As a kid, the impact of the internet was becoming increasingly apparent. During my time in high school, internet video gaming was booming, and the power and availability of “smartphones” was taking off. In 2022, the amount of technological achievements are amazing and vast, ranging from: Artificial Intelligence (AI) work, affordable sequencing of human genomes, foldable phones, and live-streaming of high-definition recordings. Unfortunately, the Lac du Flambeau community, along with other “rural” Native nations are left behind in receiving these technologies, benefiting from them, or are directly harmed by these technologies.
We need to prioritize the integration of newer technologies into our everyday lives and at Tribal workplaces. Technologies that allow all of our Tribal members and descendants access to high-speed internet, user-friendly devices for elders and disabled, and formal and informal training access to learn about and use these technologies. The world is moving at high speeds and if our members can’t search or download the needed information for their education (e.g., journal articles, books), attend a virtual meeting or classroom to learn or network, or operate their online business, we run the risk of our members being forced to move from our homelands to accomplish their personal and career goals.
As a part-time student at Lac Courte Oreilles University, I’ve greatly benefited from being able to take my courses online via Zoom. Combining the school’s devotion to having hybrid courses and having access to a working computer with a camera, I can seamlessly hop into class and learn Ojibwemowin and meet fellow Anishinaabe. How will our Tribal members who want to stay closer to home get trained if their only option is to be in-person and move far away for an unknown amount of time? Will our current and future Tribal elders be left behind as some older technologies become less common and supported, like cable TV?
Another problem we run into is the number of jobs in Lac du Flambeau are finite and limited in scope. Tribal members on the reservation are capped in what level and type of work online they can do on and near the reservation. For example, Native artists in the area have to rely on locals, who are limited in their numbers, and tourists, who are around seasonally. Native artists throughout the continent are benefiting from high-speed internet and website building access through their online shops or social media pages. At the same time, Native content creators are building careers from home by streaming content such as beading circles, interviews, video game playthroughs, podcast productions, or tutorials. And we have Natives who can work in technology, project management, writing, and teaching from our Lands!
By increasing the training opportunities, and access to high-speed internet and shared tools (e.g., computer programs like Microsoft Word), we will increase the possibilities for Tribal members to (1) build careers that can be done remotely on the reservation, (2) increase technology competency so our Tribal membership can learn about new technologies and teach each other about them, (3) understand and critique new technologies so we can make informed decisions about their use, and (4) be a leader in technology for other Tribal nations to follow. We must move beyond past expectations of moving far away to accomplish all of our goals, and that all technology will benefit us equally.