Issue link: https://takingitglobal.uberflip.com/i/1505559
Considerations for the Future Recipients of the Digital Inclusion Grant interviewed pointed to an overall lack of easily accessible information about opportunities supporting their learning. Many reported hearing about the grant through their school counselors or departments but did not have the tools to find the application on their own online. A greater focus on the marketing and communications strategy may help ensure that more students who are eligible for the grant are aware of the opportunities that can support their learning in a meaningful and impactful way. One avenue through which Connected North can spread knowledge about the grant more widely is through the use of social media. Although there is little data examining Indigenous youth's use of social media, over 90% of young people in Canada aged 15 to 24 said they used the internet to send and receive emails, send messages using an instant messaging app, or used social networking websites or apps. 42 Moreover, 80% of those who identified as First Nations, Métis or Inuk (Inuit) have a smartphone for personal use 43 and 91% of those who completed our program evaluation survey rated their digital skills at 4 or above on a 5 point scale. According to one survey by Media Technology Monitor, social media usage was actually found to be higher among Indigenous peoples at 84%, compared to 75% within the general population. 44 The survey reported that Indigenous peoples report higher use of Facebook (90% compared to 86%), Instagram (53% compared to 49%), TikTok (38% compared to 25%) and SnapChat (37% vs 21%), while usage among Indigenous people of WhatsApp (24% compared to 35%) and LinkedIn (20% compared to 30%) is less than the average of the general population. 45 A marketing strategy that leverages the power of social media to disseminate and amplify information should ensure that announcements of the grant opportunities reach Indigenous students where they are online. For example, partner and community organizations' accounts, as well as the accounts of prominent Indigenous influencers, can be used to amplify posts explaining the grant and application process. Engaging other organizations to amplify the launch of application rounds will not only allow Connected North to reach a wider audience but the endorsement of community partners will also provide greater trust among students that could better encourage them to apply. Social media and online posts promoting the grant could also include supplementary resources that showcase tips on how to successfully build and submit an application, including clarity on the specific criteria by which Connected North will evaluate all applications. However, it is important to note that many students who require a laptop may not have the digital tools to find grant opportunities online to begin with. In this way, those who need the grant the most may be left out if the application and its amplification is delivered only through Connected North's C O N S I D E R A T I O N 1 Market device provision opportunities delivered through Connected North (and other organizations) using a robust social media strategy and marketing campaign that maximizes audience reach and provides clear information and direct access to program details and other digital resources. Impact of Connected North's Digital Inclusion Grant on IndigenousStudents' Learning, Social Connection and Community Involvement 26