Networks and knowledge: the role of indigenous women in website creation.

Abstract

The main purpose for this research is to reach a first approach to information and communication social uses developed by indigenous women.
To develop this analysis we have established some starting points: a) to define the main characteristics of the indigenous traditional knowledge, where the woman plays a fundamental role in generating and transmitting it; b) to know more accurately the trajectory that the indigenous women have drawn up in their communities before the production of information and communication messages; c) to analyze by means of the selection of Web sites the way in which their knowledge is being transferred to digital formats and, finally, d) to understand the process of formation and integration of indigenous networks of knowledge having as main support the Internet uses.
What is the role played by indigenous women as creators and transmitters of traditional information? Does Internet contributes to strenghten its social integration? Does indigenous knowledge suffers some changes when it is transferred to digital formats? From some questions that have been fundamental to guide this research, as well as having experienced a careful navigation in Web sites that are representative of their works, we have defined ten social uses to understand their main information and communication practices that conform this virtual universe.