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Examining the Potential Use of the Collaborative-Geomatics Informatics Tool to Foster Intergenerational Transfer of Knowledge in a Remote First Nation Community

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 October 2013

Andrea Isogai ,
Daniel D. McCarthy ,
Holly L. Gardner ,
Jim D. Karagatzides ,
Skye Vandenberg ,
Christine Barbeau ,
Nadia Charania ,
Vicky Edwards ,
Don Cowan  and
Leonard J.S. Tsuji
Andrea Isogai*
Affiliation:
Department of Environment and Resource Studies, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Daniel D. McCarthy
Affiliation:
Department of Environment and Resource Studies, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Holly L. Gardner
Affiliation:
Department of Environment and Resource Studies, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Jim D. Karagatzides
Affiliation:
School of Environmental Studies, Georgian College, Barrie, Ontario, Canada
Skye Vandenberg
Affiliation:
Department of Environment and Resource Studies, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Christine Barbeau
Affiliation:
Department of Environment and Resource Studies, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Nadia Charania
Affiliation:
Department of Environment and Resource Studies, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Vicky Edwards
Affiliation:
Mundo Peetabeck Education Authority, Fort Albany, Ontario, Canada
Don Cowan
Affiliation:
Computer Systems Group, Computer Science Department, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
Leonard J.S. Tsuji
Affiliation:
Department of Environment and Resource Studies, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
*
address for correspondence: Andrea D. Isogai, Department of Environment and Resource Studies, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, N2L 3G1, Canada. Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

Northern First Nations in Canada have experienced environmental change throughout history, adapting to these changes based on personal experience interacting with their environment. Community members of Fort Albany First Nation of northern Ontario, Canada, have voiced their concern that their youths’ connection to the land is diminishing, making this generation more vulnerable to environmental change. Community members previously identified the collaborative-geomatics informatics tool as potentially useful for fostering intergenerational knowledge transfer. In this article, we assess the potential of the informatics tool to reconnect youth with the surrounding land in order to strengthen the adaptive capacity of Fort Albany First Nation. The tool was introduced to students in an environmental-outreach camp that included traditional activities. Students used global positioning systems and geo-tagged photographs that were loaded onto the informatics tool. Semi-directed interviews revealed that the students enjoyed the visual and spatial capabilities of the system, and recognised its potential to be used in conjunction with traditional activities. This pilot study suggests that the tool has the potential to be used by youth to provide an opportunity for the intergenerational transfer of Indigenous knowledge, but further evaluation is required.

Keywords

adaptive capacityFirst Nationscollaborative geomaticsenvironmental changeIndigenous knowledge
Type
Research Article
Information
The Australian Journal of Indigenous Education , Volume 42 , Issue 1 , August 2013 , pp. 44 - 57
Copyright
Copyright © The Authors 2013 

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