Bakardjieva, MariaPratt, Yvonne Poitras2017-12-182017-12-182005http://hdl.handle.net/1880/103384Bibliography: p. 259-273This thesis examines the community involvement of three Aboriginal communities in their participatory research activities around the topic of the Alberta Super Net. The researcher worked alongside three groups representing the Blackfoot, Cree, and Metis people of Alberta as part of a research partnership where the goal of the project was community empowerment through active involvement in planning activities for the introduction of the Alberta Super Net broadband technology. While development support communication provided the theoretical foundation for this study, an ethnography of the research process across the three communities formed the final methodology. Findings from this study implied that awareness and recognition of a need for directed social change within communities remain critical first stages to genuine participation within participatory research activities. This study also revealed that emerging efforts in developing culturally appropriate forms of Aboriginal research must be supported and prioritized for the immediate and social good of Aboriginal people.xii, 299 leaves : ill. ; 30 cm.engUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.master thesis10.11575/PRISM/2383