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Indigenizing digital spaces

Indigenous innovators in B.C. are not only participating in the tech conversation, they’re redefining it

June 5, 2025

When Web Summit touched down in Vancouver at the end of May, it brought with it a global wave of innovation through its 15,727 attendees from 117 countries, and more than 1,100 startups showcasing the future of tech.

While trade delegations from every corner of the globe — including South Korea, Turkiyë, Ukraine and Nigeria — came to Vancouver to connect, invest and collaborate, one powerful narrative stood out amid the buzz: Indigenous innovators in B.C. are not only participating in the tech conversation, they’re redefining it.

From non-profit organizations fostering digital literacy in remote communities, to entrepreneurs building technological solutions rooted in traditional knowledge, Indigenous changemakers are leveraging innovation to serve their communities — and beyond. Their message is clear: technology can be a tool of cultural strength, economic empowerment and community resilience.

Naturally Innovative BC, a collaborative partnership between the government of Canada through Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan),  the province of British Columbia, Innovate BC, Destination Vancouver, Invest Vancouver and the City of Vancouver, hosted the BC Pavillion on the Web Summit’s Exhibition floor. Their first panel was “Envisioning Indigenous Creative Technology: Screen Sovereignty and Promoting Entrepreneurship” with Loretta Todd, filmmaker and founder of IM4 Lab; Josh Nilson, founder of Maskwa Investments, Maskwa Games and East Side Games; and Denise Williams, SFU lecturer and former CEO of the First Nations Technology Council.

Nilson, an entrepreneur, is working on Indigenizing digital spaces, starting with Roblox — a massively popular multiplayer online game universe and a game creation platform where users can create, share, and play millions of games. His company developed Métis Life, a free educational game made to share Métis culture.

“We’re specifically trying to revive a language that’s dying because only a few hundred people speak Michif. The reason for that is a lot of our languages weren’t written down,” Nilson says.

While Elders hold the knowledge, the key now is to engage young people with this language and culture to help it live on. An example of how technology can be used to not only record but advance the language and culture is how it has been used on Roblox.

“We were really inspired by the story of a 15-year-old Cree kid [Jayla Muswagon from Pimicikamak Cree Nation in Northern Manitoba] who wanted to do a virtual powwow and she invited 100 people,” Nilson says. “Over 30,000 people showed up, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, and they were all learning. I just think that we have so many tools that we never had before.”

Nilson says the biggest opportunity he sees right now for Indigenous-led innovation is in language.

“Language is one of the first things that was taken away. So, anything that uses technology to revive language [is big]… especially looking at kids that are going to build the type of stuff that we’ve never even dreamed about yet.”

Loretta Todd created Indigenous Matriarch 4 (IM4) Media Lab and serves as its Creative Director alongside media matriarchs Cease Wyss, Doreen Manuel, Amethyst First Rider and Tracey Kim Bonneau. IM4 Lab offers workshops for Indigenous artists, storytellers, producers, media creators and community members to learn about XR, gain technical training and develop skills to create their own VR/AR and 360 video productions at Emily Carr University.

“We’ve always been living in this modern world even though we’ve been told we’re not modern people,” says Todd, who references Haudenosaunee Wampum, which could be seen as a precursor to coding.

IM4 Lab indigenizes immersive technology through programs that bridge Indigenous cultures, ways of living and stories with cutting-edge tech.

“Within Indigenous culture, we’re always lifelong learners,” she adds. “Even an Elder who I think knows everything will say, ‘I don’t know everything.’ That’s one of the things that keeps our minds open, keeps our hearts open and makes us realize that it doesn’t matter what age you are in terms of learning about your culture or incorporating these things into your way.”

Panel moderator Denise Williams adds that Indigenous Peoples have been doing the work of building and designing in the spirit and understanding of what’s good for future generations, the seven generations principle, and how they bring forward ancestral knowledge into the places and spaces of design.

“As we spend time here at Web Summit, it’s just that reminder that everything we’re seeing and experiencing is the product of somebody’s imagination, so it really matters whose imaginations get to build and design these worlds,” says Williams.

“Whether we’re talking about artificial intelligence, or quantum, or even the basics of access to infrastructure for high-speed technology, our voices and places at the table really matter and really support all of the industries, all of the technologies and all of the ways we’re going to be interacting with these things.”

Equity is an obstacle. As of 2023, just 25 per cent  of Indigenous Peoples in B.C. have access to a reliable and affordable internet connection, and 0.7 per cent of Indigenous Peoples are employed in B.C.’s tech sector.

But the momentum is growing.

The First Nations Technology Council (FNTC) is an Indigenous-led, innovative non-profit mandated by First Nations leadership in British Columbia. It works to advance digital literacy, improve internet connectivity and provide guidance on data and digital technology for all 204 First Nations across the province.

Tirzah Swampy, the FNTC’s senior manager, digital skills development and training, says Indigenous communities in B.C. are in different places in terms of their own digital journeys. There are some that haven’t gone digital yet, everything is still on paper, and then there are communities who are using drones to map out their land.

