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First peoples and the Internet

Gladys Smiley Bell is coordinator of electronic information services at Kent State University Libraries, Ohio; e-mail: gbell@kentvm. kent. edu

Electronic access to research and interac- tive communication for and about Native

Americans is available in a variety of ways, and growing dramatically in number and scope. What was once an esoteric tool used only by scientists and engineers, the Internet is now having a dramatic impact on ethnic cultures, including Native Americans. Throughout this overview of Native American resources on the Internet the terms Native North Americans, In- dians, American Indians, Native Americans, Ab- original peoples, first peoples, and others are used interchangeably.

The information superhighway trek begins by accessing a document entitled “Public Access to the Internet: American Indian and Alaskan Native Issues” by George D. Baldwin (Henderson State University). Baldwin helped launch American Telecommunications (AIT), the first nonprofit group dedicated to promoting the grassroots Native American computing movement.¹ The document provides a historical and critical overview of communication, technology, and Indian Culture. Access: URL: ftp://ftp.NIC.MERIT.EDU/conference. proceedings/harvard.pubaccess.symposium/ network.communities/ networking.nations.txt.

Electronic discussion lists

• AISESnet. American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) Network. This electronic list provides communication and information for AISES chapters, students and faculty associated with AISES, and for members of industry and government. AISES membership is open to all, including non-AISES members. The list is divided into four groups: 1) AISESnet General: topics include AISES issues, position openings, scholarship announcements, AISES chapter communications, conference information, AISES events and announcements, powwow information, topics of general interest, and chapter newsletters; 2) AISESnet Discussion: intended for the discussion of Native American issues, engineering and science issues, public opinion, creative writing, etc.; 3) Alcohol & Drug: deals only with drug- and alcohol-related issues, and will provide information as well as support; participation is anonymous and return address labels will not be shown in the messages sent out by AISESnet; 4) AISESnet Drums: a distribution list dedicated to drum groups, it will only deal with issues concerning drum groups, pow-wow drum groups, drum building, pow-wow singers, etc.

When you subscribe to AISESnet, you will be added automatically to the AISESnet General and AISESnet Discussions lists. You must indicate that you would like to subscribe to the AISESnet Drums and/or the Alcohol & Drug list as well. There are four AISESnet gopher databases: student resumes, AISESnet membership directory, job listings, and submissions (archives). Access: aisesnet@selway.umt.edu. Based on information provided by Borries Demeler, AISESnet listowner; demeler@selway. umt.edu.

• INDIANnet. Census Information and Computer Network Center. This is the first national computer listseiv to provide civic information useful to American Indian and Alaskan Natives. Services include computer conferences and private electronic mail for Indian tribes, nonprofit organizations, and individuals. It includes federal information such as the Federal Register, Employment Opportunities, Environmental Protection Agency data, U.S. Census data and Geographic Information System (TIGER) files. There is also a specialized collection of American Indian and Alaskan Native research reports extracted from the Educational Research Information Clearinghouse (ERIC). There is an amazing collection of authentic electronic Indian artwork and graphics. The most ambitious project is the Tribal Profiles Database. Access: listserv@spruce.hsu.edu. Based on information provided by George Baldwin, INDIANnet director; baldwin@holly.hsu.edu.

• INDKNOW. For discussion of Indigenous Knowledge Systems. Access: listserv@uwavm.u. washington.edu.

• IROQUOIS. Iroquoian Language discussion. Access: listserv@vm.utcc.utoronto.edu.

• NativeNet. An overlapping set of electronic discussion lists that also have overlapping memberships and are organized by topic. NAT-1492 is a Columbus quincentenary mailing list dealing specifically with the 500th anniversary of Columbus’s voyage to the “New World,” and the havoc that ensued for the native people of the Americas. Access: listserv@tamvml.tamu.edu. NATCHAT provides a forum for general discussion pertaining to indigenous people of the world. Access: listserv@tamvml.tamu.edu. NATIVE-L, Indigenous Peoples Information, provides a general forum for exchanging information and perspectives on matters relating to the indigenous people of the world. Access: listserv@ tamvml.tamu.edu. (NATIVE-L and NATCHAT are “gatewayed” with the soc.culture.native Usenet newsgroup in such a way that any message posted to soc.culture.native will be sent to a NativeNet moderator who (if s/he approves) will relay the posting to either the NATIVE-L or NATCHAT mailing list. Any message posted to mailing addresses attached to these two lists will authomatically be sent to soc.culture.native.) NAT-HLTH, Health Issues of Native Peoples. Access: listserv@tamvml. tamu.edu. NAT-LANG, a discussion list for exchanging information concerning the languages of indigenous people. Access: listserv@tamvml. tamu.edu. NAT-EDU deals with issues regarding the provision of culturally sensitive educational programs for native people and better and more accurate educational materials concerning native people for mainstream students.

