Title: From Silicon Valleys to Community Informatics Neighbourhoods—Digital Development Strategies as Though Local Economies Mattered
Author: Michael Gurstein
Source: Gurstein's Community Informatics
Date (published): 02/08/2010
Date (accessed): 03/08/2010
Type of information: blog post
Language: English
On-line access: yes (HTML)
Abstract:
"Many (most) countries in the world have in the decade just passed, developed and at least partially implemented what may be called a “digital development strategy”. These strategies are based on a perception that the kind of economic activity that has resulted from the technical/digital development taking place in Silicon Valley and similar such locales particularly in the US is a necessary element of the economic development strategy for any/every country that wants to be competitive and thus prosperous at this time in economic history.

The perception is that the well funded science and technology programs at the leading universities in the San Francisco and California region—Stanford, CalTech, UC Berkeley and so on attracted faculty and produced students whose leading edge work contributed more or less immediately and directly to the generation of technology innovations which in turn led directly to the creation of start-up technology enterprises. These mixed with fairly ready availability of investment capital, in turn sparked the technology (and commercial) digital revolutions of the Internet and other digital enterprises. In turn these enterprises provided the basis for economic advance and importantly (from a government’s perspective) job creation and enhancements to the national revenue stream through taxes and so on.

This logic is probably correct at least in outline (but would be worth examining in some close detail) however, what is rather less obvious is that this model can (or should) be reproduced not just once or twice but repeatedly in tens and hundreds of locations around the world..."

Title: Living Proof: The Essential Data-Collection Guide for Indigenous Use-and-Occupancy Map Surveys
Author: Terry Tobias
Pages: 486 pp.
Publisher: Ecotrust Canada and Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs (UBCIC)
Date (published): January 2010
Date (accessed): 03/00005/2010
Type of information:
Language: English
On-line access: yes (HTML)
Abstract:
In land claims and resource development negotiations, Indigenous people increasingly bear the burden to prove their connection to the land. Living Proof is a methodology for Indigenous communities to assemble their resources to produce high quality use-and-occupancy maps that will stand up in court and be accepted by business.
“First Nations people are still being denied access to realizing the wealth and full utility of their traditional lands, so it is vitally important to record the knowledge of those who have been out asserting their Aboriginal Rights on the ground,” says Grand Chief Stewart Phillip of UBCIC. “Living Proof is extremely valuable in helping us record knowledge in a way that can be used not only for its own sake, but also for negotiation concerning the recognition and reconciliation of our Indigenous land rights.”
Living Proof is based on the research and knowledge of over 100 practitioners and communities in Canada, Alaska and Australia. They provided project advice, case studies and maps, making the guide not only solidly grounded, but also accessible and easy to use.

Chapter 1 Using Your Maps - Tsleil-Waututh Case Study
Chapter 2 Jumping In - Use-and-Occupancy Mapping
Chapter 3 Understanding the Basics - Map-Biography Method
Chapter 4 Looking at Maps - Sample Map Biographies
Chapter 5 Charting a Steady Course - Research Principles
Chapter 6 Rules of the Game - Understanding Data Quality
Chapter 7 Getting Started - Advice for Early Decisions
Chapter 8 Keeping Research on Track - Project Management
Chapter 9 Designing the Research - Map-Survey Parameters
Chapter 10 Clarity of Communication - The Questionnaire
Chapter 11 Things You'll Need - The Map Toolkit
Chapter 12 Recording Spatial Data - Marking Features on Maps
Chapter 13 Documenting the Process - The Research Record
Chapter 14 A Structure for Success - The Interview Procedure
Chapter 15 The Interviewer's Bible - The Data-Collection Manual
Chapter 16 A Necessary Roadtest - Interviewer Training + Pretest
Chapter 17 Holding it Together - The Interview Relationship
Chapter 18 Getting Community Approval - Verification of Map Data
Chapter 19 A Tricky Business - Place-Name Mapping
Chapter 20 Good Methodology Travels - Australian Case Study
Appendix 1 - Benchmarking Best Practices
Appendix 2 - Tasks of a Use-and-Occupancy Map Survey
Appendix 3 - Conventional Coding Systems
Appendix 4 - Avoiding Large-Polygon Problems
Appendix 5 - Community Meetings to Define Survey Parameters
Appendix 6 - Map-Toolkit Supplies
Appendix 7 - Adding Value to Base Maps
More Voices: Practitioner Quotes
Glossary
References: Recommended Reading
Sources: Maps and Photography
With Thanks
Index

