appendix 4: online focus group in timiskaming first nation...

DigitalTechnologyAdoptioninNorthernandRemoteIndigenousCommunitiesinCanada

Appendix4:OnlineFocusGroupinTimiskamingFirstNation,Quebec

PreparedforInnovation,ScienceandEconomicDevelopmentCanada(ISED)

March31,2016

First Mile Connectivity Consortium (FMCC)

DigitalTechnologyAdoptioninNorthernandRemoteIndigenousCommunities:Appendix4:OnlineFocusGroupinTimiskamingFirstNation,Quebec,March31,2016

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TableofContents

OnlineFocusGroupinTimiskamingFirstNation,Quebec....................................................104

1.BackgroundInformationaboutTheCommunity:......................................................................104

2.BackgroundInformationaboutTFN’sCommunicationsFacilitiesandServices..........................106

3.ResearchMethodology:............................................................................................................108

4.CommunityEngagementandSupport:.....................................................................................108

5.GeneralCommentsontheFocusGroupFacilitation..................................................................109

6.SummaryofKeyFindingsfromtheFocusGroupSession..........................................................110

7.SummaryofResponsestotheQuestions..................................................................................111

NOTE1:NoticeaboutFocusGroupsPublishedinTimiskamingEducationNewsletter..................116

NOTE2:Sign-upSheet:FocusGrouponUsingDigitalTechnologies..............................................118

NOTE3:InformationtoGuideSelectionofFocusGroupParticipants:..........................................119

NOTE4:FocusGroupInstructionsforCommunityResearchCoordinator......................................120

NOTE5:ConsentFormforTimiskamingFocusGroupParticipants................................................122


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OnlineFocusGroupinTimiskamingFirstNation,Quebec 1.BackgroundInformationaboutTheCommunity:TimiskamingFirstNation(TFN)isanAlgonquincommunityontheQuebecsideoftheborderbetweenQuebecandOntario,about510kmnorthwestofOttawa.ThecommunityisadjacenttothemunicipalityofNotre-Dame-du-Nord,(Quebec)anditisaccessiblebyHighway101.

FromINAC’sFirstNationProfilesInteractiveMapathttp://fnpim-cippn.aandc-aadnc.gc.ca/index-eng.html

TFNhasfibreopticinfrastructureinplacebutisfacingchallengesaroundthehighcostsforconnectivityservicesforbothhouseholdsandcommunityservices;localhumancapacitytodevelopandmanagetheirlocalsystems;andlimitedbandwidth.TheFirstNationsEducationCouncil(FNEC)workswiththecommunitytoprovideconnectivitysupportandexpandfibreopticlinkstolocalorganizationsandresidents.TheFMCC-ISEDprojectresearchershaveanestablishedresearchrelationshipwithTFNthatbeganin2014-2015withaprojectundertakeninpartnershipwithFNECandtheUniversityofNewBrunswick.ThisexistingrelationshipwiththeTFNcommunitywascriticalinfacilitatingthefocusgroupdescribedinthisreport.Asacommunityinformaticsresearchinitiative,thepreviousresearchprojectexploreddigitalliteraciesthroughhouseholdsurveysmanagedbycommunity-basedresearchers.AllaspectsoftheprojectwerecollaborativelydesignedandimplementedbyTFN’sEducationDepartment(ArlineChasle,EducationDirector),FNEC(TimWhiteduck),andthe


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UniversityofNewBrunswick(RobMcMahon).Datacollectionandanalysiswasconductedbycommunitymembers,includinghighschoolstudentsandBandcouncilstaff.Thisworkresultedinapresentationatthe2015annualconferenceoftheCanadianSociologicalAssociationinOttawa,akeynotelecturepresentedattheMarch2015DigitalFuturesconferenceinEdmonton,anarticlepublishedintheJournalofCommunityInformaticsthatdescribestheprojectmethodology(McMahon,Chasle&Whiteduck,2015),1andanarticlecurrentlyunderreviewbytheEngagedScholarJournalthatfurtherexplorestheprojectmethodologyinTimiskamingaswellasafollow-upinitiativewiththeAlgonquincommunityofLongPoint(McMahon,Whiteduck,Chasle,Chief,Polson&Rodgers,underreview).ThefollowingcommunityinformationaboutTFNisobtainedfromtheINACFirstNationsprofileonlinesitelocatedathttp://fnp-ppn.aadnc-aandc.gc.ca/fnp/Main/Search/FNMain.aspx?BAND_NUMBER=64&lang=engPopulation:AsofJanuary2016,thepopulationonthereservewas584.Approximately1500additionalbandmembersliveoffthereserve.Distancetomajorservices:ThereserveislinkedtootherlocationsinOntarioandQuebecbypavedroad.Nearesttown:NewLiskeard,Ontario,29kmaway(nowofficiallypartofthetownofTemiskamingShores).Nearestairport:Earlton,Ontario,35kmaway.Nearesttownwithprovincialgovernmentservices:Rouyn,Quebec,about108kmdistant(Rouyn/Norandaalsohasaregionalairport).Healthservices:Thereisahealthcentreinthecommunity.Thenearesthospitalsare33kmawayinOntarioand32kmawayinQuebec.Education:Gradesjuniorkindergartentograde8areofferedatschoolinthecommunity.FrancophoneinstructionisofferedatanelementaryschoolinNotre-Dame-du-Nord,Quebec,nearthereserve.Forhighschool,studentsgotoNewLiskeardforinstructioninEnglishortoNotre-Dame-du-NordforinstructioninFrench.ESDC(EmploymentandSocialDevelopmentCanada,formerlyHRSD–HumanResourcesandSkillsDevelopmentCanada)hasacentreinthecommunity.IncomeandEmployment:Averagetotalearningsin2011were$22,644,comparedtoQuebecaveragetotalearnings$36,352.Majorsourcesofemploymentaregovernmentandpublicservicesincludinghealthandeducation,otherservices,andtrades.Theunemploymentratein

