A number of organizations have dedicated a great amount of time, both presently and over the past several years, culminating in the launch of the Pathways to Technology initiative. The current collaboration is comprised of the following organizations.
All Nations Trust Company
ANTCO is an Aboriginal Financial Institution incorporated as a trust company and operating in BC since November 1987. ANTCO has 183 shareholders comprised of Aboriginal bands, tribal councils, corporations, organizations and individuals in BC. ANTCO, and its wholly-owned subsidiary All Nations Development Corporation, offers a wide range of financial products and services, including trust services, business loans, residential mortgages, band-administered mortgages and social housing mortgages. As a registered trust company ANTCO is regulated under the Financial Institutions Act
Current role: Project manager and member of the Steering Committee.
First Nations Technology Council
FNTC is a society, incorporated under the Society Act (BC) and was originally established as a committee and mandated by resolution of the First Nations Summit “to develop a First Nations Technology Plan for First Nations in British Columbia which will address technology issues including: a) high speed internet connection, and b) technology skills development, and c) development of technical support.” The FNTC was later endorsed by the Union of BC Indian Chiefs and the BC Assembly of First Nations. The FNTC is duly mandated to serve and assist First Nations in BC in their achievement of: industrial grade connectivity; increased technical capacity; the development of technical support; and the revitalization of culture and languages using technology. The FNTC’s efforts to secure funding for connectivity came to fruition in 2008 with the release of $22.5 million in funding for the connectivity and capacity building initiatives.
Current role: Member of the Steering Committee.
First Nations Health Council
The Health Council is one of four governing structures dictated through the Tripartite First Nations Health Plan, and is made up of representatives appointed by the First Nations Summit, the Union of BC Indian Chiefs, and the BC Assembly of First Nations. The role of the Health Council is to:
• serve as the advocacy voice for First Nations on health-related matters;
• support all First Nations in achieving their health priorities, objectives and initiatives;
• participate in federal and provincial government health policy and planning processes; and
• provide leadership in the implementation of the First Nations Health Plan Memorandum of Understanding, the Transformative Change Accord: First Nations Health Plan, and the Tripartite First Nations Health Plan.
Current role: Member of the Steering Committee.
Other organizations have contributed immeasurably to this initiative and continue to make key contributions. They include:
First Nations Leadership Council: FNLC is a collaboration of the BC First Nations Summit, Union of BC Indian Chiefs and BC Assembly of First Nations. FNLC played an important role in creating the political will to bring this project to fruition and secure a commitment to financial resources. Current role: Advisory member of the Steering Committee.
NetworkBC: A branch of the provincial Ministry of Labour and Citizens’ Services, and a strong source of technical and advisory services; also a source of funding for the Pathways to Technology initiative.
Current role: Advisory member of the Steering Committee.
Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation: A ministry of the Province of British Columbia and ongoing source of guidance and advisory services.
Current role: Advisory member and chair of the Steering Committee.
Health Canada: A federal ministry of the Government of Canada. Health Canada has been providing guidance on this initiative for a number of years.
Current role: Advisory member of the Steering Committee.
FIT Partners Working Group
The Fully Integrated Technologies Partners Working Group is a group of organizations who came together in 2007 for the purpose of supporting the use of technologies for cultural, social and economic development, and advancing technology infrastructure and capacity within BC First Nations. Members of the Working Group include:
§ First Peoples’ Heritage, Language and Culture Council
§ First Nations Education Steering Committee
§ First Nations Emergency Services Society
§ Ministry of Aboriginal Relations & Reconciliation
§ Ministry of Labour and Citizens’ Services
§ Ministry of Children and Family Development
§ Ministry of Health
§ Ministry of Technology, Trade and Economic Development
§ Ministry of Education
§ Integrated Land Management Bureau
§ Health Canada
§ Indian and Northern Affairs Canada
§ Human Resources Canada