Access:listserv@indycms.iupui.edu. Based on information provided by Gary Trujillo, NativeNet listowner; gst@gnosys.svle.ma.us.

• NATIVE-LIT-L. Native American Literature by autochthonous people of the North Americas (the U.S., Canada, and Mexico) and neighboring islands, including Hawaii. Discussions are open to any aspect of native literature as well as book reviews; articles about poetry, fiction, and criticism; information about publications, talks, and conferences; and general chit-chat about native literature. Access: listserv@comell.edu. Based on information provided by Michael Wilson, Native-Lit-L listowner; idoy@cruxl .cit.comell.edu.

• NativeProfs-L. Private electronic list for the Association of American Indian & Alaskan Native Professors.

• NIPC. National Indian Policy Research Institute Electronic Clearinghouse. An information clearinghouse on a wide range of policy issues to the 500 U.S. Native American tribes since 1990. Access: listserv@gwuvm.gwu.edu.

Anonymous ftp site

• Contains documents pertaining to Native Americans. Access: URL: ftp://ftp.cit.comell.edu/ pub/ special/NativProfs/usenet.

Gopher sites

• Native American Net Server. Server home for files pertaining to Native Americans. The bulletin board system is also available for posting notices about things for sale and upcoming events. Access: URL: gopher:// alphal.csd.uwm.edu/UW M Information/The Native American Net.

• UC-Berkeley Library gopher. Native American Studies Section. Access: URL: gopher: //infolib.lib.berkeley.edu, port 70/Research Databases and Resources by Subject/Ethnic Stud- ies/Native American Studies.

UseNet newsgroups

Local computer services staff should be consulted to find out what the availability and procedures are for access to: alt.native, soc.culture.indian.american, soc.culture.native, soc. culture. native, american.

Other significant electronic resources

• ACTIV-L. Activists for peace, empowerment, human rights, justice, etc. Access: listserv@mizzou 1 .missouri. edu.

• Educational Native American Network

(ENAN). Call (505) 277-7310 for password and 800 number for dial-in access and information. (Scheduled soon for Internet access.) Established by and for the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the Office of Indian Education Programs (OIEP) schools serving American Indian children. The network provides teachers with access to a wide range of information on technical assistance and training resources. Through the network, teachers are able to share information on effective practices and classroom ideas; access curriculum materials and resources related to Indian education from universities, museums, etc.; and take online courses. It also supports multiple classroom site instructional projects.

• Molis. Minority On-line Information Service. Provides comprehensive information on Native American, black, and Hispanic minority colleges and universities. Access: URL: ftp:// ftp.fie.com or URL: gopher://gopher.fie.com or URL: telnet://fedix.fie.com or URL: http:// www.fie.com.

• ORTRAD-L. Discussion regarding studies in oral tradition for all those interested in the world’s living oral traditions (e.g., African, Hispanic, Native American, etc.). Access: listserv‹ãmizzoul .missouri.edu.

Conclusion

Taking a hike using Veronica to search gopher sites revealed all of the above information. For more information on electronic resources for Native Americans take a ride on the information superhighway using gopher, Mosaic, Cello, or Lynx, and consult the following:

• Directory of Scholarly Electronic Conferences. 8th Revision, listserv‹ãkentvm. kent.edu (get acadlist file<no.>) or URL: ftp:// ksuvxa.kent.edu/library.

• Art McGee. Natvlnfo. Access: URL: ftp:// ftp.netcom.com/pub/amcgee/indigenous/ my_indigenous_related_lists.

Note

1. A. J. S. Rayl, “New technologies, ancient cultures; use of computer and information technology by Native Americans,” Omni 15 (August 1993): 46-48.