It would be ridiculous to think of indigenous people as being pre-modern and anti-technological because it’s not true. For example, looking back at the indigenous throughout the ages we can see that they could develop methods of “binary mathematics, categorization, classification, cartography, technique, and literacy. There were the codices of Tenochtitlan, pictographic and woven systems for inscribing and calculating trade histories and outcomes, Incan quipu, bas-relief, astronomy, and, of course, the Mayan calendar and the continuing work of the Daykeepers.” (Duarte, 12).
The Idle No More movement is an example of technology being used by indigenous people. Idle No More is a Canadian protest movement made up of the First Nations to encourage environmental protection and indigenous sovereignty. During these protests, smartphones were used to record videos of flash mobs of circle dances in public places, such as shopping malls and city parks. Even though these videos didn’t get used by mainstream media, they still spread virally through social media sites such as YouTube, Facebook, and Twitter.
Native Americans are also using technology to reach large audiences using a small amount of resources. They have lost languages and traditions because of integrating Native Americans into white society. Technology, such as the Internet, has created a revival in these lost Native American cultures and languages. Using YouTube videos and Facebook groups, people can now learn these lost languages and traditions and educate themselves.
Works Cited
Al-Asfour, Ahmed., Staying Connected: How Technology Can Help Revive Native American Cultures, Traditions, and Languages, https://tribalcollegejournal.org/staying-connected-technology-can-help-revive-native-american-cultures-traditions-languages/, 6 Feb 2014.
Duarte, Marisa Elena., Network Sovereignty: Building the Internet Across Indian Country, University of Washington Press, Seattle, Washington, 2017