Navajos Turn To Technology Vs. Problems

One of the Navajos' most enduring legends involves the journey of twin siblings Monster Slayer and Born of Water. As the story goes, the twins were destined to save the world from a race of marauding giants. So they endured epic trials to find their father, the sun, who gave them the weapons and knowledge they needed to slay the monsters -- and free their people.

Today, the Indian nation is equipping its young people with the tools and skills to fight a more modern set of problems: unemployment, alcohol and drug abuse, domestic violence and child abuse.

"Technology is the new weapon," said Ernest Franklin Jr., executive director of the Navajos' Telecommunication Regulatory Commission, which oversees Internet and other telecom services on Navajo land.

The agency is part of a program that aims to create an army of "Web Warriors" -- able not only to use computers themselves but also to teach others how to use them.

The foundation of the Web Warrior program is digital literacy leading to certification in basic computer skills, including word processing, spreadsheets and databases. Certiport, a privately held Salt Lake City company that offers tech training around the world, provides the certification.

There are 370 million indigenous people worldwide, says David Saedi, Certiport's CEO. Working with the Navajo may lead Certiport to bring tech skills to other indigenous groups, he says.

"The plight of the Navajo nation is very similar to those others," Saedi said. "A blueprint of success for the Navajo could be the starting point 15f success for those others."

Navajo leaders see tradition-based technology -- tools that help preserve their customs and culture -- as the way to ensure the Native American nation's survival.

"What we're trying to do is to get caught up with the rest of the world and at the same time, help ourselves to be independent -- standing on our own -- and get back to having pride," said Navajo President Joe Shirley Jr.

The Navajo Nation is setting up wireless Internet access in its 110 "chapter houses," which work like municipal governments for communities of 200 to 9,000 people.

Some 40% of the chapter houses have computer centers. Leaders hope eventually to have five Web Warriors for each of them. So far, the program has trained a total of 10.

The Navajos are learning to use the technology for land-use planning, geographical data analysis, demographic research and planning and estimating capital expenditures for infrastructure.

E-commerce is another benefit. Navajo artisans can sell their renowned turquoise and silver jewelry and rugs online.

One-third of the 300,000-plus Navajos in the U.S. live off the reservation, 25,000 square miles of land that spans Arizona, New Mexico and Utah.

Those who stay behind often are the young and the elderly. Unemployment hovers at about 50%. Many Navajo live in remote areas that lack basic infrastructure.

That leads to a downward spiral that has kept Navajo behind, says Franklin, of the Navajos' Telecommunications Commission.

The work force leaves the reservation because it lacks the infrastructure to sustain a healthy economy or housing. Without economic development, infrastructure problems fester.

Technology can help, even in remote areas. No matter where a chapter house is, a computer center can provide videoconferencing, distance learning, e-government and e-commerce.

Distance learning is important because it means college-age Navajo won't have to leave the reservation to study.

Tech education can get the youth jobs on reservation land, making it more likely that they'll stay there and remain connected to their culture, Shirley says.

The ultimate goal is self-sufficiency.

"I'd like to see us be a contributing member of the world family, and not be a dependent member anymore," Shirley said.

DeRay Chatter, 19, who completed the program in May, is an example.

This fall, Chatter will teach computer skills to other Native American students at Utah Valley State College in Orem, where he will be a sophomore. Eventually, he plans to teach those skills on the reservation, where his family lives.

He says the nation's tech efforts could be the start of sweeping changes.

"On the Navajo reservation, there's really not that much to do," he said. "There are few opportunities available. This certification could have a huge overall effect on families and life on the reservation."

Franklin would like to see more young people follow Chatter's example.

"They're losing the concept of actually being Navajo," he said. "That's the reason I wanted to use technology based on tradition. I wanted the youth to recognize where they come from."