Hypermedia and ethnographic research : Nuu-chah-nulth and Upper St'át'imc case studies

Abstract

Polyvocal hypermedia publications provide an avenue of redress for certain postmodern, feminist, and postcolonial critiques of ethnographic and social sciences research and reportage. The thesis opens with a critical positioning of anthropology in colonialism and the construction of an exoticised "other' with reference to representations of the Nuu¬chah-nulth (Nootka) and Upper St'at'imc (Lillooet) First Nations with whom the author has worked collaboratively. This critical enquiry sets the background for an explication of the current politics, ethics, and methodologies for ethnographic research and publication. In light of these issues and current responses, the latter half of the thesis explores hypermedia publication as an avenue for further experimentation in research and publishing methods. An analysis of the features, benefits, possibilities and challenges of working in hypermedia is provided with illustrations from two hypermedia projects that the author co-produced with Nuu-chah-nulth and Upper St'at'imc organizations. In conclusion, the author supports further experimentation in hypermedia while raising concerns about navigational design and technological obsolescence.