Background
Reliable high-speed Internet access for all First Nations in BC is the goal. This goal has been recognized as a high priority by a number of organizations in recent years including the First Nations Leadership Council, the Premier’s Technology Council and the Province of BC in the Transformative Change Accord, which recognizes connectivity as foundational to closing the socio-economic gap between First Nations and other British Columbians.
In January 2006 the First Nations Technology Council (FNTC) articulated the high priority placed on broadband connectivity in a document entitled “2006-2008 Strategic Plan Supporting the Full Integration of Technologies to Improve the Quality of Life of all First Nations in British Columbia” (See http://fntc.info/files/test%20folder/Strategic%20Plan.pdf). Broadband connectivity is also a key priority for the First Nations Health Council (FNHC) as part of their efforts to create a fully integrated First Nations clinical telehealth network.
In March 2008 the hard work of the FNTC and its partners on the Fully Integrated Technologies Partners Working Group came to fruition when $22.5 million was granted to All Nations Trust Company by the Province of BC for the purpose of providing financial stewardship and project management to a new initiative to begin to provide broadband connectivity to all 203 First Nations in BC. The $22.5 million is split into two distinct yet related funds: $17.5 million for connectivity infrastructure and $5.0 million for capacity building. The overall initiative has since been named the Pathways to Technology project.
The Funds
$17.5 million is earmarked for connectivity infrastructure while $5.0 million is earmarked for capacity building.
1. Connectivity Fund - $17.5 million
The Connectivity Fund will be used to finance the two major phases of providing Internet connectivity: transport and last mile.
Transport is the design and construction of the infrastructure required to transport broadband signals to a community. A number of technologies for accomplishing this are possible including the use of phone lines, cable, fibre optic cable and satellite.
Last Mile refers to the distribution of broadband within a community to the end users, i.e. individual homes and businesses. As a general rule the function of distributing broadband within a community (or group of communities) is performed by private businesses called Internet service providers (ISPs).
2. CapacityBuilding Fund - $5.0 million
The Capacity Building Fund will support initiatives which focus on digital literacy and technical skills development. The purpose of this fund is to build capacity, within those communities which are being connected, to use the technology and maintain the systems. This will enable communities to derive optimum benefits from the technology.
The Work
The Pathways to Technology project is a large, complex undertaking and the work will likely span four years or more. The work is currently in the design and planning stages, and includes ongoing efforts to secure additional funding. All Nations Trust Company (ANTCO), the First Nations Technology Council (FNTC) and the First Nations Health Council (FNHC) are working together on a steering committee which includes a number of advisory members: the First Nations Leadership Council, Health Canada, the Ministry of Labour and Citizens’ Services (Network BC) and the Ministry of Aboriginal Relations & Reconciliation.
As work proceeds and each First Nation community becomes connected, efforts will be made to ensure that an Internet service provider is in place and that appropriate skills training and other supports are also available.
Benefits of Broadband
Mainstream communities in British Columbia generally have much greater access to Internet connectivity than do First Nation communities. This “digital divide” is particularly acute in rural and remote communities. The Pathways to Technology project has emerged out of a commitment to close this gap. The benefits of bringing broadband connectivity to First Nations are considerable:
Health Care – Clinical telehealth applications hold tremendous promise for community members who do not enjoy convenient access to health care services. Remote consults and videoconferencing with physicians and specialists, remote x-ray diagnostics, tele-ophthalmology and integrated health management systems are only a few of the applications that are made possible with broadband connectivity.
Education and Skills Development – Learning opportunities from anywhere in the world become a possibility through distance education programs and real-time interactive access to remote instruction (e.g. videoconference teaching).
Cultural Preservation and Revitalization – Internet connectivity enables many social and cultural initiatives such as documenting language and histories, digitizing museum collections, online research and much more.
Economic Development – Business research, access to economic development programs and access to distant markets are just a few of the benefits that are brought within reach.
Land and Resource Management – Benefits include digital mapping, the ability to develop and to share land use files, and access to a host of public and private research databases.
Critical Infrastructure Monitoring – Benefits include online, real-time monitoring of water quality and the development of green initiatives through centralized energy management.
