Paper short abstract:

Our First Nation Identity is based on the common consciousness that is derived from our teachings through ceremony. Our society understands the responsibility of building a world that is sustainable and safe, it is our duty. As Chief Seattle stated, “We do not inherit the earth from our parents, we borrow it from our children.”

Paper long abstract:

AI promises efficiencies in everyday life and connectivity to build a wider more inclusive community. The positive aspects of AI are endless. Mitigating the negative impacts is essential.

AI was introduced in our FN community(ies) in the midst of our healing journey from the devastating negative impacts of colonization and assimilation policy.

The separation from our land and community was harmful, the same separation from the community can be seen in technology today. The human spirit of our children and future generations has become a battle. The disruption this technology has caused interferes and delays the healing process. The imbalance created by colonization will take decades to reverse.

We lived peacefully by following the original Instructions. These were passed down through the generations. These natural laws instruct how to survive as human beings and to live in harmony with the world around us. Building a safe future for our children means we incorporate and uphold the following teachings:

1) Harmony: Balance must be achieved to live in harmony.

2) Governance/Laws (Regulations) there is order in the universe.

3) Accountability (share the principles of sacred laws)

To lessen the harm that technology may cause to the human spirit, we have adopted the following:

1) Land-Based learning. Connection to land and self (spirit).

2) Language retention: Language is the blueprint of a culture.

3) Creator Laws: Are important for order and survival.

There’s order in the universe. May the laws of Pastowin and Ocinawin be the guiding principles as we navigate in building a safe and sustainable future.

Paper short abstract:

Before pre-contact, Indigenous people lived in their homelands for thousands of years in North America. Indigenous people thrived and prospered while they lived in their natural world. They survived and lived in harmony with nature. Indigenous people have always respected their world, the earth, the land, and the universe. They always held a special reverence and connection and relationship to the land. Indigenous people view the universe, the sun, the moon, the stars, the animals, and the water as their relatives.

Paper long abstract:

Today, we are in a time of technology. As a First Nation, Anishinaabe Indigenous woman, I am concerned for the future of my grandchildren and all children and for the ones that are yet to be born. What kind of a future will they have, and is there a future for them? What will it look like? Are there going to be any trees left for them as the earth continues to be exploited by humans? The waters, the oceans, the rivers, and the lakes continue to be polluted and poisoned. As humanity, we must speak for the earth and speak for the children, including all life.

Technology is being used today for almost everything that we do daily. Technology can be good, and it can be harmful. Humans build technology. They are the creators of technology, using their abilities, intelligence, and capacity to build and create. Technology has disconnected people from their core values of a way of life and their life skills and life experience. Technology has disconnected people from their experiential learning, especially young people. Young people should be out on the land, participating in mentorship and leadership training and learning a way of life that their ancestors have enjoyed for many generations. This way of life has included hunting, fishing, trapping, bush skills, cooking, chopping wood, tending to a fire, food preparation, canning, drying meat, food harvesting, food preservation, and drying berries. With young people being immersed constantly in technology, they get distracted. Young people sit in front of video games constantly. The video games they play are an addiction, and they are addicted to their games. Technology harms their physical, cognitive, emotional and spiritual health and wellbeing. When youth constantly sit in front of a video game, they are not involved in any physical activity unless their video game involves physical movement or exercise. Some children play video games beyond midnight and become very exhausted the next day, affecting and impacting their learning. For children to have good health and wellness, they must have strong mentorship and leadership, including a spiritual foundation, and be mentored with good mentorship of life skills and leadership. Young people today are learning academics in education, but many do not understand that all life is sacred and that they are spiritual beings, and that all life must be honoured and respected and valued. I think about the wars in the world, and technology is used to create bombs, armour, and ammunition. This weaponry kills innocent lives, and many children die daily from war and famine. Women and children are sexually exploited, and human trafficking occurs.

In today’s world, it sure does not look very promising for youth to grow up in a safe way. How will people be protected from harm in the future as technology is built and evolves? Children’s lives are being threatened every day. What type of regulations are discussed to protect children and assure their safety. Is there going to be some way to monitor that all life is protected and not manipulated to cause harm to others?

During the pandemic, we could connect and communicate with each other using technology. However, not all people have access to technology. Many First Nation communities live in remote and isolated communities. They do not have the resources.