The organization works with nations’ departments to find out what their needs are so they can offer programs for whatever can fill those gaps. They can offer advanced programs that can fast-track a learner into a career in tech, or they can start with the basics to help communities introduce digital skills to their members in order to keep up with any tech so they can acquire gainful employment of any kind.

A 2023 report by the FNTC found that 23 per cent of Indigenous-owned businesses in B.C. are technology-focused. Of those tech businesses, 80 per cent employ less than 10 workers. The FNTC said that as the number of Indigenous-owned businesses in the province grows, so too will the ability to employ more First Nations, Métis and Inuit workers.

The FNTC recently hired a manager of career pathways who is working on external partnerships that will provide alumni and current students with anything from work-integrated learning opportunities to internships and co-ops, where they can expand their skills, gain experience and then hopefully transition into a full-time role.

To ensure positive experiences for both graduates and employers, the FNTC works with companies who share their commitment to reflective, dedicated and action-oriented practices aligned with the principles outlined in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Call to Action.

The organization reached new heights when they introduced a drone program in 2020, which will soon be expanding. They partner with two First Nations from each region in B.C. and train two people from that community — typically land guardians, those working in the land-use department or in economic development.

Swampy says that this training provides the community members with the foundation skills, drone management, operations, the ground school so they actually get the ROC-A (Restricted Operator Certificate – Aeronautical) and RPAS (Remote Piloted Aircraft System), which is the certification to actually fly drones.

“For us here at the tech council it’s really important that we’re not only providing the skills, but also the technology,” Swampy says. “Once these participants complete the program, their nation gets a pro drone, which is a huge piece of equipment. They now have this drone to go out and survey and do whatever it is that they need to do.”

One use-case is for B.C. Interior communities hit by wildfires, which now have two skilled drone operators to use the technology however their nation may see fit.

“That’s something that’s been really impactful and we’re right now in the stages of reworking that curriculum, so that it’s not only available to host nations so that Indigenous people all over B.C. have access to the training as well.”

Swampy’s panel at Web Summit, alongside Ben Williams (FNTC alumni and IT field technician, YVR Airport Authority) and Kristina Laniuk (IT manager, YVR Airport Authority) spotlighted an innovative program between the FNTC and YVR Airport, highlighting the FNTC’s efforts in advancing digital skills and building career pathways through meaningful, reciprocal partnerships.

“In 2022, myself and a member of the innovation team at YVR began talking. We just knew we wanted to collaborate in some way but we weren’t exactly sure how,” Swampy says. “I told him about our training and what we offer, and they were excited about how they could provide employment for more Indigenous people. We built this relationship and within about a year we were able to offer one of our Foundations programs.”

The partnership took the FNTC’s main exploratory program that introduces learners to six different tech topics, and with YVR, they created a custom program offered to students in the Lower Mainland.

“It ended up being more beautiful than we imagined,” says Swampy. “We are really close with the YVR innovation team now.”

The students took the six-week program online and at the end, the group met with the YVR innovation team at the airport for a tour.

“They talked about their friendship agreement with the Musqueam Nation and how that’s really impacted them, and how they really work together to ensure they’re being respectful of the land and providing opportunities for people as well.”

Two graduates went on to be interns and now four have full-time employment at YVR.

“It’s just been an incredible journey over the last couple of years. We talk to them often and they’re always willing to work with us, learn from us, and do whatever they can to provide opportunities for our alumni,” Swampy says.

Looking ahead, the FNTC is looking to AI, engaging nations across the province to inform them about the development of AI and how this can support nation-building.

“We’re going to be building the next generation of Indigenous AI leaders. We’re really excited about that work  and just continuing on with what we’re already offering.”

Swampy urges anybody who’s really interested in making an impact in Indigenous communities to reach out to the First Nations Technology Council.

“We’re always happy to have conversations and see wherever they may lead. Whether that’s working at greater learning opportunities, co-ops, how they can support our students, or even if anybody would like to contribute in any way to the organization.”

Other Indigenous-focused panels that took place at Web Summit featured: Indigenomic Institute, the largest Indigenous-owned consulting group working to advance Indigenous economies and reconciliation outcomes; Indigenous Infrastructure Fund Corporation, which was established in 2021 to address the over-$30 billion infrastructure deficits in First Nation, Inuit and Metis communities across Canada; and Nationsfirst Technologies, which empowers real economies by unlocking Indigenous assets and enabling transparent, self-determined investment through tokenization and decentralized governance.

These crucial conversations at the summit, which took place May 27-30, were just the tip of the iceberg. And with standing-room only crowds listening in, the interest and momentum will hopefully help these programs reach new heights.

“We live by values: kindness, reciprocity, respect, and redistribution of wealth,” says Loretta Todd. “The opportunity isn’t just for me or the people in my program, it’s for all of us.”