twenty twelve

Crossing Boundaries' Aboriginal Voice initiative is a multi-stakeholder process involving several Aboriginal organizations, federal government departments, provincial and territorial governments and the KTA Center for Collaborative Government.

From the beginning Crossing Boundaries identified the need to consider the impact of ICT on Aboriginal cultures and identifies this is documented within Aboriginal Culture in the Digital Age . It was identified that ICT can offer critical opportunities to strengthen Aboriginal cultural identify, promote sustainable community development and achieve greater self alliance. 2010, was the commitment year by all governments in Canada to bridge the digital divide for Aboriginal communities and institutions in 2005, and within the decade for all Aboriginal people. Obviously the commitment requires continuance.

According to the Aboriginal Voice National Recommendations the digital divide reflects 'disparity' or scarcity - in connectivity, hardware skills, and access to ICT that Aboriginal communities and citizens experience, much to do with geography and infrastructure (p.11). Although research describes great strides, (see November 26 post) barriers of affordability of computers and high Internet charges remain. AVNR does recommends community colleges playing a leadership role in contributing to ICT maintenance, training and future elearning strategies (p.14) Once again, reflecting on my own instructional perspective, seeking to review and integrate ICT within post-secondary community college curriculum means embrace the diversity of First Nation populations and that one size does not 'fit' all. ICT is flexible and can be easily tailored to specific solutions and possibilities.

Assess pros and cons of emerging ICT within Aboriginal government.