Indigenous digital media projects

These kinds of developments are also reflected in the online world of digital media. Around the world, Indigenous peoples are using digital media in diverse ways. They are early adopters of these technologies, which provide many opportunities for these communities to create and distribute content, and connect with one another.

As far back as the early 1980s “the smallest Inuit communities were provided [technical] equipment, access, and expertise, and soon were developing websites” (Alia, 2010, p. 73). More recently, a study from the U.S. found that when broadband was available, Native Americans did everything from blog to download podcasts at higher than national averages (Morris & Meinrath, 2009).

Several studies from Canada echo these findings. For example, Budka (2008) surveyed more than 1,000 users of the First Nations social networking site MyKNet.org and found that they considered the website their most important communication medium: more so than telephone, TV, and community radio. You can read more about MyKNET.org here.

These developments are reflected in several innovative digital media projects set up by indigenous peoples. For example, IsumaTV is an Inuit film and digital media production company based in Igloolik, Nunavut. The company has completed over 40 Inuttitut-language films, and its staff continue to produce digital media. They even built their own network to distribute their videos inside regions that otherwise lack connectivity. In 2008, IsumaTV began installing high-speed broadband and public access production studios in several communities. Funded through the Canadian Media Fund, this project utilized satellites to support ‘high-speed video in low-speed communities’.