1Toreadthisarticle,titled“FirstMileMethodologiesinCommunityInformaticsResearch:LearningfromFirstNations”,pleasevisit:http://ci-journal.net/index.php/ciej/article/view/1185/1164


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2011was31.1percent.Forty-threepercentoftheadultpopulationhadnotcompletedhighschoolin2011.2.BackgroundInformationaboutTFN’sCommunicationsFacilitiesandServices ThemainproviderofresidentialcommunicationsservicesisTélébec(aBellCanadasubsidiary):landline,mobile,cableTV,andInternetviaADSL.FixedInternetbroadbandisalsoavailablefromParolinkbasedinNewLiskeard,Ontarioviaamicrowavetowerconnection.AlongwithsixotherAlgonquinNationsintheregion,communityandpublicserviceinstitutionsinTimiskamingareconnectedtoaregionalfibrenetworkthatisownedandoperatedbyTélébecthatwasinstalledin2000.Thisinfrastructureconnectspublicserviceorganizationsinthecommunitiesthrougha20-yearcontractarrangementwithTélébec(Timiskamingiscurrentlyinthe11thor12thyearofthiscontract).In2015,FNEChiredalawyertolookatthepossibilityofcancellingthiscontractwithoutincurringanypenalties,butthereisnoclauseorconditionthatenablesthistooccur.FNECcurrentlymanagespaymentforthisfibrenetworkarrangementonbehalfofTimiskaming.Forfibreopticinfrastructure,Télébecchargesapproximately$15,000foreachinitialinstallation,plusarecurringfeeof$100permonthperbuilding.Atpresent,8buildingsareconnectedtothissystem.SummaryofcostsfortheexistingTélébecnetworkinTFN:

• $120,000:One-timecapitalcostforFibreOpticinstallationto8buildings• $9,600:Annualoperationsandmaintenancefeesfor8buildings

Inadditiontothesecosts,publicandcommunityservicessharethecostof$313/monthforInternetServiceprovidedbyGIRAT.SinceDecember2007,thenon-profitcorporation,Gestiondel’inforouterégionaledel’Abitibi-Témiscamingue(GIRAT)hasbeenoverseeingthemanagementoftheregionalnetworkbuiltwithlocalandregionalgovernmentalfundsandthoseofthetelecommunicationpartner(Télébec).TheFirstNationsallsubscribetoGIRATforInternetservice.www.girat.org.ThisservicecomeswithaCIRrateof1.0mb(itisaburstableservicewithaminimumguaranteeof1.0mbcapacity)atacostof$3,756annuallyforInternetServicesfromGIRAT($313/monthX12months).


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NetworkdiagramofcurrentbroadbandnetworkinTimiskaming

Timiskamingrequiresmorebandwidthtoaccessapplicationsandservices,butthecosttoexpandthiscapacityviaTélébec’sexistingnetworkisaround$15,000perbuilding.Thecommunityispresentlylookingintoinstallingbroadbandin4additionalcommunityservicebuildingsatanestimatedcostof$60,000.2Asanalternativesolution,inOctober2014,FNECcompletedanengineeringassessmenttoinstallacommunity-ownedfibreopticnetworktoconnectall11localpublicandcommunityservicebuildingsinthecommunity.3Theestimatedcosttoconnectthesebuildingsis$77,342.40.Thisestimate4includesbothcapitalandoperationsandmaintenancecosts,aswellasacontingencyfund:

• $64,452:Capitalcoststoinstallfibreopticinfrastructurein11buildings• $2,316:Annualoperationsandmaintenancefeesforallbuildings• $12,890:Recommendedcontingencyfundof20%

2Thesebuildingsare:ChiefandCounciloffice;Pumpstation;Recreationcentre/RadioStation;andPoliceStation.3Thesebuildingsincludethefollowing:HealthCentre;LearningCentre;BandOffice;AnishinabegLongTermCareCentre;AlgonquinNationProgramsandServices-Socialservices;KiwetinSchool;HumanResourcesandDevelopment–TribalOffice;CommunityHall;PoliceStation;RecreationCentre;andCouncilOffice.4Thisshouldcoverthecostofproductindexationsince2014.Iftheconstructiontakesmultipleyears,anadditionalcostof$6,000/yearwillbechargedbythecontractor.


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3.ResearchMethodology:InTimiskaming,wechosetopilotafocusgroupusingvideoconferencingtechnologytoascertainwhetherthistechniquecouldbeusedinothernorthernIndigenouscommunities.Asnotedabove,akeysuccessfactorinthismethodologywasourteam’spre-existingrelationshipwithTimiskaming.Acommunity-basedresearchcoordinatorisrequiredtosupportthekindofremotely-manageddatacollectionprocesswedescribehere.VideoconferencingfacilitieshavebeeninstalledinTimiskamingandseveralotherIndigenouscommunitiesinQuebecbytheFirstNationsEducationCouncil(FNEC).KNEThasalsoinstalledfacilitiesinIndigenouscommunitiesinnorthernOntario,andvideoconferencingisavailableinsomeothernortherncommunities.OnlinevideoconferencingusingservicessuchasSkype,Facebookorotheronlinevideoapplicationsarebeingusedwherethebandwidthisavailable.TenresidentsofTimiskamingparticipatedinthefocusgroupatthebandofficeheldonFeb.12,2016.Thecommunity-basedresearchcoordinatorsusedBlueJeansvideoconferencingsoftwareandequipmentinthebandoffice.Theremotely-locatedinterviewersalsousedBluejeanssoftwaredownloadedonlaptopcomputers(throughaneasy-to-installandusewebbrowserplug-in).TheBluejeanssystemwasprovidedandmanagedbyFNEC,withtechnicalsupportfromtheirstaffinWendake,Quebec.FNECprovidedthelinktotheBluejeansonlinemeetingsite,conductedtestswiththeresearchersandTimiskamingtoensurevideoandaudiolinks,recordedthesession,andmonitoredandremainedon-callduringthesessiontoensurethatanytechnicalissuescouldbequicklyaddressed.TheresearchersandFNECconcurredontheuseofBluejeansratherthanotherplatforms(suchasPolycomCMA)becauseofitseaseofuseanddemonstratedreliabilityforthesetypesofevents.Theinterviewprotocolwasdiscussedatthestartofthefocusgroupsession.Theprimarygoalofthisstudywasonindividualandhouseholduseofdigitaltechnologieswithseveralreferencestotheimportanceoforganizationalandinstitutionaluses.4.CommunityEngagementandSupport:TheTimiskamingfocusgroupwassupportedbyanon-sitecommunityresearchcoordinator,anessentialcomponentofthisremotely-managedresearchmethodology.TheFMCC-ISEDresearchteamdrewonexistingrelationshipswiththeTimiskamingcommunitytofacilitatetheworkofthelocalcoordinator.Theexistingresearchrelationshipwiththecommunitywasasignificantfactorinfacilitatingthisprocess.Pre-focusgroupplanningwasundertakenincollaborationwithTimiskamingFirstNationBandadministration(TFN),andspecificallywithArline.Arlinehelpedwithconceptualizingtheprocess,identifyingandmanaginganon-sitecoordinator,reviewingfocusgroupquestionsandcommunityinformationwecollectedfromonlinesources(suchastheAANDCFirstNationsCommunityProfiles),andpublicoutreachfortheproject.WewereinformedthepeopleinTimiskamingmaybeexperiencing‘surveyfatigue’becauseofthe


