2008 National Aboriginal Role Model and founder of Yellowtilt Productions, Ry Moran explains:
Social media describes an evolving paradigm for Web use; one where internet users create their own content, share this content with others, and engage in open conversations over the internet.
Social media is a shift away from traditional media wherein content was delivered from the creator to the user via a one-way transmission. In contrast to traditional media, Social Media allows users to interact with, and comment on the material they engage with on the Internet.
There are many ways to create social media including blogs, videos, music and Podcasts. YouTube, Facebook and Twitter are major social media hubs utilized by companies, organizations and individuals looking to spread information.
He makes reference to previous success and challenges encountered on past social media projects he has worked on - specifically citing the LearnMichif.com project.
For example, the diverse geographic range of the Métis nation led his team to embrace social media during the LearnMichif.com project. By utilizing video, podcasts, blogs and RSS technology, Ry and the LearnMichif team were able to share language lessons, oral histories, historical information, music and videos with users across the country in a user-engaging and cost-effective manner.
Reference: National Aboriginal Health Organization. Final Report. Workshop for First Nations, Inuit and Metis youth on Sexual Health Promotion and Sexually Transmitted and Blood Borne Infections (STBBI)Prevention using Social Media. PREPARED BY: Ry Moran, YellowTilt Productions, Victoria, BC. October 2009.
