This video documentary and the accompanying paper were created by Daniel C. Hottle in fulfillment of requirements for his Masters degree in Digital Storytelling from Ball State University.
From the BSU Digital Storytelling website: “This action research study examines the roles emerging digital technologies play in the cultural preservation efforts of indigenous Australians. It illustrates the need for cultural preservation of indigenous knowledge to be conducted within the strictest ethnographic context in respects to protecting the intellectual property rights of Australian Aboriginals. The study provides substantial evidence that digital technologies are in fact being embraced by indigenous communities to preserve and protect their languages and cultural practices, and that they will continue to be a vital resource as long as indigenous and non-indigenous leaders can effectively collaborate to ensure traditional heritage values are supported and respected.”
About Daniel Cameron Hottle
As a U.S. Marine Corps Combat Correspondent, Dan was among the first U.S. Marine Special Forces troops to enter Afghanistan immediately following the U.S. terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 to begin the search for Osama bin Laden. Dan coordinated and led an international press pool from a remote terrorist training camp near Kandahar, Afghanistan, producing global breaking news for nearly every major television network in the world including CNN, NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, Reuters, the Associated Press and SKY Network . He was also a two-time recipient of the military’s Journalist of the Year award.
Dan’s 20-year career in journalism and public relations has propelled him into the heart of numerous crises and triumphs around the world across all levels of international government and through many top multinational corporations. He currently owns WolfLab Productions, a video production company in Indianapolis, where he suffers odd video jobs to pay the bills, while happily agonizing over documentary projects to satisfy his all-consuming love of storytelling. [update: Dan is currently serving as Public Affairs Officer at Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming]
Daniel holds B.A. International Public Affairs (Department of Defense Information School and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst) – and a Masters in Digital Storytelling (Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana).
[source]