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multipleresearchactivitiesthatinvolvetheircommunitymembers.Buttheinformationbeinggatheredwasofinteresttothecommunityleadershiptomoveforwardwiththisfocusgroup.UnderstandingthecomplexitiesinvolvedtocoordinatearesearchfocusgroupfromoutsideanIndigenouscommunityisdemonstratedbytheexperiencefromthispilotresearchproject.Thelocalfocusgroupwascoordinatedon-sitebyAudraChief,whomanagestechnicalsupportforTFN.AudrawasdelegatedtothistaskbyArline,whowasunabletoattendthefocusgroupsession.WeshouldnotethatArlineandothersattheTFNBandOfficewereextremelybusyduringthisperiodsincethecommunityschoolwasbeingevaluatedandyearendfinancialresponsibilitieswereapriority.Giventheirlimitedstaffingresourcesandcompetingpriorities,thisprojectputadditionalstrainonthepeopleworkinginTFNBandadministration.TheresearchersworkedwithArline,AudraandTimWhiteduck(TechnologyDirectorfortheFirstNationsEducationCouncil)toputtogetheraplantopromote,manageandconductthefocusgroupsremotely.Initialplanningactivitiesincluded:

• aninitialnoticeinKiwetin,theBandeducationnewsletter(mailedtoallhouseholdsinTimiskaming–seeNOTE1);

• in-personandphonerecruitmentcarriedoutbyArlineandAudra;• managingasign-upsheetattheBandoffice(seeNOTE2).• Duetolowlevelsofinitialinterest(only1or2peoplesignedup)AudraandArline

followedupafterthenewsletterwithon-siterecruitment(seeNOTE3forinformationtohelpguideselectionofparticipants).

• Wealsoincreasedthehonorariaprovidedtoparticipantsfrom$20to$40,andprovidedparticipantswithcashratherthanagiftcard.

TosupportAudra’sday-ofthefocusgroupactivities,wepreparedasetofinstructionsandreviewedthemwithherbyemailandphonepriortothesession(seeNOTE4).TheseincludedhowtoconnecttotheresearchersthroughtheBandofficevideoconferencesystem,checkpeopleofftheparticipantlist,distributeresearchconsentformsandcollectsignedcopiesaftertheywerereviewedbytheresearchers,managethefocusgroupquestionsasanon-sitecoordinator,distributehonorariatoparticipants,andmailthesignedconsentformstotheresearchers(seeNOTE5fortheresearchconsentform).TheresearchersdiscussedthisprocesswithFNECstaff,whoagreedtoprovidetechnicalsupportforthefocusgroup.Thevideoandaudiowereadequateforthevideoconference.Thesoftwarewasconfiguredsothatthepersonspeakingwasshowntotheothersites.5.GeneralCommentsontheFocusGroupFacilitation

• ThefocusgroupwasconductedbyHeatherHudsonandRobMcMahononFebruary12,2016from11amto12:30pmET.


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• Itwasinvaluabletohavetheon-sitecommunityresearchcoordinator(AudraChief)intheroom.Audrahandedoutandcollectedthesignedresearchconsentformsfromparticipants.FMCC-ISEDresearcherRobMcMahonwentthroughtheconsentprocessfromhisremotelocationinEdmonton,Alberta.Audra’spresencewasalsohelpfulinensuringthatthetechnicalconnectionworkedinTFNforthedurationofthefocusgroups.Shealsoparticipatedinthefocusgroup,handedouthonorariatotheotherparticipants,andmailedhardcopiesofthesignedconsentformstotheFMCC-ISEDresearchersfollowingtheconclusionofthefocusgroup.

• Thevideoandaudiowereadequateforthevideoconference.Thetechnologyworkedwell,andparticipantsseemedquitepositiveaboutusingit.

• Itwasdifficulttoassurethateveryoneinthegrouptookpart.Thesoftwarewasconfiguredsothatthepersonspeakingwasshowntotheothersites.Withoutseeingeveryoneinthegroupallthetime,itwashardtodrawoutthemorereticentmembers.

• Itwasusefultohavetwopeopledoinginterviewstospelleachotherofffornote-taking,andtohelpwithprobesorfollow-uponquestions.

• Thefocusgroupwasgenerallyquitetechsavvy.ItwasnotarepresentativesampleofthecommunityintermsofvariationsinincomelevelsanduseofICTs,butseveralparticipantscouldcommentonusageandperceptionsamongothersinthecommunity.

