The Same, but Different: Indigenous Knowledge Retention, Erosion, and Innovation in the Brazilian Amazon

On By moppenneer

This study explores how indigenous knowledge (IK) might be retained and/or changed among contemporary indigenous peoples. Through semi-structured interviews and quantitative analyses of long-term changes in artistic knowledge among three geographically displaced Kaiabi (Kawaiwete) we found an association between language proficiency and gender with greater IK retention, and formal schooling […]

 •   •   •   •   •   •   •   •   • 

Achieving ICT for Development Project Success by Altering Context, Not Technology

On By moppenneer

When explaining the failure of information and communication technologies for development (ICT4D) projects, researchers often turn to differences between how designers perceive and users experience the context of technology use. According to these explanations, ICT4D projects fail because designers take an uninformed stance toward context. The ICT4D literature offers four approaches for how […]

 •   •   •   •   • 

Challenges Faced in Overcoming Indigenous Digital Divide in Brazil

On By moppenneer

This paper’s objective is to identify the level of digital inclusion made possible by Brazilian digital divide program Electronic Government – Citizen Attention Service (Governo Eletrônico – Serviço de Atendimento ao Cidadão – Gesac) on indigenous lands. We are guided by Brazilian sociologist Bernardo Sorj’s five level digital inclusion system: […]

 •   •   •   •   • 

Social Media: Brazil’s Indigenous Tribes Go Online in their Struggle To Be Heard

On By moppenneer

Brazil has several marginalized groups that often don’t have a voice in government decision-making and are invisible to the majority of the country’s population. One such group, the country’s indigenous tribes, must constantly fight for their land against farmers and developers. Conflicts arise regularly but very few of them reach […]

 •   •   •   •   • 

Data Inclusion Projects in Developing Countries: Processes of Institutionalisation

On By moppenneer

This paper concerns digital inclusion projects in developing countries and, in particular, focuses on processes of institutionalisation of such projects. Three case studies are described and analysed. The first is the Akshaya telecentre project in the state of Kerala in India. The second is a community-based ICT project in a […]

 •   •   •   •   •   •   •   • 

Trading Bows and Arrows for Laptops? The Paiter Surui People & Google Earth…

On By moppenneer

I’ve been following the curious story of Chief Almir Surui and his relationship with Google Earth since 2007. I was delighted to see that Mashable ran an article about the Pater Surui which allowed me to catch up with what has transpired over the last five years (however, I was […]

 •   •   •   •   •   • 

The Asháninka and the Internet

On By moppenneer

The other day, I found an IDRC report about the Asháninka and their use of the Internet dating back to 2000. Coincidentally, the Atlantic just ran a post about the Asháninka based on some photos and text released by Survival International. I have cobbled various bits together below with the […]

 •   •   •   •   •   •   •   •   •   •