Digital Divide in Navajoland

1. Digital Divide in Navajoland Wendy Begay

2. Introduction Personal Clans School Expectations of educated youth Work � Navajo Nation Community Services Coordinator Agency Director

3. Overview Background � Navajo Government Working for Navajo Nation Communication Current Environment � Infrastructure NAATP & Inscription House Current trends of Native American users of technology Navajo Traditions and Technology Incorporating technology into Navajo Culture

4. Background � Navajo Government 3 States: Arizona, New Mexico and Utah Central Government in Window Rock, Arizona 3 branch Government � legislative, executive & judicial 5 Regional Agencies 110 Chapters Local Govt consists of President (elected) Vice President (elected) Secretary/Treasurer (elected) Grazing Committee Representative (elected) Council Delegate (elected) Community Services Coordinator (employee) Administrative Assistant (employee) Operating Funds � held in trust Future: Local Governance Act (LGA) Chapter House � local public meeting hall

6. Inscription House Chapter Statistics from US Census Date (2000) for Inscription House Chapter Total population: 1214 95.3% self-identified as American Indian 85.8% do not have telephone service 39.6% lack complete indoor plumbing 51.3% lack kitchen facilities 88.3% speak Navajo at home 53% are in elementary schools 46.4% of families are in poverty 86.6% of all homes use wood to heat their homes $7,216 per capita income

7. NAATP Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation US Library Program Partnership with public libraries Native American Access to Technology Program (NAATP) 1999 Barriers: size and infrastructure Customized to each site (chapter) 43 Tribes in SW, Navajo Nation Total $9.6 million for 161 sites

8. NAATP & Inscription House Chapter Satellite Connection Internet Access for 1 year Hardware & Software 2 computers, a black and white laser printer, color printer, projector, digital camera, headset microphone and scanner MS software: FrontPage, Publisher, Image Composer, Office (Access, Excel, PowerPoint and Word reference software (dictionaries, atlases and encyclopedias) children�s games and software like the Magic Bus series, the Arthur series and Algebra and Geometry tutors 1 year�s subscription to Softline�s Ethnic Newswatch (Navajo Times) 2 Navajo language programs, multimedia tools (Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, GIF Animator, Real Networks RealPlayer and RealProducer

9. NAATP & Inscription House Chapter Sustained use at Inscription House Damaged or stolen equipment No replacement or repair plan Central IT Dept in Window Rock Another grant for continued internet access ISPs for Western Navajo Nation 3000+ POPs Cost: $21.95/month Instruction and training to use tools Some complex programs are not used: photoshop, language tools

10. Navajos & Technology Fears & beliefs among Native Americans Continued loss of their land and language Introduction & adoption of technology from mainstream culture hastens this loss Oral Tradition & Culture How Navajos get their information

11. Incorporating Navajo Culture & Technology The value of things are measured by their usefulness. Demonstrate its importance Children & Parents School Usability of websites Forms Information Central & Regional Navajo Government Barriers of distance and infrastructure Establish an IT position within the local government

12. National Center for Education Statistics Report (2003) Who uses the Internet? 60% White and Asian adults 47% American Indians 39% Blacks 31% Hispanics Future research- NAATP and increased percentage of American Indians using the Internet Is there a relationship?

13. The Future Single Family Homes Barriers � no cable or phone lines Financial Use and importance Satellites Considered an Interim step Speed limitations, unreliable connections, high maintenance & costs

14. References Berry, J.N. (2005). The Library Haines Built. Library Journal, 130 (2), 38-41. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. (2001). Native American Access to Technology Program: Progress Report. Seattle, Washington: Sirois, J.E., Gordon, M.T., Gordon, A.C. Bolt, D.B., Crawford, R.A. (2000). Digital Divide: Computers and Our Children�s Future. New York: TV Books. Cutler, L. (2001). Prosperity Games to bridge digital divide. Tribal College, 12 (3). Retrieved October 10, 2005, from Ethnic Newswatch. Dorr, J., Akeroyd, R. (2001). New Mexico Tribal Libraries: Bridging the Digital Divide. Computers in Libraries, 21 (9), 36-42. Gordon, A.C., Dorr, J., Gordon, M. (2003). Native American technology access: the Gates Foundation in Four Corners. The Electronic Library, 21 (5), 428-434. Gorski, P.C. (2002). Dismantling the Digital Divide: A Multicultural Education Framework. Multicultural Education, 10 (1), 28-30. Gorski, P.C. (2003). Privilege and Repression in the Digital Era: Rethinking the Sociopolitics of the Digital Divide. Race, Gender & Class, 10(4). Retrieved October 09, 2005 from Ethnic Newswatch. U.S. Census Bureau. (2000). Statistical abstract of the United�����States. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Education Statistics (2003). Computer and Internet Use by Children and Adolescents in 2001. Washington, DC. V. Bydone (personal communication, October 13, 2005)