6.SummaryofKeyFindingsfromtheFocusGroupSession

• Generally,TimiskamingresidentsusetheInternetforavarietyofapplications,rangingfromstayingintouchwithfamilyandfriends,toentertainment,information-seeking,andonlineshoppingandbill-paying.TabletsandsmartphonesarepopularmeansofaccessingtheInternet.

• Mostgoonlineathome;somealsogoonlineatwork.Communityaccessisavailableatthelibrary,bandoffice,andcommunityhall.Wi-Fiisaccessibleoutsidesomebuildings.

• AyouthinthecommunityhasdevelopedanAlgonquinlanguageappthatisusedintheschoolandcanbedownloadedbyanyone.

• Therearenotanyfacilitiesfortrainingindigitaltechnologiesortechsupportinthecommunity.Peoplelearnfromeachother,andapersoninthebandofficeprovidestechnicalhelp.Acommunitylearningcentre(formerCAPsite)hasbeenshutdown.

• Affordabilityofconnectivityappearstobethemainbarriertoadoption.Pricesarehighforthoseonfixedincome,andexpensivecapsforceusersintopayingforbundlestogetflatrates.Somealsodonothavecreditcards,soareunabletopayforpost-paidservices,ortoshoponline.Someeldersdonothavetheinterestorskillstogoonline.

• Participantsthoughtthataffordabilityshouldbelinkedtoincome,withsubsidiesordiscountsforlowincomeorfixedincomeresidents.


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7.SummaryofResponsestotheQuestions Thefollowingisasummaryofresponsesbyparticipantsandisorganizedaccordingtoourresearchquestionsaskedduringthefocusgroupsession.1. DevicesusedtoaccesstheInternet:

• Tabletsandsmartphonesseemedthemostprevalent;somealsomentionedlaptops.Oneparticipantsaid“mostofthepeopleinmyhouseuse[theirmobile]phones[togoonline].”Severalalsomentionedgamingconsoles,andsaidtheyareusedtoaccessFacebookaswellastoplayonlinegames.Onepersonmentionedadesktopcomputer.

2. WherepeopleaccesstheInternet:

• MostofthisgroupaccessedtheInternetathome.Somesaidtheywentonlineatwork.

• Therearealsoseverallocationsforcommunityaccess.ThelibraryhascomputersandWi-Fi,butthefacilitiesareavailableonlyduringlibraryhours.ThetribalcouncilofficehassomecomputersandWi-Fiavailableforcommunityresidents.ESDC(EmploymentandSocialDevelopmentCanada)hastwocomputersavailableforjobsearches.

• ThecommunityhallhasjustsetupWi-Fi.Usershavetobetherewheneventsareon,unlesstheysitoutside.Thebuildingisnotopenatothertimes.AnewsportscomplexwillhaveaWi-Fihotspot.

• Wi-Ficanbeaccessedoutsidesomebuildings.ThereisWi-Fiattheschool,whichisleftoninsummer.SometimesstudentssitoutsidetheschooltoaccesstheWi-Fi.Oneparticipantsaid“Sometimespeoplesitoutsidemyhouse.”ConcerningWi-Fithatmightrequirepasswords,oneparticipantsaid:“Onceapasswordgetsout,peoplehaveit.”

• Studentsfromgrade6onareexpectedtoaccesstheInternetandsubmitassignmentsonline.Studentscangotothelibraryafterschooliftheyhavenocomputerathome.

3. Applicationsusedonline:

• Residentsuseawidevarietyofapplicationsforinformation,entertainment,onlineservices,andkeepingintouchwithfamilyandfriends.

• Socialnetworkingappearedtobethemostpopularapplication.Facebookwasmostmentioned,followedbyInstagram,SnapchatandTwitter.

• SeveralpeoplesaidtheyusetheInternettocommunicatewithfamilymembersincludinggrandchildren,andwithfriends.SkypeandFacetimeweremostpopular.OnepersonsaidshecalledonFacebookquiteoftentocommunicatewithgrandchildren.

• Forentertainment,peoplewatchNetflixandYouTube,downloadorstreammusic,andplayonlinegames.


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• Peoplepaybillsonline:“Noonegoestothebanktopaybills”,onlytocashcheques.• Residentssearchforinformation;somementionedusinganonlinedictionaryand

onlinerecipes.Onerespondentsaid“Idon’tuseacookbookanymore.”OnepersonsaidthatGooglesolvedmanymaritalarguments(!)

• SomehavetakenonlinecoursesfromAthabascaUniversity,OntarioLearn,NipissingUniversityandQuebecadulteducation.

• Severalpeoplebuygoodsande-booksonline.Somesaythereisbetterselectionorchoiceonline;onestatesthatitiseasiertosendonlinepurchasestofriends.Thereisalsoalocal“buyandsell”,online.Participantsdidnotknowofotherspeopleinthecommunitysellinggoodsorservicesonline.

• Someareconcernedaboutthesecurityofpayingonline;onementionednothavingacreditcard,sothatitwasnotpossibletobuygoodsonline.Onewasconcernedthatbuyingonlinemighthelpasellertosmugglegoods;shehadfoundabagofbeadswithfreeshippingfromChinaoneBayfor99cents,butdecidednottopurchase.

4. Connectivity:(Althoughnotformallyincludedintheinterviewquestions,connectivity

topicsandconcernswereraisedfrequently.)• SeveralpeoplementionedhavingbundlesofInternet,cableTV,andphone(onesaid

hedidnotusethephone,butthebundlewasthecheapestoption.)• SeveralsaidtheyhadunlimitedInternetathome–nonespecifiedspeed.Somesaid

theyhadupgradedfromlowerpricedoptionswithhighoveragecharges.• Mostdidnotusemobileserviceforvideo.OneparticipanthadboughtanAndroid

boxandsmartTVtowatchmovies.• Concerningtelephoneservice,somepeoplehaveahomelandline,othersjustcell

phone.Moreandmorepeopleinthecommunityaregettingridoflandlines.Iftheyhaveunlimitedaccessonacellphone,theydon’tneedalandline.TheyalsouseSkype(seeabove)totalktotheirkids.