As technology continues to be developed and built and advanced, there must be careful proceedings and approached with extreme caution that humanity does not disrespect the earth, the land and the universe. My late father used to say in my Anishinaabe language Angomissin, which translates to “take caution.”

The earth does not belong to people. People belong to the earth. All things are connected like the blood that unites us all. People did not weave the web of life. We are merely a strand in it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves -Chief Seattle. We must understand that the universe has a spirit. To Indigenous people, the universe and the earth are alive. The earth is our mother, and she is the original mother to us all. We are all related and interconnected to all life. If we do not look after our earth, nature will show us, like we are now experiencing with all the environmental disasters occurring worldwide like floods and forest fires. On the land, there are natural laws. They are the Seven Sacred Laws and Spiritual Laws of Respect, Love, Courage, Honesty, Wisdom, Humility, and Truth. These are Seven Sacred Laws and are spiritual laws embedded in all life. In our original values and teachings, we all have a sacred duty and responsibility in conducting ourselves as we continue to live our lives on our Earth Mother.

Paper short abstract:

Despite the challenges we hear about in the news about the dire circumstances in First Nations communities and life on reserves, internet technology helps families’ access information that may contribute to their wellbeing spiritually, physically, emotionally and cognitively. First Nations throughout history have adapted to almost every situation they have encountered since the arrival of Europeans to North America. The loss of traditional food sources, economy and way of life has negatively impacted First Nations’ traditional way of life. In addition to these changes, diseases, residential schools, the Indian Act, and policies of ethnocide almost wiped out the entire population. Fortunately, First Nations are resilient and continue to adapt to the ever-changing environment and challenges of the 21st century, including adapting to a newly technological society. Many First Nations have adjusted to these new technologies and continue to revive and recover to a new way of being. Internet technology has provided First Nations with tools of accessibility including access to social platforms such as Facebook where they routinely share information, ideas and events on a daily basis about themselves, their families, or issues and successes they want to share with the public at large.

Paper long abstract:

There are many ways internet technology improves the lives of First Nations members living on reserve. IT is a tool that can be used to share information about issues affecting the community such as the recent pandemic. Social, spiritual, and special events such as weddings, funerals or elections can all be shared online. If there is a pending lockdown or restrictions, posting information on social media has the ability to reach a large audience in a short time. Information technology is a way of relaying information quickly to large groups of people and it motivates individuals to improve their lives by posting videos of successes they have achieved personally and professionally. Social media provides a forum to teach the language (Anishinabemowin) and culture (mino pimatisiwin) on a daily basis. Private groups are created on social media to share pictures and stories about families, genealogy and history of the community and families living in the community. This information is shared publicly which in turn provides relatives (children who were removed from their communities through the sixties scoop or apprehension from child and family services) to find their families and loved ones. This group is a way to connect with long-lost relatives and keep up to date with family members and friends.

Recently, a young man named Carl was motivated to improve his physical health after he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. He did some research and made a personal commitment to share his story about living with diabetes. Carl did it by posting photos and videos of his present condition and devised a healing plan that included exercise and eating healthy. Each morning he would post the exercise he did each day to show the audience the hope of influencing others in his community. Each week he posted a new exercise and samples of healthy food he consumes while staying away from processed and other unhealthy foods to reverse the effect of diabetes.

Another member in the community posted a phrase of the day in his Anishinabemowin language. Each day he would discuss the weather, how he was feeling or describe a situation or event. He would say the phrase and give the English version as well. The language speaker was proud to share his language with a larger audience. These videos can be used for future reference for others to learn about their traditional language.

Life on reserve can be challenging due to the many social conditions such as lack of safe drinking water and substance abuse that was created historically through oppressive policies such as the Indian Act in Canada. The Indian Act was created to control and erode First Nations’ identity and way of life on their traditional territories. Despite these unjust conditions, First Nations’ resilience continues to thrive and survive on their lands. Information Technology and access to social media provide a public platform to inform the larger community intimate details about how First Nations continue to live in a modern world. Culture in Indigenous communities was never static. First Nations culture, by way of its fluidity, will continue to evolve with the ever-changing societies in which they live. The way of life on reserve may not meet the ideals and standards imposed by colonization, but First Nations continue to remain loyal to their traditional ceremonies, worldviews and their relationship to the land and Gitchi Manitou (creator).