New Technologies Link Ancient Cultures

Ellis, K. (2002).  New Technologies Link Ancient Cultures. Edutopia.  

      Retrieved from: http://www.edutopia.org/new-technologies-link-ancient-cultures

Summary: One of the biggest threats facing indigenous cultures is that younger generations are forgetting about their ancestry.  The First Peoples' Project aims to change that.  Indigenous students on five different continents are sharing their stories, poems, photographs and artwork on the Internet, though the First Peoples' Project.  This gives elders an opportunity to explain to the younger generation about their culture, and in turn, allows the younger generation to use technology to post these stories.  Not only that, but indigenous students are able to learn about other cultures around the world.  Just another wonder of the Internet age-- people sharing stories and learning about their own culture in the process.

Reaction:  While I am very happy that indigenous cultures are preserving their stories, I wish this program was focused a little more on helping students learn technology skills that could help them in real life.  Due to centuries of oppression and persecution, Native Americans have some of the highest rates of alcoholism and poverty in the country.  While the need to preserve their culture is great, these students also need to be given an opportunity to succeed in the market place.  If I were in charge of this program, I would increase the scope of its mission-- to not only educate indigenous people about their culture, but also teach them skills that could help them get a job in the computer industry.  Native Americans can remember the past while also looking toward the future at the same time.