• SomewereinterestedingettingMagicJack(adiscountVoIPphoneservice).Otherssaidthatitwasnotgoodquality,withstaticandhisses,andnotworthusing.

• OnepersonmentionedhavingappstomakephonecallsonaniPad.5. Communitycontent:

• Theparticipantscouldnotthinkofanycontentproducedbycommunitymembers.SomementionedlocalFacebookpostings.Theywerenotawareofanylocalbusinessesorservicesmarketedonline.

• Thebandofficeanditsdepartmentshavewebsites.Thehealthcentreandschoolalsohavewebsites.Somecommentedthattheschoolwebsiteisusedfrequently,butonesaidthatitisnotupdatedveryoften.

• Apersoninthebandofficemanagesitswebsites.Participantsthoughtothersinthecommunityhadskillstomanagewebsites,butaren’tusingthem.

• Majorsourcesoflocalinformationarethecommunityradiostation,newsletter,flyersinthemail.TheBandOfficeandHealthCentrehavenewsletters.Theseare


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popular–manypeoplecallaboutarticles,misspellings.Thenewsletterisalsoavailableonlineandasanemail;peoplecanasktobeontheiremaillist.

• Peoplelistentotheradiointheircars,butitsreachislimited.• Thereistalkaboutstreamingthecommunityradiostation.Theyaretesting

streaming,whichcouldbeusefultoreachpeoplelivingoutsidethecommunity.TheNewLiskeardradiostationstreamsonline.

6.ContentintheAlgonquinlanguage:

• AnAlgonquinlanguagetranslationappforiPhoneandiPadwasdevelopedlocallybythesonofAlgonquinlanguageteacher.Hehasjustreleasedanupdatedversion.Itisusedinschool,andcanbedownloadedanywhere.

• WrittenAlgonquinusestheRomanalphabetandregularkeyboard(notsyllabics).OneparticipantsaidthathecommunicateswithhiscousinsinAlgonquinonFacebookforprivacy–sothatothersdon’tknowwhattheyaresaying.

7.Contentabouttraditionalactivities:

• Facebookpagesarethemostpopularwaystoshareinformation,includingtraditionaleventssuchassweatlodges.AculturalaffairspersoninthecommunitypostsinformationonFacebook.

• TheTimiskamingFirstNationwebsitealsohasaculturalpage,pagesforhockeygamesandotheractivities.Mostsaidtheydonotusethewebsite;somefeltinformationwasnotupdatedfrequentlyenough.Theypointedoutthatthewebsiteisusefultoprovideinformationfor“peopleawayfromthecommunity.”About40percentofbandmembersliveoff-reserve.Onepersonalsogoestothewebsitetodownloadandreadarchivednewsletters.

• Participantsalsomentionedflyersinthemailandlocalradioasasourceofinformationaboutculturalactivities.

• OnepersonsaidthataccesstoFacebookisblockedathisworkplace.

8.Availabilityoflocaldigitaltechnologiestrainingandtechsupport:• Theredoesnotappeartobeanyresourcefortrainingindigitaltechnologies.• Peoplelearnfromeachother,andfromtheirkids.“Grandkidsareteachingus.”“Iam

constantlyteachingmyhusbandaboutFacebook.”• Somesaidtheylearnedatwork,buttherewasnoofficialtraining.Onepersontook

coursesonhisown.• SomehadtakencoursesonsoftwaresuchasExcelandotherWindowsOffice

programs.Someemployersofferupgradingcourses.• OnesaidthatacoursecouldpossiblybedevelopedwithESDC.• ThecommunityusedtohaveaLearningResourceCentrewhichhelpedElders,

offeredcoursesandhelpwithMSOffice,etc.Itclosedwhenthemanagerleft(hewaspartofthefocusgroup.)ThiswaspreviouslyaCAPsite.Somethoughtsuchacentrecouldstillbeusefulforpeoplewithoutaccesstofacilitiesorwantingtogainskills.


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• ApersonatthebandofficewhoparticipatedinthefocusgroupsaidthatpartofherjobistohelpwithICTproblems.Shealsohelpsathome.Shelearnedonthejob,andalsotooksometrainingonline.Afewlocalpeopleprovidetechservicesasasidelinebusiness,notamajorbusiness.

• TheclosestplacetogethelpfromabusinessisNewLiskeard,butthey“chargeanarmandaleg,”andsomestoreshaveclosed.

9.ProblemsorbarrierstoICTadoptionoruse:

• Themajorproblemraisedbyseveralparticipantsisthepriceofconnectivity.Othertopicsraisedwereonlinespeed,thepriceofequipmentandlackoffacilitiesinthecommunity.

• Facilities:Thereisnoplaceforprintingorscanning.• Speed:Somesaidtheyneededhigherspeedorpackagesbecauseseveralpeoplein

thehouseareonlineatthesametime,forexample,fourkidsrunningdifferentgames,TV,apps,etc.

• PriceofConnectivity:Priceisachallenge.Peoplefeelpricingisnotfair.Variouspriceswerecited:• $54/month-$130/$140/month• Bundlesat$160/$170/month• Onementionedapriceof$90butwentovercapin3days.Thechoicewastopay

atleast$50permonthforoverage,oradd$30permonthtoupgradetoahigherlimitwithbasiccableandInternet.

• Onepersontriedtopurchaseapackagewithalargeprepaymenttoqualifyforasign-upbonus,withtheprepaymenttoberefundedafter3months.However,shedidnothaveacreditcardsocouldnotaccessthespecialoffer.

