A paper about Kitigan Zibi Anishinabeg First Nation in Quebec provides a case study of one community’s approach to broadband-enabled applications. Read the full paper (Publication #44), which is the result of a study conducted in partnership with researchers from the University of New Brunswick’s First Nations Innovation project in summer 2011.
Kitigan Zibi is the largest Algonquin community in Canada, located two hours north of Ottawa. Since 1980, community members have been involved in public service development and delivery. Today, this work is evident in an elementary and secondary school, day-care, cultural centre, community hall, community radio station, health centre, police department, and youth centre. These services are led and staffed by community members, who utilize a locally-owned and operated broadband network to enhance them. Despite challenges of sustainable funding and uncertain government policies, Kitigan Zibi is engaged in many innovative application development initiatives.
The Kitigan Zibi Kikinamadinan (high school and elementary) school integrates ICT into classrooms. A cultural centre displays Kitigan Zibi culture and heritage, while also serving as a venue for community activities and gatherings. Staff use tools like email, an online newsletter, and Facebook to promote events. They also create digital media exhibitions, and use videoconferencing to connect during meetings and events.
Kitigan Zibi health services use broadband-enabled applications for online reporting and to connect patients with doctors (who also visit the community three times a week). Local staff use mobile phones and videoconferencing to communicate. Finally, the Kitigan Zibi Police force use mobile technologies to respond to the community through texting, phone calls, and social media.