via http://www.comminit.com/en/node/314346/307

See also:
Mapping a vision for their lands
The Globe and Mail, April 04, 2010

Title: In Search of Community Champions: Researching the Outcomes of K-Net’s Youth Information and Communications Technology Training Initiative
Author: Kristy Tomkinson
ISBN: 1712-4441
Source: The Journal of Community Informatics; Special Issue: CI & Indigenous Communities in Canada—The K-Net (Keewaytinook Okimakanak's Kuhkenah Network) Experience
Date (published): 07/12/2009
Date (accessed): 12/02/2010
Type of information: peer-reviewed article
Language: English
On-line access: yes (HTML)
Abstract:
The Youth ICT Training initiative (YICT) has been providing IT skills training and short-term employment opportunities to First Nations youth in Ontario's far North for 15 years. Initially funded by Industry Canada, YICT is developed and guided by the Kuhkenah Network (K-Net) based in Sioux Lookout Ontario. This study, initiated through the partnership between a University of Guelph graduate student and K-Net, has evolved from an evaluation of program outcomes to a search for community champions. This journey in research has revealed the importance of capturing the stories of individual creativity, ingenuity, needs, and relationships for community IT development.

Title: Implementation of Information and Communication Technology in Aboriginal Communities: A Social Capital Perspective
Authors: Javier Mignone, Heather Henley
ISBN: 1712-4441
Source: The Journal of Community Informatics; Special Issue: CI & Indigenous Communities in Canada—The K-Net (Keewaytinook Okimakanak's Kuhkenah Network) Experience
Date (published): 17/12/2009
Date (accessed): 12/02/2010
Type of information: peer-reviewed article
Language: English
On-line access: yes (HTML)
Abstract:
The paper provides a social capital framework to examine the implementation ICT in Aboriginal communities. Using case descriptions from First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, the paper discusses the potential opportunities offered by ICT in distinct fields, and analyzes from a social capital perspective the enabling and inhibiting conditions that seem to play a role in successful implementations of ICT in Aboriginal communities.

Title: Anti social-computing: indigenous language, digital video and intellectual property
Authors: Jon Corbett, Tim Kulchyski
Pages: 7 pp.
ISSN: 1357 938X
Source: Participatory Learning and Action, Volume 59, Number 1, June 2009, pp. 52-58
Publisher: International Institute for Environment and Development
Date (published): June 2009
Date (accessed): 15/01/2010
Type of information: research article
Language: English
On-line access: yes (pdf)
Abstract:
Jon Corbett and Tim Kulchyski discuss the importance of intellectual property rights when using Web 2.0 tools for development. The authors describe a project working with Hul'q'umi'num'-speaking communities based in Canada to revitalise their language. Using a range of tools and approaches including participatory video, the project also developed a series of short language-learning videos which were uploaded to video-sharing websites. However, not all the material generated was made available online. The participants strategically limited how much of their valuable cultural knowledge was made public, retaining much of it within their own communities.

Title: Government of Canada announces launch of its Language Portal and free access to TERMIUM Plus for all Canadians
Source: Canada News Centre
Publisher: Government of Canada/Gouvernement du Canada
Date (published): 08/102009
Date (accessed): 14/10/2009
Type of information: news release
Language: English/French
On-line access: yes (HTML)
Abstract:
Gatineau, Quebec, October 8, 2009 – The Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister responsible for the Outaouais Region and Member of Parliament for Pontiac, today announced the launch of the Language Portal of Canada (www.ourlanguages.gc.ca).

The Portal provides Canadians with free, one-stop access to a wide range of language tools, including TERMIUM Plus — the Government of Canada’s terminology and linguistic data bank. Users can also consult various writing tools, articles on language problems and numerous other online Canadian resources. This initiative is a component of the Roadmap for Canada's Linguistic Duality 2008–2013.
...
The result of over 30 years of research and development, TERMIUM Plus has long been an important resource for language professionals. Now, with the launch of the Language Portal of Canada, anyone can access this useful and reliable tool that provides translations of general and specialized terms and phrases in almost all spheres of human activity. Clefs du français pratique (French) and Writing Tips (English) are among the many tools available through the portal. Articles written by contributors from across Canada are also available.

Title: The i-REACH Project in Cambodia
Authors: Kim Dara, Long Dimanche, Seán Ó Siochrú
ISBN: 1712-4441
Journal: The Journal of Community Informatics, Vol 4, No 1 (2008)
Date published: 05/05/2008
Date accessed: 15/06/2009
Type of information: research article, peer-reviewed
Language: English
On-line access: yes, HTML and pdf
Abstract:
The i-REACH project in Cambodia is an ambitious three year initiative building two pilot e-communities in rural Cambodia. Begun on May 2006, funded by IDRC of Canada, and managed by the Ministry of Commerce Cambodia, the goal is to deploy a range of ICTs, including telephony, internet, videoconferencing, radio and video, to bring social and economic benefits to villagers, eventually leading to the creation of community-owned ICT enterprises. Although already somewhat behind schedule, a solid team is in place in each pilot, the communities are mobilising around the initiative, and a range of services are on the point of launch.