• OnepersonsaidParolinkrequires$600for(fixedwireless)equipment.[Theirwebsitecurrentlylistsaninitialupfrontpaymentof$125.)

• SomepeoplethinkInternetisaluxurycomparedtonecessitieslikefoodandshelter,sotheydon’tsubscribe.ThemonthlycostofInternetaccessissmallcomparedtosomeotheritems,butit’sstillhigh.Iftwopeopleinthehouseholdaren’tworking,theycouldn’taffordit.Manypeoplecannotaffordit[NOTE:nospecificnumbersweregivenoravailable].Peopleonfixedincomecan’taffordInternetaccess;forexample,onepersonsaidshehadreceivedonly$600permonthwhileonassistance,sowouldnothavebeenabletopayforInternet.

• Forcellservice,manypeopleoptforpay-as-you-goratherthanmonthlyplanstosavecosts.Plansaretooexpensive.SomeuseWi-FifortextmessagesandiMessenger;someusesmartphoneswithWi-Fitoavoidusingupdataonmobileplans.

• DefiningInternetaffordability:Thegroupdiscussedhowtheywoulddefineaffordability,andfeltthatthepriceshouldbe“fair.”“Freewouldbenice”,buttherewasgeneralagreementthatpriceshouldberelatedtoincome:thoseonfixedorlowincomesshouldhaveareducedprice.


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• Priceforequipment:Electronicsarepricedoutofsomepeople’srange.EspeciallydifficulttobuyforchildrenwhowantaniPad,orcellphone;it’stooexpensive.Notebookshavecomedowninprice,butequipmentisexpensiveifyouwanttobuyforseveralkidsinthefamily.

• Somepost-secondarycoursesrequireApplecomputers(Macs),butnonearepubliclyavailable.ParticipantsinthegroupsaidtheyhavePCsbecausetheyarecheaper.

• Onecouplehadtopay$1,000toupgradetheircellphones.• Onepersonfeltskillsarenotreallyabarrierformostbutthenaddedpeoplelearn

howtomakethetechnologieswork.• SomeEldersdon’tseetheneedfortheInternet.Oneparticipantcommented:“We

showthemfunnyvideos”andtheylikeit.Forothersintheir70s,“It’saconstantlearningcurve”--showingparentshowtouseatablet,etc.

• Mostpeopleareinvolvedinusingtechnologyfordifferentpurposes.• Somepeopleuseitforwork• Kidsaremoreuptospeed.Theyliketechnology,anduseitalot• SomeEldersdon’thaveknowledgeorinterest• Asmallergroupisfrustratedandfeelthattheyhavetouseitbutdon’treallywant

to.Theyaregettingpushedtogoonline,topaybillsandtogetservicesthatarebecomingonline-only.

• Creditcardsandsecurity:Manypeopleusecreditcardsforonlineshopping,butsomedon’thavecreditcards.Someworryaboutcreditcardinformationonline.Onepersondoesn’tusePayPal,saidshewas“hackedtoomanytimes.”

• Software,content:SeveralcitedproblemswithQuebecgovernmentwebsites;manyareinFrenchonly.Translationisnotavailableonthesite,orthe“English”buttoncannotbefoundordoesnotwork.SometryGoogleTranslatetogetinformationfromthesesites.PeopleneedtousetheInternetforQuebecgovernmentinformation;otherwise,theyhavetotraveltoRouyntogotogovernmentofficeinperson.Iftheydon’tspeakFrench,theygetpoorservice.Participantssaidthestaffarerudeorhardtounderstand,sopeopleprefertogetinformationonlineandtrytotranslateitthemselves.

• Somepeoplearefrustratedthatsomegovernmentservicesareonlyavailableonline.• Somewerefrustratedwhentheywereforcedtoupgradetonewsoftwareversions,

suchaswindowsupdatefromXPtoVista.10.Planningforfuturecommunicationneedsforthecommunity:

ThefocusgroupmemberswereunabletoidentifyanyoneinTimiskaminginvolvedinplanningforfuturecommunicationtechnologyneeds.Somefelt“thereareotherpriorities.”


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NOTE1:NoticeaboutFocusGroupsPublishedinTimiskamingEducationNewsletter

HowisTimiskamingFirstNationanditscitizensusingdigitaltechnologies?WeinviteyoutoparticipateininterviewstohelpunderstandhowFirstNationsareusingdigitaltechnologiesacrossCanada.

**11amonFebruary12,2016attheBandAdministrationoffice**ThisresearchprojectisfundedbyInnovation,ScienceandEconomicDevelopmentCanada.ItwillbeconductedbyresearchersfromtheFirstMileConnectivityConsortium(FMCC)andQuebec’sFirstNationsEducationCouncil(FNEC)workingwithTimiskaming’sEducationDepartment.TheFMCCisanon-profitorganizationcomposedofFirstNationstelecommunicationsorganizationsandtheirassociates.TheFMCCisconcernedwithimprovingtelecommunicationsinruralandremotecommunities.FMCCisworkingonastudytounderstandhowIndigenouspeopleacrossCanada’sNorthusedigitaltechnologiessuchascomputers,smartphonesandtheInternet.WewouldliketointerviewcommunitymemberswhocanhelpusunderstandhowthesetechnologiesareusedinTimiskaming,andifthereareanyproblemsorbarrierstotheiruse.Wewillbediscussinghowindividualsusethesetechnologiesinyourcommunity,andalsohowothermembersoftheirhouseholdusethem.Theinterviewwillbeafocusgroupwithamaximumof10peopleandwilltakebetween1–1.5hours.Wearelookingforparticipantsfromdifferentwalksoflifewhocantalkabout:

Theiruseofcomputers,smartphonesandtheInternetathomeandatworkUseofcomputers,smartphone,andtheInternetintheirhouseholdInternetusebyyouthandothersinthecommunity

WewouldalsoliketotalkwithsomeparticipantswhodonotusetheInternet,orarefamiliarwithpeoplewhodonotusetheInternet.WewouldliketoincludesomeparticipantswhoarefamiliarwithuseoftheInternetatworkplacesandinthecommunity,suchas:

Bandoffice


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Library,otherpubliccommunityaccesssitesNon-profitorganizationsGovernmentofficesBusinesses:store,otherbusiness

Peoplewhosignupwillbeaskedtoprovidesomebriefbackgroundinformation.Participantswillreceiveagiftcardafterthevideoconference.

