Native American Family Technology Journey Seeks to Preserve Heritage... (fwd)

[phil cash cash]

Native American Family Technology Journey Seeks to Preserve Heritage
Through Innovation and Encourage Internet Access Today

http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release_html_b1?release_id=99861

ARMONK, NY -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 11/01/2005 -- While technology is hailed
by many for its potential to advance today's society, Native Americans
are encouraged by the promise it holds to help sustain languages and
cultures several centuries old. The 2005 Native American Family
Technology Journey (The Journey), launching on November 1, will offer
Native People across the United States a chance to explore what
technology and innovation can mean for their families as they embrace
the full potential of the Internet.

A study released by the National Telecommunications and Information
Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, titled Falling Through The
Net: Defining The Digital Divide, found that Native Americans "are not
able to access the important information resources via computers and on
the Internet that are quickly becoming essential for success."

"With studies indicating that access to computers among many Native
American households lags behind the national average by 15% and access
to the Internet by roughly 19%, it's clear that more has to be done to
make Native American families aware of the advantages and opportunities
that are associated with bringing technology into their lives," said
Terry Braun (Seneca Hawk), Director, Americas Solution Design Center,
IBM Global Services and Native American Family Technology Journey
national co-chair.

"The Journey is providing American Indian families with an opportunity
to not just hear about technology, but also to experience it. I've seen
children delight in constructing bridges out of steel on a computer, and
adults marvel at how easily they can access information on the Internet.
Technology can make a tremendous difference in the Native community. As
we reach these young people, IBM is hoping to inspire them to not only
learn about the benefits of technology but to also consider careers in
technology," said Braun.

"We are truly honored to work with IBM and Career Communications Group
on The Journey," said Marcella Perrano, a member of the
Ramapough-Lenape nation and director of Title VII Indian Education. "We
are very excited and believe that the events comprising this national
initiative will provide a fun-filled learning experience for all of the
participants. Our goal is to increase technical education and computer
literacy among Native American Families, by assisting them in
incorporating science and technology into their daily lives. With this
in mind, it is our hope that these events will encourage our Native
American students to pursue university degrees in science, technology
and/or business."

Sponsored by IBM and Career Communications Group (CCG), The Journey will
play host to computer and Internet workshops, educational and career
seminars, and interactive demonstrations, which will provide Native
Americans residing in urban centers, rural areas and on tribal lands
technology access and training.

The Journey will also establish a forum in which Native people can learn
more about technology's potential to help pass the languages, stories
and customs that distinguish their tribes from one generation to
another. IBM, for example, is partnering with the Indigenous Language
Institute to establish a Language Materials Development Center that
will assist various tribes in preserving, teaching and sharing their
language.

The company has also developed the Native Keyboard Input Method Editor,
which allows a user to switch from English to another language with a
simple "hotkey" or command. In addition, IBM is partnering with the
Abenaki Tribe in Swanton, Vermont to offer Native American families
classes covering basic to intermediate computer skills, including
Windows, the Internet, web page creation and using business
productivity software. The classes will take place in the computer lab
IBM gifted to the community.