Research proves the connectivity barriers faced by Indigenous communities are very real, and very limiting

Posted on March 31, 2020March 31, 2020 by robmcmahon

Original article by Cybera; republished with permission The ConnectIN project was a two-year pilot project evaluating the internet connectivity in First Nations communities in BC, Alberta and Manitoba. Led by three First Nations’ regional technology organizations, and facilitated by Cybera, the goal of this project was to better assess gaps in infrastructure and services. ConnectIN wrapped up[…]

FMCC Researchers receive Internet Society grant to co-develop digital literacy program with Piikani First Nation

Posted on February 27, 2018February 27, 2018 by robmcmahon

A collaboration between Piikani Youth Empowerment Strategies (Piikani Nation Secondary School and Peigan Board of Education) and the Faculty of Extension at the University of Alberta has received funding from the Internet Society’s Beyond the Net program. The project, titled Exploring digital literacy through the Piikani Cultural and Digital Literacy Camp Program, builds on a[…]

Building Community WiFi in Maskwacis, AB

Posted on August 29, 2017February 27, 2019 by robmcmahon

Members of Maskwacis First Nation in Alberta can now access free WiFi, thanks to the efforts of local tech entrepreneur Bruce Buffalo. Visit the website for Mamawapowin Technology Society Bruce has developed a system that offers four free access points in his community. Community members can connect to the network through a web-based gateway, which[…]

Piikani First Nation and First Mile Researchers Host 3-day Cultural and Digital Literacy Camp

Posted on August 2, 2017September 27, 2017 by robmcmahon

On July 17-20, 2017, Piikani community members and First Mile researchers held a 3-day Piikani Cultural and Digital Literacy Camp focused on the community’s Past, Present and Future. Grade 9 students learned Blackfoot culture while camping on the land. They documented camp activities using digital video cameras, which was an entry point to learn about[…]

Sunchild E-Learning Centre

Posted on March 29, 2015January 11, 2017 by brianbeaton

On August 19, 2010 the Sunchild E-Learning Centre celebrated its tenth year of delivering quality distance education to Aboriginal learners throughout Alberta and the NWT. The Sunchild E-learning Centre started when, “[i]n 1999, members of the Sunchild First Nation considered the lack of education in their community and decided alternative methods were needed to reach Aboriginal[…]

Digital Futures 2015

Posted on March 23, 2015December 27, 2016 by brianbeaton

Digital Futures conference in Edmonton, Alberta. Digital Futures 2015 March 26 & 27, 2015 Held for the first time in the fall of 2013, this multi-stakeholder engagement on all things rural broadband has become a premiere national event in Canada around broadband policy in the main, with emphasis on advanced rural network development in particular.[…]

First Mile Video – Blood Tribe Goes Wireless

Posted on March 20, 2012December 26, 2016 by brianbeaton

Standoff – Alberta Tuesday, 20 March 2012, 12:56 PM Video shot and edited by John Pantherbone Intro sequence by John Pantherbone In this video Clayton Blood, the communications advisor to Blood Tribe – Kanai Chief and Council, describes the community’s plans to develop a locally owned and operated network. VIDEO TO BE EMBEDDED The Blood[…]

Blood Tribe Goes Wireless

Posted on November 29, 2011December 26, 2016 by brianbeaton

Standoff – Alberta Tuesday, 29 November 2011, 04:50 PM By Rick Tailfeathers Since the development of high speed internet on the Blood reserve in 2007 and the installation of the Supernet, a Province of Alberta initiative to get all Albertans plugged in, with movement toward internet access to homes has been difficult, until now. Recent[…]