**PleasesignupforthefocusgroupatthefrontdeskoftheBandOffice.**PLEASENOTETHATBECAUSEOFTHELIMITATIONSOFTHESTUDY,ITMAYNOTBEPOSSIBLEFOREVERYONEWHOSIGNSUPTOPARTICIPATE.


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NOTE2:Sign-upSheet:FocusGrouponUsingDigitalTechnologies

Name ContactInfo

Gender Age IusetheInternet OR–Idon’tusetheInternet

AtHome

AtWork

AtSchool

Other


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NOTE3:InformationtoGuideSelectionofFocusGroupParticipants:WeareworkingonastudyfundedbythefederalgovernmenttounderstandhowIndigenouspeopleintheNorthusedigitaltechnologiessuchascomputers,smartphonesandtheInternet.WewouldliketointerviewcommunitymemberswhocanhelpusunderstandhowthesetechnologiesareusedinTimiskaming,andifthereareanyproblemsorbarrierstousethatpeopleencounter.Theinterviewwilltaketheformofafocusgroupofamaximumof10people.Wewillprimarilybediscussinghowindividualsusethesetechnologies,andalsohowothermembersoftheirhouseholdusethem.Wewouldlikesomeparticipantswhocantalkabout:Theirownuseofcomputers,smartphonesandtheInternetUseofcomputers,smartphone,InternetintheirhouseholdSomeparticipantswhoarefamiliarwithyouthuseofInternetSomeparticipantswhoarefamiliarwithElders’useoftheInternet,orwhytheydonottheuseInternetWewouldalsoliketoincludesomeparticipantswhoarefamiliarwithuseoftheInternetatworkplacesandinthecommunity,suchas:BandofficeLibrary,othercommunityaccessNonprofitorganizationsGovernmentofficesBusinesses:store,otherbusinessFinally,wewouldliketoincludepeoplewhodonotusetheInternetortechnologieslikecomputersorsmartphones.Wecreatedasign-upsheetforthisprojectattheBandOffice.Whileweappreciateeveryonewhosignsup,wecanonlyhostamaximumof10participantsinthefocusgroup.**Allparticipantswillreceiveasmallgiftfortheirparticipation.**


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NOTE4:FocusGroupInstructionsforCommunityResearchCoordinator Subject:TimiskamingTechnologyFocusGrouponFeb.12HelloAudra,ThanksforhelpinguswiththeTimiskamingfocusgrouponFriday.IwasjusttalkingtoArlineandshetoldmethatyoucanhelpussetupthevideoconferencesystem,greetpeoplewhentheyarriveattheBandOfficeandgothroughthe'informedconsent'.I'llcallyouonFridaymorning(10:30amyourtime)tocheckin.TimWhiteduckfromFNECandresearcherHeatherHudson(cc'dhere)willbeinvolvedinthefocusgroups.FNECishelpingwiththevideoconferencelink.Pleaseseebelowforalistofthestepsinvolved.I'mnotsureifArlineisplanningtoprovideparticipantswithcashorwithaWalmartgiftcertificate.Canyoucheckwithherandshe'llgiveyouthattoprovidefortheparticipants.Iattachedthe'ConsentForm'.Canyoupleasegothroughthiswithparticipantsandaskthemtosignit.ThencollectedthesignedcopiesandpassthemontoArline,whocanmailthemtous.Ialsoattachedalistofthequestionswe'llbeaskinginthefocusgroup.Ifyouhaveanyquestionsaboutanyofthis,mycellis780-288-7151.Haveagoodday,talktoyousoon,RobHerearethesteps:1)WorkwithTimtosetupvideoconferencesystemtoconnectTimiskamingwithFNECandRob/Heather(researchers)2)Greetparticipantsandtickthemoffthesign-upsheet.3)Gothroughthe'informedconsent'agreement.Thisisrequiredforethics.IcantalkthroughitwithyouonMonday.


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4)Askparticipantstosignthe'informedconsent'agreement(seeattached).Collectsignedsheets.5)Focusgrouptakesplace6)Oncefocusgroupends,handoutmoney/giftcardtoparticipants.7)Mailsigned'informedconsent'agreementstoprojectresearchers.IthinkthisisallthestepsbutIwillgothroughitagainonMondaytomakesure.Thanksagainforyourhelpwiththisproject!Callanytimeifyouhavequestions:1-780-288-7151.HaveagoodweekendandI'lltalktoyouonMonday,Rob


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NOTE5:ConsentFormforTimiskamingFocusGroupParticipants

