‘A long way into the future'
Abenaki technology workshop lays foundation for tomorrow’s engineers 

Written by Jedd Kettler   Thursday, 16 November 2006County Courier - http://www.thecountycourier.com 

Ouimette and other budding Abenaki engineers had a chance to learn some weird and interesting things during a science workshop in Swan-ton Saturday, Nov. 10, when they built working sirens, lights, and machines that spun small, red propellors into the air.

The event, held at the Abenaki Self-Help Center in Swanton, is part of a series of computer workshops and interactive demonstrations sponsored by IBM to provide Native Americans across the United States with access, training, and a chance to explore technology.

Organizer Paul Bell, who is a 30-year IBM employee in Essex Junction, as well as a member of the St. Francis/Sokoki Abenaki Tribal Council, said the drive to help Abenaki youth understand and use technology — and possibly turn it into future careers — is a natural one.

"Frankly, for me, it's what we can do to help the kids. The primary focus is on the children, and that's a cultural thing. Abenaki have a seven-generation outlook. We look a long way into the future, or try to," he said.

This is also a natural time to make such efforts.

November is National American Indian Heritage Month, and also marks the start of Native American Family Technology Journey 2006, a national public awareness program sponsored by IBM and spearheaded by Native employees.

The aim of Saturday's program — led by seven Abenaki IBM employees — was to interest young Abenaki in science and computer technology by offering them more than just ones and zeros.

"It's not just math. This is the fun side of it," said IBM computer engineer Kevin Gorman, 29. "We want kids to have the best future they can, and part of that, we believe, is science and technology ... And we want it to be fun."

In 2005, the volunteers brought a similar program that had the students building and operating small robots.

"They really seem to have a good time," said environmental engineer Candice Bell, 28.

Bell and Gorman, who are both Abenaki who grew up in the northwest part of Vermont, are part of the Native American Diversity Network Group at IBM, which has worked on four programs in Swanton in two years. Some have been aimed at youth, others at adults.

While 1st graders through high-schoolers delved into circuits and power supplies in one room Saturday, in the next room parents examined the unexpected challenges technology can sometimes brings with it.

John Halligan, an IBM employee who lost his son, Ryan, to suicide, talked about internet safety and cyber-bullying.

In this day and age, when so much is accessible online, parents should set guidelines and boundaries for their children, Halligan told parents during the presentation.

"You've got to do something. You can't just set up the thing and walk away," Halligan said. The anonymity of the internet sometimes makes it easier to for children to pressure or hurt their peers, he said. "You get really numb and really insensitive to what you're doing."

Other adult programs have focused on basic computer skills, such as word-processing, spreadsheets and use of the internet. IBM has also donated all of the computers at the Abenaki Self-Help Center, opening access to still others in the community who might otherwise not use the technology.

While a 1999 study by the U.S. Department of Commerce indicated that Native Americans had less access to such technologies — which "are quickly becoming essential to success" — bridging the "digital divide" is part of why Bell feels compelled to get in involved.

"A piece of it is pride; pride in your heritage, who you are and where you're from," Bell said. "I would like to see my people have the same opportunities."

                 To see the full article .. on it's original form , please click on the link below:

        http://www.thecountycourier.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=3548