News

MARKHAM, ON, June 19, 2009: In celebration of National Aboriginal Day on June 21st, 2009, IBM Canada will be donating eight kid-friendly computers, named Young Explorers, to the Manitoba First Nations Education Resource Centre (MFNERC).

IBM’s donation of Young Explorers will help MFNERC achieve their goal of improving education for local First Nations children by increasing their access to and confidence in technology. Young Explorer is a colourful "kid-proof" play station loaded with award-winning educational software designed to strengthen children’s cognitive and social skills. The devices give young children exposure to technology early on in the hopes of fostering a long-term interest in science and technology.

"Exposure to technology at an early age can have a lifelong impact. I know this first-hand, as my own son, a First Nations child, was familiar enough with computers in kindergarten to help out his own teacher in the classroom," said Howard Burston, IT Director for MFNERC. "Technologies like Young Explorers provide young people with exposure we hope will foster an interest in pursuing the unique and diverse fields of maths and sciences. Working with IBM will help us ensure these experiences can happen."

In addition to Young Explorer, MFNERC will also receive a technology camp resource kit and a summer session of training for teachers from the eight schools engaged in the Young Explorer program, to enable MFNERC to help run the camp program aimed at youth in the sixth grade.

The camp's primary goal is to motivate Aboriginal youth to stay in school and pursue careers in science and technology, leading to an increased number of Aboriginal people working in the technology sector. The camp, dubbed "IGN.I.T.E" for "IGNiting Interest in Technology and Engineering," provides kids with hands-on learning activities in basic programming, robotics and Web development.

"The Young Explorer and the IGN.I.T.E. Camp programs are an example of IBM's robust portfolio of programs focused on technological literacy and education for Aboriginal youth," said Mary Jane Loustel, the executive in charge of IBM's national Aboriginal strategy. "As a progressive Aboriginal Relations company, IBM is committed to building relationships with the Aboriginal community. IGN.I.T.E not only engages MFNERC and the community educators, it also engages elders, parents, grandparents and family friends. These donations provide tremendous support to youth as they begin to explore education and eventually career possibilities in science and technology."

These announcements continue to support IBM's commitment to working with Aboriginal communities, announced in 2004. IBM hopes these programs will encourage greater involvement of Aboriginal people in the Canadian economy, in the technology sector and with IBM. Recent examples of other work include:

• On June 2nd 2009, IBM signed an Aboriginal Employment Development partnership to open doors to the information technology economy for First Nations and Métis people in Saskatchewan. This adds to partnership agreements in place with Manitoba and Alberta.
• In 2009, IBM received the Gold Standard Award for Progressive Aboriginal Relations from the Canadian Council of Aboriginal Business, recognizing their ongoing commitment to Aboriginal employees, Aboriginal community and Aboriginal business development.

For more information about IBM Canada Ltd., visit www.ibm.com/ca.

Contact information:

Leslie Plant
IBM Canada Media Relations
(416) 478-9840
laplant@ca.ibm.com