K-Net team participates in University of Manitoba research on "Increasing Aboriginal Social Capital"
Over the past year, Keewaytinook Okimakanak's K-Net program participated in the research project lead by the University of Manitoba studying how ICTs support the development of social capital in First Nations.
On Friday, January 25, researchers at the University of Manitoba hosted a one day symposium to review and discuss their findings for a report entitled "Information and Communication Technology in Aboriginal Communities in Canada: Increasing Aboriginal Social Capital".
The study was lead by the University of Manitoba team of Javier Mignone, Heather Henley, Jason Brown, John O’Neil and Wendy Ross. It was funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and the Crossing Boundaries Research Initiative under the research Theme, Increasing Aboriginal Social Capital.
The study consisted of an initial draft discussion paper on the topic and a series of five roundtable sessions in different regions across the country with First Nations, Métis and Inuit experts and stakeholders organized to discuss the content and direction of Aboriginal community information and communication technology (ICT) networks in Canada. The one-day national symposium was organized with the participation of approximately 25 key stakeholders, experts and practitioners from Aboriginal organizations and other relevant entities, to discuss the final document. The symposium focused on the issues raised throughout the study and helped to formulate policy and research recommendations on the topic.