What is the ‘First Mile’? NCIS-WG Meeting May 2, 2012 Whitehorse, Yukon 1.

What is the ‘First Mile’?

NCIS-WG Meeting

May 2, 2012

Whitehorse, Yukon1

www.firstmile.ca | 2

The First Mile Project

Public Outreach grants from SSHRC First Nations Partners:

Keewaytinook Okimakanak (Ontario) First Nations Education Council (Quebec) First Nations Help Desk (Atlantic Canada)

University Partners: Simon Fraser University (B.C.) University of New Brunswick (New Brunswick)


First Nations Communities


Bringing Back the ‘First Mile’

1998: The First Mile of Connectivity

Paisley & Richardson

http://www.fao.org/docrep/x0295e/x0295e00.htm



Assembly of First Nations e-Community Strategy


Why should YOU care about broadband infrastructure in First Nations?? First Nations people have always been in these regions

and will continue to be there in future

First Nations share traditional lands and resources with the rest of society – treaties

Working and engaging with remote and rural First Nations involves online communications

Need sustainable community models for infrastructure

To ensure sustainability, changes are required in discriminatory policies, programs and services


What challenges face First Nations? People in urban centres think “last mile” instead

Broadband and ICT infrastructure policies and procedures developed without input from First Nations

Urban IT professions fail to recognize and respect community expertise and needs

Engineers, planners, managers need to use online tools to reach out and include remote and rural First Nations when planning and developing projects


How can YOU support First Nations? Include First Nation members living in communities on

development committees

Support First Nation principles of OCAP – ownership, control, access and possession

Work with First Nations to identify solutions and requirements

Become champions with remote and rural communities to challenge misrepresentations and invite collaborations


First Mile Broadband Development

Different First Nations develop local broadband networks in ways that reflect their unique contexts

Locally owned networks support future development

Local control means First Nations can decide what to do with these tools

10


‘First Mile’ Broadband is:

a community utility that local residents, organizations and businesses can develop and access

used by First Nations governments to support and deliver other community services to members, such as health or education

11


K’atlodeeche First Nation, NWT

12


Strategic Partnerships

Local leadership and broadband champions Community members Regional First Nations technology

organizations Telecommunication companies Government

13


First Mile Website




What policy changes need to happen? Respect First Nations autonomy and desire for

sustainable community development

Ensure equitable access to resources and development opportunities that exist for urban centres

Create appropriate programs and support services respecting remote and rural realities

Include First Nations as equal partners in development projects


Blood Tribe Community Network[documentary]


Send us your feedback!

[email protected]

What is the ‘First Mile’? NCIS-WG Meeting May 2, 2012 Whitehorse, Yukon 1.

Documents

nations communities

nations partners

nations urban

nations people

nations autonomy

nations governments

mile website slide

community services