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Community Challenge #4: Native Lands Cultural Outreach Project05.28.08 |
Project Name: Native Lands Cultural Outreach Project (Click to read original proposal)
Description
The Native Lands Cultural Outreach Project includes the establishment of an active learning & resource center, traditional dance grounds, an interactive traditional lifestyle area, and public arts and cultural programming. Our overall vision is a multi-phased, long term commitment to develop, create and foster a public space that provides a respectful approach to and safe haven for the preservation and celebration of American Indian Culture, Tradition and Heritage.Using SL streaming audio, video and voice chat, traditional and contemporary native music and language will be shared among and the rich oral tradition of storytelling will be shared and passed on, which is vital for the survival of these traditions.We also, plan to use animations, derived from video capture of traditional dance steps, scripting of interactive educational kiosks and tools, and machinima to enhance and preserve our process as we "virtualize" aspects of what we identify as Indian Country. Bringing together talented individuals, adept in the many areas of expertise necessary to successfully fine tune our vision, we hope to fully utilize every possibility that exists in the virtual environment to evolve this project beyond the realm of what many only perceive as "a game". On that note, one of our vision's hopes is to re-image the mass perception of what many in Second Life, as well as the real world, have of American Indian Culture.There are many in Second Life who doing a loin cloth, a feather headdress and "play Indian". We on the other hand aren't "Playing". We ARE Indian. Through our outreach efforts and interactions made possible through this unique virtual environment, we hope to politely and patiently, educate others about our history, traditions and who we truly are as individuals, and as diverse Nations.
What is the scope of your endeavor and what would you most like to accomplish?
Our scope is focused on the particular task of solidifying our Learning & Resource Center, Powwow Arena (gathering space), and completing the first in our series of traditional villages, with interactive kiosk-type learning tools.Ultimately, the learning center would act as an orientation point for envisioned additions of multiple regions; each with particular focus on independent tribes and a real world connection to that tribe. What we hope to accomplish is a working prototype that not only stands on its own as a project but also, demonstrates the practical purposes and aesthetic capabilities to members of real world tribal communities and a model for integrating a virtual presence into their own public and private aspects of their communities. This includes, distance learning, inter-tribal cultural exchanges, genealogy, tribal youth program and other efforts to integrate digital technologies and promote accessibility through existing Tribal Community Centers. Also, for this particular project phase, we would like to host a premier type series of events, to launch the new educational and cultural outreach aspects of the Native Lands Vision. This would include life performance, storytelling, interpretive tours and lecture/discussion sessions. Other components of this endeavor include the Columbus Day Parade and a live theatre presentation of "Black Elk Speaks."