putting the ‘last-mile’ first: re-framing broadband development in first nations and inuit...
TRANSCRIPT
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
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
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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
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What did we do?
Synthesis of existing research
Highlighted leadership shown by communities
Invited participation and collaboration
Published a PDF final report
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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
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
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Study Limitations
Relatively short time frame
Danger of conflating diverse communities
Attention to existing regulatory/institutional frameworks
More involvement from members of Inuit communities
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Core Concepts
‘Community-based’ ICT Development
‘Last-mile’ to ‘First-mile’
Broadband Infrastructure and Connectivity Services
Broadband-enabled Public and Community Services
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‘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
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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
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Broadband Infrastructure
+
Connectivity Services
Broadband-enabled Public and Community Services
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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
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Ch. 2 – How Communities are Using Broadband Infrastructure and Connectivity Services
Health and Wellness
Education
Culture and Language
Economic Development
Government
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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)
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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)
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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
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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
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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
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Contacts for more info
Primary Investigators: Dr. Susan O’Donnell (UNB): [email protected] Dr. Richard Smith (SFU): [email protected]
Researchers: Rob McMahon (SFU): [email protected] Jason Simmonds (UNB): [email protected]
Research Partners: Brian Beaton (KO-KNET): [email protected] Brian Walmark (KORI): [email protected] Kevin Burton (FNHD): [email protected] Sue Hanley (FNTC): [email protected] Tim Whiteduck (FNEC): [email protected]
First Mile Project Website: http://www.firstmile.ca
Listserv: http://www.sfu.ca/cprost/tacs-list.html 19