SchoolNet program expands students' horizons

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Computers - not since the advent of electricity has technological change had such an impact on the lives of people.

And the opportunities and challenges of the computer age have come home to First Nations as well - particularly the youth - with the First Nations SchoolNet project.

Created in 1996 by Industry Canada, and now jointly administered by the Assembly of First Nations, the project provides First Nations' schools with a link to the information highway by providing computers and PC digital receiving satellite dishes.

Since it's inception, more than 500 First Nations schools have been connected across Canada with the goal of having every First Nation community on-line by the year 2003.

And the program is rapidly contributing to the development of increased computer skills by First Nations' children as well as their increased political and social awareness, and a sense of connection to other First Nations' communities.

The goals and objectives of the program are comprehensive: to assist learning through the use of the best educational resources the world has to offer; to develop computer and communications' skills essential to the future; to join a network of Aboriginal students across Canada and around the world.

And it appears that these goals are being achieved.

Across First Nations' communities, students are linking up with other First Nations to exchange ideas and viewpoints and communicat directly with people anywhere using e-mail. They are also able to access university and government databases and libraries, as well as using news groups to post questions or messages on any topic.

"First Nations SchoolNet thrives because it is constantly being expanded and refreshed by its users," said First Nations SchoolNet Program co-ordinator, Marilee Nowgesic.

"Exciting projects are posted regularly and the challenges and opportunities for First Nations' schools are endless."

Many of the schools and communities, said Nowgesic, are using First Nations SchoolNet to promote their cultures, languages and communities by developing their own home page or website.

Using the First Nations SchoolNet website means students are never more than a mouse button click away from a new discovery.

The First Nations home page at http://www.schoolnet.ca provides links to such subjects and topics as Aboriginal businesses; culture; curriculum; Elders; health; home news; legal services; services; news services; political and social organizations; schools and traditional knowledge; as well as a comprehensive reference index.

For First Nations' students wanting to find out what students in other communities are up to, the site offers a virtually unlimited chance to find out about other Aboriginal cultures and traditions.

In Atlantic Canada, for example, you can visit the Innu Nation of Labrador's website, which features information on Innu culture and history, as well as political issues the community is facing such as low-level flying or the Voisey's Bay mining debate.

Another click can transport students to the Cree of Northern Quebec, where a photo essay provides a glimpse of life there, as well as samples of their Cree language or information on Cree sovereignty and the James Bay agreement.

Students are also able to surf to Ontario and visit the Chippewas of the Thames to access historical and contemporary information about the community and its people. In fact, students can travel anywhere their imaginations take them.

For 15-year-old Sylvia Harper of the Wasagamack First Nation in northern Manitoba getting First Nations SchoolNet was a godsend.

"Because our libraries and resource materials are pretty limited out here it was really hard when you had a question or interest that you just wanted to find out on your own. Since we got connected at school I've been able to do a lot of research I just couldn't have done before."

For Harper it has also meant discovering new electronic pen pals to share her thoughts as well of what life is ike in her community.

"I've learned a lot from other First Nations kids across Canada too and it's got me excited about my future and the things waiting for me to do."

In fact, the entire student body of George Knott School in the community was so excited that the Grade 3 to 11 student body created its own website, which features the school's logo, a profile of the school, their community and the Oji-Cree language, as well as several personal essays written by students.

For school instructor Bill Taylor the program has definitely had a positive impact at the school.

"The initiative of students is much higher now. They're doing things for themselves and on their own because they're interested. That makes teaching a lot easier of course and Sylvia's a good example of this.

One of the interesting stories found at the school website is of the community's Elders In-School Program. It was established to bring Elders into the school three times a week to act as a resource for students and teachers to assist them in providing and understanding traditional and historic perspectives, as well as provide linguistic and translation expertise.

And the success of the project is not just isolated to one or two communities.

In Saskatchewan, the Grade 8 students of Hector Thiboult School have produced their own autobiographies, a school newsletter and information for teachers.

Alberta's Saddle Lake First Nation has also caught the computer bug as its Ashmont Secondary School put up its own site.

Billing itself as the "coolest" school on the web, Leo Ussak Elementary School, located at Rankin Inlet near the Arctic Circle, has also put up its own website.

The significant demand and interest by First Nations also led to the launch of "The Learner's Circle" an eight-page First Nations SchoolNet newsletter. Dedicated to the technological side of the NET and featuring a wealth of articles on topics ranging from actual computer applications and how they work, the newsletter also features gneral news and information on such topics as the annual Aboriginal Career Symposium and the First Nations Digital Collection, which promotes the development of websites featuring significant Canadian Aboriginal material.

The quarterly newsletter also features individual interviews and profiles of students and educators participating in First Nations' SchoolNet projects, and provides announcements of other educational developments.

For First Nations SchoolNet, the three short years since its launch have been busy, challenging and an exciting period, witnessing numerous technological advancements and the increase in the scope of its own activities.

But it's in First Nation communities where the greatest excitement and progress is occurring as they develop the tools and knowledge to ensure their futures.

For information on local developments of the First Nations SchoolNet initiatives in your area you can contact one of the following representatives of the National Indian Education Council:

Nova Scotia/Newfoundland

Marjorie Gould

Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq

Education Authority

115 Membertou Street

Sydney, NS, B1S 2M9

PH (902) 567-0336

New Brunswick & PEI

Delbert Moulton

P.O. Box 160

Pert-Andover, NB,

DOJ 1VO

PH (506) 273-6273

Quebec

Gilbert Whiteduck

Kitigan Zibi

Education Council

41 Kikinanamage Mikan

Maniwaki, Quebec, J9E 3B3

PH (819) 449-1798

Ontario

Chiefs of Ontario

2-22 College Street

Toronto, ON, M5G 1K2

PH(416) 972-0212

Manitoba

Virginia Arthurson

Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs

200-260 St.Mary Avenue

Winnipeg, MB, R3C OM6

PH (204) 956-0610

Saskatchewan

Alayne Bigwin

Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations

200-103A Packham Road

Saskatoon SK, S4N 5W5

PH (306) 665-1215

Alberta

Dr. Viviian Ayoungman

Treaty 7 Tribal Council

10-6940 Fisher Road S.E.

Calgary, AB, T2H OW3

PH (403) 258 1775

British Columbia

Barbara White/

Christa Williams

Nanaimo First Nation

669 Center Street

Nanaimo, BC, V9R 4Z5

PH (604) 754-3033

Yukon

Nancy Hager

Mayo First Nation

P.O. Box 22

Mayo, Yukon, YOB 1MO

PH (403) 996-2265

Assembly of First Nations

Dr. Rose-Alma McDonald

Assembly of First Nations

1 Nicholas Street

Ottawa, ON, K1N 7B7

PH (613) 241-6789

SchoolNet has announced that the First Nations SchoolNet program has been extended to the year 2003.

Companies in the Stentor Alliance which provide high-speed Internet access to First Nations schools Through Telesat's DirecPCTM service have confirmed their commitment to ensure all First Nations schools are connected

The program has also been expanded to include 350 First Nations communities that do not have schools. They are now also eligible to receive the service.