International Journal of Communication 13(2019), 4530–4552 1932–8036/20190005 Sweetgrass AR: Exploring Augmented Reality as a Resource for Indigenous–Settler Relations ROB MCMAHON1 AMANDA ALMOND GREG WHISTANCE-SMITH University of Alberta, Canada DIANA STEINHAUER STEWART STEINHAUER Saddle Lake Cree Nation, Canada DIANE P. JANES Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, Canada Augmented reality (AR) is increasingly used as a digital storytelling medium to reveal place- based content, including hidden histories and alternative narratives. In the context of Indigenous–settler relations, AR holds potential to expose and challenge representations of settler colonialism while invoking relational ethics and Indigenous ways of knowing. However, it also threatens to disseminate misinformation and commodify Indigenous Knowledge. Here, we focus on collaborative AR design practices that support critical, reflective, and reciprocal relationship building by teams composed of members from Indigenous and settler communities. After a short history of Indigenous media development in Canada, we describe how we operationalized a participatory AR design process to strengthen Indigenous–settler relations. We document a series of iterative design steps that teams can use to work through Rob McMahon:
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[email protected] Date submitted: 2019–03–14 1 We thank colleagues at the University of Alberta who advised us: Patricia Makokis, Fay Fletcher, Jason Daniels, Lana Whiskeyjack, and Jennifer Ward. Jennifer Wemigwans, Jane Anderson, Catherine Bell, and the Alberta First Nations Information Governance Centre also provided support and guidance for this project.