New Digital Literacy Resource: Eetsii tthak t’agwahii getr’ootanahchàh: Digital Content and Connectivity with Dinjii Zhuh Contexts

Posted on August 21, 2019August 21, 2019 by robmcmahon

Aug. 21, 2019 The University of Alberta (Faculty of Extension and School of Library and Information Science) and Gwich’in Tribal Council are proud to share two new digital literacy resources. These free open educational resources (OERs) focus on digital content and connectivity with Dinjii Zhuh (Gwich’in) contexts. They include a student workbook and a facilitator[…]

Collaboration, Connectivity, and Self-Determination

Posted on August 20, 2019 by robmcmahon

[ Internet Society Blog post by Crystal Fraser from April 11, 2019 ] Over 20 million people in North America lack access to fast, affordable, and reliable Internet. In October 2018, the Indigenous Connectivity Summit gathered over 150 Indigenous leaders, policymakers, network operators, and community members in the Canadian Arctic town of Inuvik to focus[…]

FMCC research featured in special issue of Northern Public Affairs

Posted on September 28, 2018September 28, 2018 by robmcmahon

The journal Northern Public Affairs has published a special issue focused on connectivity in Northern and Indigenous communities. The issue includes research and commentary about Indigenous digital innovations in communities across northern Canada, and features several articles contributed by FMCC members. These articles include: A “whole-community” approach for sustainable digital infrastructure in remote and Northern First[…]

CRTC Denies Northwestel Request for Forbearance of Regulation of Wholesale Connect Service in NWT

Posted on August 25, 2017 by robmcmahon

Yesterday (Aug 24) the CRTC released its decision denying Northwestel’s request to be forborne from regulation of the Wholesale Connect service in light of the Mackenzie Valley Fibre Link. From the CRTC’s announcement: The Commission denies an application by Northwestel for requesting forbearance from the regulation of its Wholesale Connect service in the communities served[…]

First Mile Researchers Host Digital Literacy Workshop with Gwich’in Tribal Council

Posted on June 18, 2017June 22, 2017 by robmcmahon

Last week the Gwich’in Tribal Council’s Department of Cultural Heritage (GTC) hosted a day-long workshop on Digital Content and Connectivity in Gwich’in communities. This pilot was designed by GTC staff and partners from the University of Alberta’s Faculty of Extension and the First Mile Connectivity Consortium. The team included Dr. Rob McMahon and Master of Arts[…]

FMCC/FNI researcher visits CBC Yukon and presents at Yukon College

Posted on April 18, 2017 by robmcmahon

People living in Canada’s Northern territories are engaged in a number of community-driven broadband projects – those these efforts face challenges of affordability and local infrastructure capacity. On April 6-7, FMCC coordinator and University of Alberta researcher Rob McMahon travelled to Whitehorse, YK to learn about these initiatives, and to give a public presentation at Yukon[…]

FMCC intervention in Northwestel’s request to CRTC for forbearance

Posted on March 10, 2017 by brianbeaton

The First Mile Connectivity Consortium (FMCC) filed the attached intervention letter concerning Northwestel’s application for forbearance concerning the delivery of broadband services in the Northwest Territories. We are sharing this document with everyone in the hope that it might be useful to you. If there are problems with the concerns we are raising about Northwestel[…]

2013 CRTC: Review of Northwestel’s Modernization Plan

Posted on December 19, 2013December 27, 2016 by brianbeaton

CRTC 2013-669 – Review of Northwestel’s Modernization Plan On June 19 and 20, 2013 the FMCC, K’atl’odeeche First Nation and the Eeyou Communications Network presented to the CRTC regarding several aspects of Northwestel’s proposed Modernization Plan. Generally, the three parties focused on issues of access, affordability, and the potential for infrastructure development in the North[…]

K’atl’odeeche First Nation Fiber Optic Construction (2011)

Posted on October 29, 2013December 26, 2016 by brianbeaton

K’atl’odeeche First Nation – Northwest Territories Tuesday, 29 October 2013, 05:16 PM In 2011, Katlodeeche First Nation completed the construction of its local broadband fiber optic network. This video documents the project. They were shot on location and edited by KFN’s IT Project Manager, Lyle Fabian. Watch part 2 of the video here, on YouTube.[…]

K’atlodeeche First Nation’s Fibre Network

Posted on October 22, 2012December 26, 2016 by brianbeaton

K’atlodeeche First Nation – Northwest Territories Monday, 22 October 2012, 04:21 PM On October 11, 2012 Lyle Fabian from gave a presentation about his community’s plans for a locally owned and operated fibre optic network. The forum was the Pathways to Prosperity Conference, held from Oct 10-12, 2012 in Yellowknife. The conference focused on issues[…]