Putting the ‘last-mile’ first:

Re-framing broadband development in First Nations and

Inuit communities

Presentation to Digital Maori Forum 2.0

February 23/24, 2011

Rob McMahon

PhD Candidate

Simon Fraser University

Canada

www.firstmile.ca 1

Study and report partners

Simon Fraser University, BC

University of New Brunswick, NB

Keewaytinook Okimakanak, ON

Atlantic Canada’s First Nation Help Desk, NS

First Nations Education Council, QC

First Nations Technology Council, BC

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Where did we get the information for the report?

Literature review

Interviews with 23 key informants

Developing 17 community stories

Regular (monthly) videoconference meetings

In-person and Videoconference presentations

Meeting hosted by Fort Severn First Nation

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What did we do?

Synthesis of existing research

Highlighted leadership shown by communities

Invited participation and collaboration

Published a PDF final report

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How were we funded / timelines?

One of 25 studies funded by a SSHRC Knowledge Synthesis Grant on the Digital Economy http://www.sshrc-crsh.gc.ca/ http://www.sshrc-crsh.gc.ca/funding-financement/programs-

programmes/knowledge_synthesis_economy-synthese_connaissance_economie-eng.aspx

Reports will feed into the federal Digital Economy Strategy policy process

Timeframe: 4 months starting August 1

Final report sent to SSHRC on December 1, 2010

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Study Limitations

Relatively short time frame

Danger of conflating diverse communities

Attention to existing regulatory/institutional frameworks

More involvement from members of Inuit communities

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Core Concepts

‘Community-based’ ICT Development

‘Last-mile’ to ‘First-mile’

Broadband Infrastructure and Connectivity Services

Broadband-enabled Public and Community Services

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‘Community-based’ ICT Development

It is not enough for a community to simply be ‘connected’:

A community must also be connected in ways that support sustainable, locally-driven development and operational practices

First Nations and Inuit communities are developing and using broadband and ICT technologies:

Designing and Planning Administering and Maintaining In some cases, Owning

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From “Last-Mile” to “First-Mile”

Broadband infrastructure and connectivity development emerges from the needs and contexts of local communities.

Positioned in contrast to ‘Last-Mile’ approaches which follow a top-down, industry-driven development model.

Infrastructure Support Model (Last-Mile) Community Aggregator Model (First-Mile)

The First Mile of Connectivity (1998)http://www.fao.org/docrep/x0295e/x0295e00.htm

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Broadband Infrastructure

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Connectivity Services

Broadband-enabled Public and Community Services

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Ch. 1 – Introduction (Context)

ICTs are linked to innovation and cultural, economic and community development

An emerging federal First Nations and Inuit connectivity strategy

Government of Canada’s National Digital Strategy

Assembly of First Nations’ ICT Think Tank

Dangers of conflating different Aboriginal peoples in policy decisions

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Ch. 2 – How Communities are Using Broadband Infrastructure and Connectivity Services

Health and Wellness

Education

Culture and Language

Economic Development

Government

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Ch. 3 – Examples of ‘Community-based’ Broadband Infrastructure and Connectivity Projects

AFN’s e-Community Strategy First Nations IT Regional Networks Northern Indigenous Community Satellite Network Eeyou Communications Network Fort Severn First Nation’s Community-Based Local

Broadband Infrastructure and Connectivity Model Nunavut Broadband Development Corporation and the

Qiniq Network The Community Access Program (CAP) in Nunavut IsumaTV’s Northern Indigenous TV Network (NITV)

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Ch. 4 – Overview of Existing Broadband Infrastructure and Connectivity

The North (Northern Quebec, Ontario, Manitoba; Yukon; Northwest Territories; Nunavut)

The Provinces (B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, The Atlantic Region)

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Ch. 5 – Federal Initiatives for Broadband Infrastructure and Connectivity

Why government support is required for broadband development

Historical overview of federal initiatives for remote and rural connectivity

Current federal initiatives to support First Nations and Inuit Broadband development

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Ch. 6 – Why Current Federal Initiatives are Not Working for First Nations and Inuit Communities

Ineffective Government Approaches

Inappropriate Funding Frameworks

Unequal Government to Government Relationships

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Ch.7 – Ways Forward: Building ‘First-Mile’ Oriented Broadband Infrastructure and Connectivity Services Framing a First Nations and Inuit Community Broadband

Infrastructure and Connectivity Policy

Support First Nations and Inuit Community Leadership in Policy Development

Facilitating Community-Based ‘First-Mile’ Development

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Contacts for more info

Primary Investigators: Dr. Susan O’Donnell (UNB): susan.odonnell@nrc.ca Dr. Richard Smith (SFU): smith@sfu.ca

Researchers: Rob McMahon (SFU): rma29@sfu.ca Jason Simmonds (UNB): jason.simmonds@nrc.ca

Research Partners: Brian Beaton (KO-KNET): brianbeaton@knet.ca Brian Walmark (KORI): brianwalmark@knet.ca Kevin Burton (FNHD): admin@firstnationhelp.com Sue Hanley (FNTC): sue.hanley@fntc.info Tim Whiteduck (FNEC): twhiteduck@cepn-fnec.com

First Mile Project Website: http://www.firstmile.ca

Listserv: http://www.sfu.ca/cprost/tacs-list.html 19