Brian Beaton

A history of everyday communication by community members of Fort Severn First Nation: from hand deliveries to virtual pokes

Fort Severn Washaho Cree Nation is the most northern community in Ontario. Without road access for most of the year, Fort Severn community members have always found innovative and useful ways to communicate and share information. This paper traces the history of everyday communications from the pre-analogue era to the current day. The focus is on how Fort Severn community members communicate and use technology in a community-centered and holistic way. Information was gathered for this paper over the course of three visits to the community and 59 interviews with Fort Severn community members. Community members reflect on their history of communications, and their current use of a broad range of technologies that utilize broadband. Critical thinking about technology use, and what is needed to support continued innovative and community-centered use is explored.