In the late 1990s, Americans for Indian Opportunity convened a gathering around Native and Indigenous technology. It was the first national conversation on how technology and the (emerging) internet could affect Native America and tribal communities. In the past thirty years, technological developments have exploded with new innovations occurring at an incredible pace. Yet, Native and Indigenous communities continue to struggle with access to technology, dedicated capacity for technology and, most importantly, a lack of understanding of overlooked Indigenous technologies, many of which have helped sustain communities through centuries of complications and strife. To remedy this, Indigenous peoples and communities need less technology for technologies sake and rather need space for conversations and collective planning that is wholly Indigenous and community-led.

 

Based on our success with both the Indigenous Pop Culture Expo (IPX) and the Indigenous Futurisms Festival in expanding the space and conversations where Native and Indigenous people are rarely included, we have developed the iWow - Indigenous Worlds of Wonder initiative!

 

Beginning with a gathering of groups, communities, and like-minded individuals, we seek to create a space where Indigenous thought-leaders, futurists, youth and elders can engage in meaningful conversations, relationship-building, and action-planning around the broader view of technology and its implementation in Indigenous communities and societies. We seek to learn from participants and develop strategies on how to blend and connect technology and tradition to ensure Native and Indigenous communities are not further marginalized but build upon ancestral knowledge in a way that is culturally relevant and generationally sustainable. We hope to affirm that traditional technologies are critical to finding solutions for many current issues and that the Westernized approach to technology is reoriented in a way that builds on and supports traditional ways of being and knowing. 

 

In this way, we view iWoW as part expo, part (un)conference, and part anchor for long-term, systemic change. The gathering itself will serve as launch point for a broader initiative regarding Indigenous Technology and how we can further engage global Indigenous communities in weaving together a strong and sustainable Indigenous future. Following the gathering, we will launch our ongoing programming, which will include: 

•    Community-led, community-informed technology needs assessments

•    Direct individual follow ups and strategic planning support 

•    Media spotlights and profiles of participants and communities.

•    Connections and networking with STEM-focused organizations

•    Ongoing advocacy (for community needs) and coordination for Indigenous technological support efforts. 

 

Participants will include tribal leaders, national and local government leaders, Indigenous futurists, educators, elders, and Native youth. These participants will have the chance to connect and interact a the iWoW gathering, as well as spread their impact in and throughout their communities. We have precedent for this kind of impact in the work of Americans for Indian Opportunity and the WK Kellogg Community Learning Exchange model. 

 

Over the long term, we view iWoW as an integral aspect of the mission and vision of Native Realities in engaging and inspiring Indigenous youth and communities through innovative experiences and culturally dynamic, deeply resonant programming.