Documentation:Toolkit for the Digitization of First Nations Knowledge/INTRODUCTION
Introduction
Indigitization is a collaborative project between the Irving K. Barber Learning Centre (IKBLC), the First Nations Technology Council (FNTC), and three First Nations communities: Heiltsuk, Ktunaxa, and 'Namgis. Other contributors include UBC's Museum of Anthropology (MOA), School for Library,Archival and Information Studies (SLAIS), and the First Nations House of Learning (FNHL). This project seeks to clarify processes and identify issues in the conservation and digitization of First Nations community information resources.
Project Summary
The aim of the project is to:
First, assist the partner communities in developing their processes and policies for a digitization project, and
Second, develop a toolkit that can be published and made available to other First Nations Communities wishing to engage in digitization.
The Learning Centre hopes that some of the digitized materials from the demonstration projects will be publicly shared, but this is not a required component of the project. The decision regarding public access to any digitized information rests entirely with each First Nation.
Purpose of the Toolkit
The purpose of the toolkit is to provide a reference document as well as a series of templates for BC First Nations communities interested in undertaking digitization projects. The Indigitization toolkit also fits into a broader goal to provide support to First Nations communities in the management of their information.
The toolkit is based on the combined experiences of the three pilot projects in the three First Nations community partners in the Indigitization project. It is also informed by industry standards and sound practices in the area of digitization.
By supporting digitization projects and building capacity in First Nation communities, the toolkit is a stepping stone in safe guarding future generations’ access to valuable community information as well as ensuring the long term preservation of these resources.
Project Partners
‘Namgis, Ktunaxa and Heiltsuk are the community partners. These organizations are contributors to project planning, digitization of content and creation of the toolkit, as well as potential conference presenters or publication co-authors. The local project teams are expected to report generically on the types of discussions and debates that occur in their communities and to share their community’s solutions to addressing concerns or other issues encountered during their local digitization projects.
FNTC is also a community partner. FNTC contributes to the analysis of resulting documentation, creation of the toolkit, and conference presentations or publication authorship. IKBLC, FNHL, MOA and SLAIS are the UBC partners. IKBLC contributes funding and technical expertise. Team members from respective departments advise on issues of First Nations knowledge and digitization, contribute to the analysis of resulting documentation, creation of the toolkit, and conference presentations or publication authorship.
Community Partners
| Sue Hanley
Coordinator, First Nations Technology Council (FNTC) 1108 - 100 Park Royal South West Vancouver, BC V7T 1A2 T: (604) 921-9939
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Michelle Barroca
Records and Information Specialist, Ktunaxa Nation Council 7468 Mission Road Cranbrook, BC V1C 7E5 T: (250) 417-4022 ext. 3175
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| Brian Svanvik
GIS Coordinator, Technical Services Department Namgis Nation P.O. Box 210, 49 Atli Street Alert Bay, BC V0N 1A0 T: (250) 974-5556 ext. 3263 |
Jennifer Carpenter
Director, Heiltsuk Cultural Education Centre Heiltsuk Nation P.O. Box 880, 220 Wabalisla Street Bella Bella, BC V0T 1Z0 T: (250) 957-2303 ext. 23 |
UBC Partners
| Simon Neame
Director, Irving K. Barber Learning Centre (IKBLC) University of British Columbia 1961 East Mall Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1 T: (604) 822-3096 |
Lisa Nathan
Assistant Professor, Coordinator, First Nations Concentration, School of Library, Archival, and Information Studies (SLAIS) Irving K. Barber Learning Centre University of British Columbia Suite 470 – 1961 East Mall Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1 T: (604) 822-1574
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| Linc Kesler
Director, First Nations House of Learning (FNHL) Director, First Nations Studies Program Sr. Advisor to the President on Aboriginal Affairs First Nations House of Learning University of British Columbia 1985 West Mall Vancouver BC V6T 1Z2 T: (604) 822-3071
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Ann Stevenson
Information Manager, Audrey and Harry Hawthorne Library and Archives Museum of Anthropology, UBC 6393 N.W. Marine Drive Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2 T: (604) 822.5617 |
| Gerry Lawson
Coordinator, Oral History Language Lab Museum of Anthropology, UBC 6393 N.W. Marine Drive Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z2 T: (604) 822.5317 |
Mimi Lam
Librarian, Digital Projects Digital Initiatives, UBC Library Irving K. Barber Learning Centre 1961 East Mall Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1 T: (604) 827-3455 |