MWC-FNI Report: Supporting Indigenous Language and Cultural Resurgence with Digital Technologies

The Mi’kmaq-Wolastoqey Centre (MWC) and the First Nations Innovation (FNI) research project at the University of New Brunswick teamed up to produce a SSHRC-funded Knowledge Synthesis report entitled: Supporting Indigenous Language and Cultural Resurgence with Digital Technologies David Perley, Director of MWC and Susan O’Donnell, lead investigator of the FNI led the production of this report.[…]

FMCC and FNI receive Award of Excellence from Canadian Race Relations Foundation

Good afternoon! I’m excited to announce that last night, the First Mile Connectivity Consortium and First Nations Innovation project received an Award of Excellence (Aboriginal Category) from the Canadian Race Relations Foundation. Here’s the text from the Award Program: Working together to change digital policy to support Indigenous broadband at the First Mile, First Mile Connectivity[…]

FMCC members present at Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation conference

Susan O’Donnell and Brian Beaton delivered presentations at this year’s Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation (http://crrf.ca) conference in Guelph, ON on October 12 to 15. The session, entitled “Technology in Rural, Northern & Aboriginal Communities” included a discussion about the ISED report completed by the FMCC team in January 2016 and a description of the First[…]

FMCC Team Presents at World Forum on Free Media Conference

The First Mile team is busy spreading the news about First Nations digital innovation across Canada! This summer, three delegates from the First Mile Connectivity Consortium (FMCC) traveled to Montreal to present their work at an international conference. Denise Williams from the First Nations Technology Council (B.C.) joined Bill Murdoch from the First Nations Health and Social Secretariat[…]

First Mile Connectivity Consortium part of CRTC BSO hearings

Yesterday (July 14) was the deadline for the first round of input into a historic government CRTC hearings on the Basic Service Objectives for telecommunication services across Canada. The First Mile Connectivity Consortium was one of over 300 organizations and individuals that have entered the hearing before yesterday’s deadline. The hearing, CRTC 2015-134: Review of[…]

CRTC moves BSO deadline for initial interventions to July 14

FMCC received the following notice by email today announcing a 2 week extension for the initial interventions from June 30 to July 14. ++++++++++ May 28, 2015 Our reference: 8663-C12-201503186 BY E-MAIL To: Distribution List RE: Review of basic telecommunications services, Telecom Notice of Consultation 2015-1341 – Changes to filing dates On 4 May 2015,[…]

First Mile Connectivity Consortium (FMCC) receives CIRA grant

May 28, 2015 The First Mile Connectivity Consortium has received new funding support for policy research on broadband infrastructure and services in rural, remote and northern Indigenous communities. We are thrilled to announce that the Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) has awarded the FMCC $30,000. These funds will be used to collect evidence to present at the Canadian Radio-Television[…]

Resources about First Nations Community Networks

Read more about First Nations Community Networks and Aboriginal-led broadband development projects in Canada French Publication #35-F Read more than 70 stories of First Nations community broadband development located on this website Explore these stories on a Google Map that shows their distribution across Canada Digital Divides and the ‘First Mile’: Framing First Nations Broadband[…]

Learn more about Northwestern’s Modernization Plan

Download Northwestel’s updated Modernization Plan (Jan 16, 2013) Download Northwestel’s original Modernization Plan (July 3, 2012) Download Northwestel’s response to several requests to disclose information ( Feb 15, 2012) Visit Northwestel’s website about the hearings. Frequently asked questions from the company Summary – Modernization Plan (from CRTC website) Northwestel’s Modernization Plan outlined the details of a projected[…]

Presentations from First Mile Connectivity Consortium, K’atl’odeeche First Nation, and Eeyou Communication Network

Inuvik Hearing – June 17, 2013 Oral presentation from Eeyou Communication Network DOWNLOAD PDF   Whitehorse Hearing – June 19, 2013 Opening comments from Rob McMahon, First Mile Connectivity Consortium DOWNLOAD DOC    Final spoken comments (slightly different wording) DOC Expert witness testimony from Prof. Heather Hudson DOWNLOAD DOC    Testimony from Brian Beaton, former manager, KO-KNET[…]