I would like to add that I can put the electronic version of the story
into the LISTSERV archives at TAMVM1, which would then be available for
retrieval (once I learn how to do it - I have the instructions, but just
haven't tried yet). I hope to put a number of longish materials online
there, including the Iroquois Constitution, background information on
the James Bay / Hydro Quebec dispute, notes from the Smithsonian National
Museum of the American Indian technology consultation which I attended
this past summer, and any other materials that seem to long or of only
limited interest to regular NativeNet subscribers.
Another idea which has surfaced recently is that of requesting short
biographical sketches of NativeNet participants, so that we can all get
a better idea of who all is in our electronic community. There are
probably times when we have all wanted to be able to get in touch with
someone with interests similar to our own, and don't necessarily feel
comfortable sending an article to the entire mailing list to inquire,
especially if we're new to the list and don't know if the subject has
been discussed recently. Also, it helps to understand the remarks of
someone if we know a bit more about a person's background and areas of
specialty. For all these reasons and more, it would seem nice to think
about constructing an informal database which could be searched by
NativeNet members. Participation in this effort would be voluntary.
If anyone has any thoughts on this idea, please get in touch with me.
Also, along similar, and possibly overlapping lines, some of us have
been thinking about doing a survey of our membership, to get a better
idea of who we are and what our interests are, and how we feel about
certain aspects of the operation of the list. A couple of people with
experience in survey design have come forward to indicate a willingness
to construct and conduct the survey, but if anyone else is willing to
help in any way, or has ideas for what kinds of questions should be
included, please drop me an electronic line.
There's a lot we can do during this year of the Columbus Quincentenary
to investigate and develop and promulgate the Native perspective on
this (non-?) event, which has important implications for the entire
world, not just for those of us living in the Western hemisphere. I
feel we've only really scratched the surface of the potential of the
electronic medium for mutual learning and working toward ends whose
importance we hold in common. Let's see what we can do, my friends!
Gary
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Gary S. Trujillo gst@gnosys.svle.ma.us
Somerville, Massachusetts {wjh12,bu.edu,spdcc,ima,cdp}!gnosys!gst