The First Mile

The First Mile The First Mile project celebrates locally owned and managed First Nations broadband projects and Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs).

The ‘First Mile’ refers to locally driven broadband initiatives. First Mile broadband includes infrastructure and networks, and it focuses on local connectivity from the perspective of a community. Across Canada, First Nations are building broadband systems. To be effective, these systems must be designed and implemented with local communities from the very start. Community members need access to

bandwidth and proper training. With these tools, they can help shape technologies to meet local needs. First Nations governments recognize they need a high broadband capacity to support their delivery of community and social services. Services such as videoconferencing, telemedicine and e-learning can be viewed as essential services for rural and remote First Nations communities, and these services depend on a strong and reliable bandwidth connection. Locally owned networks also support future development because local control means First Nations can decide what to do with these tools. Locally controlled infrastructure also has economic benefits for the community. The First Mile project explores and celebrates the ways that First Nations communities implement and utilize broadband and ICT to deliver essential services to community members. The First Mile project is a partnership between First Nation ICT regional networks, and university-based researchers. The First Nations partners are:
Keewaytinook Okimakanak (KO) in Ontario
First Nation Help Desk (FNHD) in Atlantic Canada
First Nations Education Council (FNEC) in Quebec

The University partners are:
Simon Fraser University in B.C. The University of New Brunswick

To learn more about the First Mile concept and about the activities of the First Mile Project, visit: http://www.firstmile.ca

03/23/2015

A new Firstmile website will be launched soon!

New First Mile video! Technology use in Kahnawake community schools.
06/11/2014

New First Mile video! Technology use in Kahnawake community schools.

This video shows how the Mohawk community of Kahnawake is using technology in its schools. It was produced by Kameron LaHache and the Kahnawake Education Cen...

New First Mile video documenting K'atl'odeeche First Nation's Fiber Optic Construction project (2011)
10/29/2013

New First Mile video documenting K'atl'odeeche First Nation's Fiber Optic Construction project (2011)

In 2011, Katlodeeche First Nation completed the construction of its local broadband fiber optic network. This short four minute video documents the project. ...

07/09/2013

On June 19 and 20, 2013 the First Mile connectivity consortium, K'atl'odeeche First Nation and the Eeyou Communications Network presented to the CRTC regarding several aspects of Northwestel's proposed Modernization Plan. Generally, the three parties focused on issues of access, affordability, and the potential for infrastructure development in the North to support economic and community development. They argued that northern residents should be offered opportunities to participate in these developments as producers as well as consumers of telecommunications services.
Read more: http://meeting.knet.ca/mp19/mod/resource/view.php?id=4076

03/27/2013
Free Webinar on rural broadband in CanadaWhen: Thursday, March 21, 2013 (please RSVP by March 19)Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m....
03/15/2013

Free Webinar on rural broadband in Canada
When: Thursday, March 21, 2013 (please RSVP by March 19)
Time: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (CST)
For more information or to register contact Rural Development Institute at: [email protected] / 204-571-8550

Four webinar presenters will share their experience and their role in tackling some of the challenges on rural broadband in Canada.

More information: rural-research-network.blogspot.ca/2013/03/webinars-from-rural-divide-to-rural.html

Rural research, Recherche rurale, Canada

03/08/2013

An article from Indian Country Today discusses some links between nation (re)building and technology development. It offers some useful learning resources, including:

* Code Academy [ http://www.codecademy.com ]
* Free online tech certificate courses offered through edX [ https://www.edx.org/ ]

The author writes: "[N]ews stories report that even in our current mess of unemployment and the economy, employers still struggle to fill positions in programming jobs. So these jobs do exist. Consequently for us, as more of Indian Country gains access to broadband technologies (cable, DSL, fiber, cable, and wireless), then programming is an ideal job for remote regions since software development is a field that easily allows for telecommuting"

Read the full article here : http://indiancountrytodaymedianetwork.com/opinion/tribalism-and-technology-computer-liberation-148063

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