significant contributions to the fund have come from the Choctaw community, where gaming revenues and other economic initiatives have fueled a school building boom and the proliferation of technology in the classroom. But "prosperity" presents a new set of challenges. "I don't want kids to stop playing stickball or forget about traditional dancing and cooking, or speaking their own language," says athletic instructor Jason Bell. "I hope we can influence these kids that we need to keep our culture alive for the next generation."
By putting digital stills of their classmates dancing and playing stickball on the First Peoples' Project Web site, these students have learned to use the newest technology to celebrate their timeless culture and share its wisdom with the rest of the world. Back on the playground, the elder smiles as he ponders the fifth grader's question. "My favorite dance? Snake dance. You know how a snake maneuvers around? That's how life is. Life is not always a straight road. That's what the snake dance reminds me of."
New technologies linking indigenous cultures
Submitted by Sean (not verified) on April 2, 2008 - 03:58.
What a great idea. Not only does this project help teach tech. literacy, it also helps preserve culture, language, and heritage for generations to come. Moreover, projects like this allow the reader to hear the voices of the people themselves, not just a textbook author's interpretation. It also is connecting indigenous people around the world. I also appreciate the fact that it facilitates dialog between the youth and their elders.
New technologies linking indigenous cultures
Submitted by Brenda Montroy (not verified) on March 30, 2008 - 10:04.
What a wonderful way to learn more about and keep a person's heritage alive. Not only are they preserving the past, but they are making using of the present day technology and moving forward with the latest in learning methods.
Social studies
Submitted by Dave Molnar (not verified) on February 24, 2008 - 09:44.
Seems like this approach is as ancient as its subject. Oral History and the notion of storytellers reciting the past is universal and when applied through technology, more far-reaching than ever.
Technology Link to Cultures
Submitted by Charlotte Reed (not verified) on February 21, 2008 - 10:08.
I think that this was a fine way to expose the youth to technology. I like the fact that the children were learning of their culture, sharing it with others(through technology) and they showed that they care about others. My Dad, who has passed away, told us about his grandmother who was Choctaw. They were from Choctaw County, Mississippi. I would like to know more about this project.
technology linking ancient cultures
Submitted by Sherry (not verified) on February 20, 2008 - 17:23.
I especially like the fact that these children are learning to appreciate their culture from the perspective of their grandparents and other relatives, making their realizations all the more meaningful.
personal finance
Submitted by Dorothy Donaby (not verified) on February 10, 2008 - 18:55.
I think this was a wonderful project. It is touching when we take the time to look at our past and document those memories and more importantly pass history down. The choice of documentation was invaluable. Sharing the images with other cultures was a way that can create understanding of other cultures.
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