Forward Thinking

Open Worlds

Open Worlds: A techno-cultural approach to communication is a vast concept that weaves common sense, critical services, technological advances and culture to address many complex, long-standing issues prevalent in Aboriginal communities.

This technological framework will support access to and implementation of training and education, increased interagency communication and collaborations, and enhanced organizational and community development opportunities that will ultimately result in self-sufficiency of urban Aboriginal people and organizations. By equipping each community-based Friendship Centre with current and emerging technologies, ensuring adequate training and increased youth mentorship opportunities, coupled with strong administrative and technical supports at the ANFCA, Friendship Centres will be poised to address an array of challenges and opportunities. From distance education to economic ventures, and on to resource sharing and cultural preservation; this technology has a place in the Friendship Centre infrastructure.

Access to the transmission of digital data has created the framework for a global, rapid-growth industry that has provided numerous benefits to the Canadian and international economies. Further integration into internet-based technologies includes Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP); iFax; and videoconferencing. Emerging social media tools - RSS, blogs, file-sharing sites such as YouTube, and social networking sites such as MySpace—have the capability to transform how Aboriginal organizations and businesses engage and interact with their clients and stakeholders. Not only will these tools and technologies change the way in which we perceive communication, the technology is ready to increase productivity, reduce costs and travel time.