IBM Provides Technology Access and Training to Native People Through the 2006 Native American Family Technology Journey (fwd)

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IBM Provides Technology Access and Training to Native People Through the
2006 Native American Family Technology Journey
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/11-03-2006/0004466768&EDATE=

    ARMONK, N.Y., Nov. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- IBM today announced that the
Native American Family Technology Journey, co-sponsored by IBM and
Career Communications Group, will kick off its third national public
awareness program to help Native American families explore the benefits
of incorporating computer technology into their daily lives. The
program, known as "The Journey," promotes the value of computer
technology in preserving ancient cultures and also provides students
and their families with technology training that allows them to access
educational, career, health and other information, that has the
potential to improve their quality of life. The Journey is officially
celebrated during the month of November, and coincides with National
American Indian Heritage Month.
    This year, the Journey will provide computer and Internet workshops,
educational and career seminars and interactive demonstrations for
Native Americans in urban centers, rural areas and on tribal lands from
Alaska to Arizona. In addition, other initiatives that support the
Journey's mission have been launched to help Native Americans preserve
their languages and customs, and develop marketable skills.
    The lack of adequate infrastructure, a weak economic base and the
dearth of people to install and maintain technology are among the
factors that create the technological gap between Native Americans and
the general population. These issues, coupled with rapid-paced
technological advances, underscore concerns raised in Falling Through
The Net: Defining The Digital Divide, a study released by the National
Telecommunications and Information Administration, U.S. Department of
Commerce(1). The study 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."
    Earlier this year, IBM worked with local educators in Alaska to
provide high school students with Linux certification and college-level
technology courses that will enable them to compete for technology jobs
from their own cities and villages and contribute to Alaska's economic
growth. IBM launched the Native American Partners in Education program
along with Mt. Edgecumbe High School in Sitka, Alaska and the Alaska
Commissioner of Education and Early Development.
    "The spirit of the Journey is to encourage as many people and
organizations as possible to share their technological knowledge,
talents and resources so that Native People can establish a larger
presence in the Digital Age," said Mark Hakey (Abenaki), IBM
Distinguished Engineer/Manager of Advanced Process Technology
Development, and a Journey national co-chair. "Every year there is a
greater awareness among Native Americans about the importance of
technology and its advantages. No one knows where the next
technological breakthrough will come from -- and with initiatives like
these, it could well be from the Native American community."
    In September 2006, the Native American Chamber of Commerce partnered
with SeniorNet, a leading nonprofit technology educator of older adults,
and IBM to announce the opening of achievement centers that will bring
computer access and education to Native American reservations across the
United States. The first achievement center opened at the Blackfeet
Nation in Browning, Montana, and four more centers will open over the
next three years. The centers will be established as part of the
grant-based initiative Hope and Harmony for Humanity. The program will
provide more than 40,000 youths, adults and seniors with the
opportunity to access basic training in computer hardware, reading,
English, math and science, GED certification, college prep and
admissions assistance, language study, global health and safety
information, basic business skills and cultural activities.
    Later this month, the Indigenous Language Institute (ILI) will
partner with IBM to host the fourth in a series of "Ancient Voices:
Modern Tools" workshops on the campus of Northeastern State University
in Tahlequah, OK. The program, scheduled for November 16-18, will put
multimedia technology\ tools and language material templates, such as
newsletters, calendars and storybooks, into the hands of community
language practitioners. It will show them how to digitally create
culturally appropriate resources for their tribes. Some 50 people
representing 15 tribal nations, from Louisiana to California, are
expected to participate in the workshop.
    For additional information about the Native American Family
Technology Journey, please visit http://www.nativeamericanfamilynet.net
or call Marsha Jews at (410) 244-7101.
    (1) National Telecommunications and Information Administration.
(1999) Falling Through the Net III "Defining the Digital Divide."


SOURCE IBM