Mackenzie Valdez, a Grade 11 student at Caledonia Senior Secondary School, explores how technology can both challenge and support Indigenous cultural preservation in her school project.
Drawing from her own mixed Filipino and Tsimshian heritage, Mackenzie reflects on how modern technology helps reclaim lost traditions, like language, that were impacted by colonization and residential schools.
Despite its dark sides—such as misinformation and cultural appropriation—Mackenzie highlights the positive impact of digital tools like language-learning apps (e.g., Smalgyax) and platforms like TikTok, which help Indigenous people reconnect with their culture.
A key focus of her project is Canada’s First Nation Radio (CFNR), where her mother works as a news reporter.
CFNR is a crucial platform for sharing Indigenous news, cultural events and sports, like Hobiyee and All Native Tournament, and cultural stories.
Through her interviews with CFNR staff, Mackenzie emphasizes how the station amplifies Indigenous voices and fosters a sense of community, particularly through shows like *Good Medicine*, which discusses health and cultural teachings.
Mackenzie concludes that technology, when used intentionally, supports cultural preservation by improving representation, providing learning opportunities, and amplifying Indigenous voices. Her project highlights how technology, far from interfering with culture, can empower Indigenous communities and help reclaim their heritage.
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