Collaboration, Connectivity, and Self-Determination

[ 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[…]

Internet access key to protecting threatened Indigenous languages: Toronto Star

By Crystal Gail Fraser and Mark Buell “An Act Respecting Indigenous Languages has good intentions, but we can’t ignore a critical piece of the puzzle missing from its fine print. Bill C-91’s goal to protect, promote and revitalize the nearly 90 Indigenous languages left in Canada can’t be fully realized until rural, remote and northern[…]

Community-owned & operated Broadband: Rural Spark Podcast

Select the PLAY link at the link above or DIY Broadband: a solution for remote communities? onRural Spark Learn how some remote communities are becoming their own internet service providers. https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/diy-broadband-a-solution-for-remote-communities/id1449859399?i=1000437617949

Government of Canada proposes new CRTC direction to put Canadians at the forefront of future decisions

From: ISED News release The proposed order aims to improve the affordability of Internet and cellphone services for Canadians February 26, 2019 – Ottawa, Ontario Good and affordable access to telecommunications services is increasingly important for Canadians to participate and thrive in a digital economy and society. Canadians are concerned about the cost of their Internet and cellphone plans[…]

Fort Severn First Nation Satellite Broadband Upgrade a Relief for the Community

From http://knet.ca/content/fort-severn-first-nation-satellite-broadband-upgrade-relief-community – Submitted by alvinfiddler on Thu, 2019-02-14 Ontario’s most northern remote First Nation has completed a broadband upgrade that has made a real impact. Everyday services are affected by broadband speeds, not just email and web browsing. Fort Severn First Nation is located 715km north of Sioux Lookout and uses satellite broadband for access to health[…]

Empowerment through Connectivity: 2018 Indigenous Connectivity Summit Community Report

From https://www.internetsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/2018-Indigenous-Connectivity-Summit-Community-Report_EN.pdf Recommendations to ensure access for all One of the biggest connectivity challenges in Canada, for those who have access, is that its broadband prices are among the highest in the world. When the CRTC declared all Canadian households should have high-speed broadband as a basic telecommunications service in 2016, it called on the[…]

Northwestel asks feds to consider operating costs for infrastructure investments

Company president Curtis Shaw made the statements to standing committee in November From https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/northwestel-connect-to-innovate-1.4960892by Sara Frizzell · CBC News · Last Updated: January 3 Northwestel began offering 15 mbps internet in September 2018. (Travis Burke/CBC) Northwestel asked the federal government to consider the “unique characteristics” of northern operating costs when making decisions on major infrastructure investments. Company president Curtis Shaw spoke at a[…]

Broadcasting and Telecommunications Legislative Review

ONE WEEK LEFT before submissions are due .. From their web site at https://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/110.nsf/eng/home .. The Panel is committed to providing relevant, practical and implementable recommendations to government and invites written submissions in response to its review of the Canadian Communications Legislative Framework. In response to comments from several parties, the Broadcasting and Telecommunications Legislative Review[…]

Court finds constitutionally protected Treaty Right to resource revenue sharing

Robinson-Huron Treaty wins historic victory for First Nations From http://anishinabeknews.ca/2018/12/25/historic-victory-for-first-nations-court-finds-constitutionally-protected-treaty-right-to-resource-revenue-sharing/ SUDBURY (December 24, 2018)–168 years after signing the Robinson-Huron Treaty, the calls from former and current Anishinabek Chiefs for the Crown to fulfill its Treaty promise to share the resource revenue of the Treaty territory have finally been heard. “We are so pleased that the[…]

Pikangikum FN connects to provincial electrical grid through Wataynikaneyap Power project

INAC Press Release Pikangikum First Nation marks historic connection to provincial electrical grid through Indigenous-led Wataynikaneyap Power project Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) Dec 20, 2018 PIKANGIKUM FIRST NATION, TREATY 5 TERRITORY, ON, Dec. 20, 2018/CNW/ – The Government of Canada is committed to working in partnership with First Nations to build critical community infrastructure and invest in[…]