With approximately 450 million Indigenous Peoples spread across 90 countries globally, their cultural diversity is unparalleled. Indigenous peoples are often among the most marginalized and vulnerable populations globally. While global recognition is essential, concrete actions must be taken to protect Indigenous rights and preserve their unique cultural heritage and ways of living.[i]
On August 9, the United Nations dedicates a Worldwide Day to raise awareness about the challenges faced by Indigenous Peoples worldwide.
Schooling is an equalizer
At the Cisco Networking Academy, we proudly deliver curricula and immersive experiences that equip learners from over 190 countries to thrive in their education journey, marking the start of a new academic term.[ii] While education can certainly provide opportunities for social mobility and personal growth, it’s important to acknowledge that the relationship between school and equality is more complex than a simple equation. We strive to empower individuals from diverse backgrounds by bridging the digital divide and providing underserved communities with access to a wealth of opportunities, allowing them to participate and contribute to the dynamic evolution of global economies.
Here is the rewritten text:
Let me take a moment to share compelling stories of Indigenous individual and community upliftment, empowered through our Cisco Networking Academy network.
Greedy alternative with each arms
Tallara[iii] Tully was born and raised in Yass, a small city approximately 280 kilometres southwest of Sydney, Australia.
“Having grown up in a country where I’ve primarily worked in retail roles,” she explains. At high school, I found myself drawn to hospitality primarily due to its simplicity and accessibility in my hometown of Yass. The city’s abundance of dining options and related problems prompted my decision to venture into the industry.
At Tully’s high school, Trish, the dedicated trainer, had transitioned to a new role at Kirra Companies, a reputable Provider Nation-licensed Indigenous IT organization, where she played a pivotal part in enhancing opportunities for Indigenous individuals’ participation in the IT sector.
Trish endorsed Tully’s desire to help others and suggested that he participate in the Junior Cybersecurity Analyst program.[iv] pathway program Kirra was facilitating.
Tully jumped on the alternative
Since commencing his work with Tully, he has been dedicated to bridging the digital divide by travelling extensively to remote Indigenous communities, including a recent visit to Lake Cargelligo, approximately 600 kilometres west of Sydney?
“I have Indigenous heritage on my father’s side.” It’s been an enormous factor. In fact, residents of Yass already face significant challenges when it comes to these types of problems, notes she. “It’s been a significant advantage to speak publicly, and I can definitely identify with their experiences.”
“As Tully reflects on her experience at Lake Cargelligo, she notes that it’s clear to her that making a meaningful impact in her community is her ultimate goal.” “It’s incredibly fulfilling to interact with people; I find one-on-one connections truly exceptional.”
Inspired by this opportunity, we’re excited to announce that Tully is embarking on a three-year venture management traineeship. Youthful trailblazers like Tully, equipped with infectious enthusiasm and professional training, are poised to bridge the digital chasm separating remote rural and Indigenous communities in Australia, introducing them to a world of connectivity and opportunities that were previously unimaginable?
Reworking lives and preserving cultures
In the mid-point of our global community, Panama serves as the hub where renowned Cisco Networking Instructor Julio Lezcano resides.[v] With a lifelong dedication to bridging the digital divide, he spearheaded Panama’s entry into the virtual world, successfully connecting the country to the internet during the 1990s.
Despite Panama’s early entry into the digital age with internet access introduced in 1994 and a subsequent surge in mobile phone adoption, the most recent data from the World Bank reveals that as of now, only approximately 68% of the population has access to the internet.[vi] utilizing the web.
It’s partly due to the fact that traditional internet service providers struggle to rationalize the costs of establishing connectivity in remote communities.
Julio, a professor of PC networks at the Technological University of Panama, observed that Indigenous communities within the Chagres River Basin have become tourist destinations close enough to Panama City to warrant visits, yet remain far enough to lack reliable internet connectivity. He also recognized that an entirely distinct web service response was exceptionally well-suited for those communities.
At the inaugural Latin American Summit of Neighborhood Networks,[vii] Developed in September 2018, a definition of this novel paradigm was formalized: “Neighborhood networks are collective, community-owned entities managed for the benefit of the neighborhood; comprising non-profit civil society organizations, Indigenous communities or collectives that exercise their right to communication, guided by principles of democratic participation, fairness, gender equality, diversity and plurality.”
On October 21, 2023, the Panama Chapter of Internet Society (ISOC Panama) collaborated with Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá (UTP) to launch neighborhood networks in the Tusipono and Parará Puru communities of the Emberá indigenous group.
The objective of the neighborhood networks initiative within Emberá Indigenous communities in Panama is for men and women from Tusipono and Parará Puru to establish a self-managed wi-fi community that safeguards and celebrates Emberá traditions through the long-term sustainability of artisans and entrepreneurs in ethnic tourism, which are the primary sources of income for the community.
After pioneering Panama’s internet connectivity 30 years ago, Julio remains committed to bridging the digital divide by empowering marginalized groups, fostering alternative livelihoods, and strengthening community bonds.
Indigenous schooling for better alternative
Dr Gabriella Arellano[viii] She dedicated herself to realizing her long-held aspiration by enrolling at the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, to pursue a master’s degree and further develop her knowledge. “With limited acceptance into only a handful of California’s top graduate programs, her academic options were previously restricted.” Despite needing to attend high school locally, I wanted to meet new people.
Following her graduation, she assumed an instructional role at the Standing Rock Reservation – “I had never been to Standing Rock.” “I uncovered a wealth of information about the neighborhood and its traditions,” she says.
Gabriella obtained her teaching licence at the college level and earned certification as a Cisco Networking Academy instructor. Located on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation, I landed a position at Sitting Bull College, a public tribal land-grant institution established by the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe.
With a modest student body of approximately 300, the faculty confronts difficulties in offering a comprehensive range of courses. Because the Sitting Bull Faculty collaborated with Turtle Mountain Neighborhood Faculty and Stone Little one Neighborhood Faculty, they established a consortium to deliver cybersecurity training to rural tribal schools across two distinct states. This shared-resource model enables students to access a more extensive range of opportunities.
“It’s crucially important for anyone invested in education to understand that rural communities have innovative ways to expand access to educational opportunities for students.” As educational systems continue to adapt and innovate, students now have an abundance of opportunities to excel beyond traditional classroom boundaries. It’s been an inspiration to collaborate with Cisco’s technical experts and enterprise growth professionals, who have consistently exceeded expectations to help us deliver exceptional education to our students. “It has had a profound and far-reaching impact on countless lives.”
Empowering a brighter tomorrow for every individual.
The UN General Assembly adopted the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in September 2007, with 144 countries voting in favour.[ix] Education for Indigenous peoples is crucial for breaking down systemic barriers and empowering communities to take control of their own destinies. These stories showcase Cisco Networking Academy’s capacity to empower inclusive futures for all, leveraging learning and digital skills, including for Indigenous Peoples.
[i]
[ii] .
[iii]
[iv]
[v]
[vi]
[vii]
[viii]
[ix]
Share:
