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

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)

3. First Nations Communities

4. Bringing Back the ‘First Mile’
1998: The First Mile of Connectivity
Paisley & Richardson

6. Assembly of First Nations e-Community Strategy

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. ‘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

12. K’atlodeeche First Nation, NWT
Watch a video tour of KFN’s planned community network :

13. Strategic Partnerships
Local leadership and broadband champions
Community members
Regional First Nations technology organizations
Telecommunication companies
Government

14. First Mile Website

17. 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

18. Blood Tribe Community Network [documentary]
Watch John Pantherbone’s documentary of his home community’s plans for a locally-owned and operated network:

19. Send us your feedback! info@firstmile.ca