Transcending the Digital Divide: A Framing Analysis of Information and Communication Technologies News in Native American Tribal Newspapers

It appears that the divide between the Native American communities and the mainstream population is multifaceted. The social divide affects the perception of and the ability to use Information and Communication Technology to bring about improvements in the lives of people living in Native American communities. While the technology may be available in some parts and not in others, its effects on the development of these communities appears to be important. The purpose of the paper is to investigate how information and communication technology is communicated in Native American communities. Following a framing analysis of tribal newspapers, this paper develops key concepts and relationships that explain how the digital divides take place. The contribution of this paper is in a model that provides insight into the perceptions and use of ICTs to bring about development.