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[…]

New article published about FMCC regulatory efforts: GIS Mapping and Policy Advocacy

Posted on January 16, 2018 by robmcmahon

An article based on FMCC efforts at the CRTC is now published in the Journal of Information Policy. The article is co-authored by FMCC researchers Rob McMahon, Trevor Smith, and Tim Whiteduck. Reclaiming Geospatial Data and GIS Design for Indigenous-led Telecommunications Policy Advocacy: A Process Discussion of Mapping Broadband Availability in Remote and Northern Regions[…]

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[…]

New Article: Indigenizing Digital Literacies with the Algonquin First Nations of Timiskaming and Long Point

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

Researchers working with the First Nations Innovation and First Mile project have published an article about Indigenous approaches to digital literacies in the Engaged Scholar Journal. The article is titled: Indigenizing Digital Literacies: Community Informatics Research with the Algonquin First Nations of Timiskaming and Long Point. It focuses on two community-based research projects in Quebec that[…]

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[…]

The Arctic Broadband Forum 2017 presentations from May 8-9 available online

Posted on May 22, 2017May 22, 2017 by brianbeaton

The Arctic Broadband Forum 2017 brought together educators, researchers and industry from across the World to discuss the challenges, successes and potential of telecommunications and broadband deployment in the Arctic. Specific emphasis was placed on the role of broadband and digital technologies on the cultural preservation and self-determination of indigenous populations throughout the Arctic. The forum[…]

2017 Publication list with links: First Nations Innovation / First Mile

Posted on February 11, 2017June 2, 2017 by susanodonnell

The First Nations Innovation project is researching how remote and rural First Nation communities in Canada are using broadband technologies and applications in innovative ways. Our work covers four regions – Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario and Alberta – in partnership with seven organizations. We have updated our publications document, a Word file that lists all the[…]

Guide: An Open Source GIS and Mapping Methodology for Internet Access

Posted on February 10, 2017February 11, 2017 by robmcmahon

In this report we discuss the efforts of the First Mile Connectivity Consortium (FMCC) to shape a Geographic Information System (GIS) platform into a tool for data-driven policy advocacy. This work took place in the context of a lack of robust, accurate data concerning broadband access in Canada’s northern and remote regions. Given this challenge,[…]

FMCC members present at Pacific Telecommunications Council conference

Posted on January 24, 2017January 24, 2017 by robmcmahon

Rob McMahon and Heather Hudson presented at this year’s Pacific Telecommunications Council (https://council.ptc.org/ptc17/) conference in Honolulu, HI on January 15 to 18. The session, entitled “Policy and Regulation” included a discussion about the FMCC’s efforts at the recent CRTC hearings on the Basic Service Objective, including our proposals to address digital divide challenges in remote and rural regions. The description[…]