Abstract | A new Canadian research cluster, RICTA - Research on ICT with Aboriginal Communities - is building a national network of connectivity, knowledge and relationships committed to using social science and humanities perspectives for ICT development. The RICTA cluster is a critical mass of knowledge that Aboriginal communities can both contribute to and tap into on their paths to achieving their aspirations. RICTA 2005 - the founding RICTA meeting held in March 2005 in the remote community of Balmertown in Northern Ontario - was linked by videoconference to multiple sites across three time zones. The meeting provided an opportunity for members of Aboriginal communities across Canada to contribute their perspectives on using ICT for education, health and wellness, governance, language and culture, and economic development. The paper will also discuss the future directions of RICTA in light of the contributions from Aboriginal communities as well as the outcomes of the RICTA meeting. |
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