ProjectInformationandConsentForm–VideoconferenceFocusGroupsinTimiskamingThecommunitycoordinatorwillreviewthefollowinginformationverballywithparticipantsandaskthemforwrittenconsent.Acopyofthisprojectandconsentinformationsheetwillbedistributedtoallparticipants.ImportantInformationYouarebeingaskedtoparticipateinaresearchprojectfundedbythedepartmentofInnovation,ScienceandEconomicDevelopmentCanada.TheresearchfocusesondigitaltechnologyadoptioninNorthernIndigenouscommunities.Theinformationprovidedbelowwillhelpyouunderstandexactlywhatisbeingaskedofyou.Pleasereadthisformcarefullyandaskallthequestionsyouwantbeforedecidingtoparticipateornotinthisresearch.Pleasetakewhatevertimeyouneedtoreachyourdecision,andconsultwithothersifyouwish.Yourparticipationinthisstudyiscompletelyvoluntary.ThisresearchprojecthasbeenreviewedandapprovedbytheEducationDepartmentinTimiskamingFirstNation.Theprojectresearchershavebeentrainedtoconductresearchinawaythatisrespectfulofparticipatingcommunities.Ifyouhaveanyquestionsorconcernsaboutthisresearchproject,pleasecontacttheprojectresearcherRobMcMahon.Contactinformationisatthebottomofthisform.DescriptionoftheProjectThisresearchprojectwillinvestigatehowpeoplelivinginTimiskamingareadoptingdigitaltechnologiessuchassocialmediaapplicationsandbroadbandnetworks.ThisresearchisfundedbythedepartmentofInnovation,ScienceandEconomicDevelopmentCanada.ItwillcontributetoeffortstoimproveaccesstodigitaltechnologiestomeettheneedsofthepeopleandorganizationsinNorthernIndigenouscommunities.WearealsoresearchingwhatmethodscanbeusedtolearnmoreaboutuseofdigitaltechnologiesintheNorthsothatinformationmaybecollectedinothercommunitiesinthefuture.AsummaryofthecommentsmadeinthefocusgroupwillbeprovidedtotheTimiskamingEducationDepartment.ThisworkwillresultinareportsubmittedtothedepartmentofInnovation,ScienceandEconomicDevelopmentCanada.Theresultsofthereportwillbepubliclyavailable.Projectresearchersmayusesomeofthedatacollectedinthisresearchfor


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futureacademicpublicationsbutintheeventthattheinformationisusedinsuchaway,theinvolvedresearcher(s)willapplytotheiruniversityResearchEthicsBoardtoreceiveapproval.TwoFirstNationstechnologyorganizationsarepartnersinthisresearchprojectandareprovidingfeedbackandsupportonresearchdesign,methodsandquestions:

FirstNationsEducationCouncilbasedinWendake,QuebecFirstNationsTechnologyCouncilbasedinVancouver,B.C.

ProcedureThefocusgroupinvolvesparticipatinginavideoconferenceduringwhichyouandotherswilldiscussdigitaltechnologyadoptioninyourcommunitywithtrainedresearchers.Thiswilltakeaboutonehourtoanhourandahalf.Thediscussionis*NOT*confidential,butyourcommentswillremainanonymous.Anythingyousayatthevideoconferencefocusgroupcanbemadeavailabletothelargercommunity,othercommunities,theFirstNationsorganizationpartners,andtheresearchers,thedepartmentofInnovation,ScienceandEconomicDevelopmentCanada,andthegeneralpublic.Youshouldalwaysbecarefulwhendisclosingpersonalinformationandshouldnotdisclosepersonalinformationrelatedtoothermembersofthefocusgroup.Thefocusgroupisrecorded;writtentranscriptswillbemadeoftherecordingandthentheoriginalrecordingwillbearchived.Participants’nameswillNOTappearinanyreportsorarticlesabouttheresearch.TheinformationgatheredwillbeanalyzedtoprovideoverallfindingsandrecommendationstothedepartmentofInnovation,ScienceandEconomicDevelopmentCanadaregardingdigitaltechnologyadoptioninNorthernIndigenouscommunities.YouarewelcometocontacttheprojectresearcherRobMcMahontorequestpubliclyavailabledocumentsonthisstudy.PotentialHarmsandBenefitsTheresearchersarenotawareofanyrisksordiscomfortsassociatedwithyourparticipationinthisresearch.Ifpotentialharmsarediscovered,youwillbeinformedassoonaspossible.YourparticipationwillcontributetooureffortinlearningaboutdigitaltechnologyadoptionandFirstNationcommunities,andwillbeincludedinapubliclyavailablereporttoInnovation,ScienceandEconomicDevelopmentCanada.PrivacyandConfidentialityDespitetherequesttorespectothers'privacy,researcherscannotcontrolwhatotherparticipantsdowiththeinformationsharedduringthefocusgroupafterthestudyisover.Alldata,notes,andtranscriptsarestoredinalockedofficeandallinformationgatheredfromyouwillbeconfidential.Suchdatawillberetainedforatmost12monthsbeforeitisdestroyed.Datafromthestudywillbesummarizedtoprovideoverallfindingsandrecommendationsfortheresearchteamandyouridentitywillnotberevealed.


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CompensationYouwillbegivenanhonorariumforyourparticipationandtime.Youwillbegiventhiscompensationwhenthefocusgrouphasbeencompleted.LegalRightsByacceptingthisconsentform,youarenotwaivinganyofyourlegalrights.VoluntaryParticipationandRighttoWithdrawYourparticipationiscompletelyvoluntaryandyoumayendyourparticipationinthefocusgroupatanytime,withtheunderstandingthatanycontributionsyouhavemadeinthefocusgroupupuntilthatpointwillremainintherecordingandtranscriptofthefocusgroup.ContactInformationFormoreinformationaboutthisresearchproject,pleasecontact:ProjectResearcher:RobMcMahon,FirstMileConnectivityConsortium,Edmonton,AB.Tel:1-780-288-7151,[email protected],___________________________,havereadandunderstandtheinformationgiveninthisformandallmyquestionshavebeenansweredtomysatisfaction.Ihavehadsufficienttimetoconsiderwhetherornottoparticipateinthestudyandconsenttoparticipate.IunderstandthatmyparticipationiscompletelyvoluntaryandthatImaywithdrawfromthestudyatanytimewithoutpenalty._______________________________ _______________________________Signature DateCommunityCoordinatorTothebestofmyknowledge,theinformationonthisconsentformandtheinformationIhaveprovidedinansweringanyquestionsfairlyrepresentstheresearchstudy.Iamcommittedtoparticipatinginthisstudyincompliancewithallethicalstandardsthatapplytoprojectsthatinvolvehumansubjects.Iwillensurethattheparticipantreceivesacopyofthisconsentform.____________________________ ___________________________ __________________Name Signature Date

appendix 4: online focus group in timiskaming first nation...

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