1. 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

2. 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 2

3. 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 3

4. What did we do? Synthesis of existing research Highlighted leadership shown by communities Invited participation and collaboration Published a PDF final report 4

5. 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 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 5

6. Study Limitations Relatively short time frame Danger of conflating diverse communities Attention to existing regulatory/institutional frameworks More involvement from members of Inuit communities 6

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8. Core Concepts ‘Community-based’ ICT Development ‘Last-mile’ to ‘First-mile’ Broadband Infrastructure and Connectivity Services Broadband-enabled Public and Community Services 8

9. ‘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 9

10. 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 10

11. Broadband Infrastructure + Connectivity Services Broadband-enabled Public and Community Services 11

12. 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 12

13. Ch. 2 – How Communities are Using Broadband Infrastructure and Connectivity Services Health and Wellness Education Culture and Language Economic Development Government 13

14. 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) 14

15. 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) 15

16. 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 16

17. 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 17

18. 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 18

19. Contacts for more info Primary Investigators: Dr. Susan O’Donnell (UNB): susan.odonnell@nrc.casusan.odonnell@nrc.ca Dr. Richard Smith (SFU): smith@sfu.casmith@sfu.ca Researchers: Rob McMahon (SFU): rma29@sfu.carma29@sfu.ca Jason Simmonds (UNB): jason.simmonds@nrc.cajason.simmonds@nrc.ca Research Partners: Brian Beaton (KO-KNET): brianbeaton@knet.cabrianbeaton@knet.ca Brian Walmark (KORI): brianwalmark@knet.cabrianwalmark@knet.ca Kevin Burton (FNHD): admin@firstnationhelp.comadmin@firstnationhelp.com Sue Hanley (FNTC): sue.hanley@fntc.infosue.hanley@fntc.info Tim Whiteduck (FNEC): twhiteduck@cepn-fnec.comtwhiteduck@cepn-fnec.com First Mile Project Website: http://www.firstmile.cahttp://www.firstmile.ca Listserv: http://www.sfu.ca/cprost/tacs-list.htmlhttp://www.sfu.ca/cprost/tacs-list.html 19