First Nations Connect Conference Brian Beaton K-Net Coordinator Valhalla Inn, Thunder Bay February, 2002 Kuh-ke-nah Smart First Nations Demonstration Project "Making Connections: K-Net's Business Case" Telecommunications & Development in Keewaytinook Okimakanak First Nations

THE PEOPLE and THE COMMUNITIES

K-Net Account Penetration Local Area and Municipal Area Networking Capacity Building Community Access to the Internet Website Utilization Helpdesk Services Network Design and Strategy Development Affordable Network Access Growth in Digital Service in First Nations HOW WE GOT HERE...

Summary of Highlights an aggregated market for advanced telecom services pent up demand by diverse (health, justice, business and educational) applications providers growing digital literacy rates among users human resource development in key sectors design and successful implementation of technological solutions that address specialized regional needs the emergence of an affordable and effective networking model broadband access - JOBS, JOBS, JOBS!!

KEEWAYTINOOK OKIMAKANAK’s SMART PROJECT another step in the development of broadband services in KO First Nations one of 12 “demonstration” projects in Canada ( demonstrate and share models and lessons learned for remote ICT development funding from Industry Canada - Smart Communities & FedNor, INAC, NOHF, Health Canada, HRDC up to $9.5 M over three years

WHAT IS KUH-KE-NAH? e-Centres in each First Nation Very high speed connectivity Skills development in ICT’s the Keewaytinook Internet High School (KiHS) Develop & Support Telehealth Services Kuh-ke-nah Portal Data Warehouse Share / Sell services, best practices and products (caching technology)

The Chiefs of Keewaytinook Okimakanak recognized the importance of introducing communication technologies into their communities… …in each First Nation…all are centred on the protection and maintenance of the Native language and culture….

Access to telehealth services such the Keewaytinook Okimakanak telepsychiatry project makes it possible for families and individuals living in the remote First Nations to work with health professionals in other centres.

The Keewaytinook Internet High School makes it possible for young people to stay in their home community to obtain their secondary school courses…

Economic Prosperity is furthered because First Nation artists and craftspeople are now able to display and sell their works to people from around the world Derek Harper - Donald Meekis - Emily Bluecoat, Mary-Anne & Edna Thomas -

The Assembly of First Nations and Telesat say that satellite- based high-speed Internet and video conferencing can be provided to 633 native communities by 2004 for $400 million- $500 million. The AFN says it will raise $112 million; it wants Ottawa to include the rest in its December budget. Angus TeleManagement Group, Telecom Update- Number 308: November 12, 2001 ***************************************** Executive Summary of AFN Proposal to the Government of Canada for the Deployment of Broadband Services to First Nations Proposal Final Oct pdf ASSEMBLY OF FIRST NATIONS’ BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY PLAN

National Broadband Task Force Networking the Nation for Broadband Access Definition of “broadband” – dynamic and varies according to needs of end users (minimum – support interactive video – 1.5 Mbps symmetrical) First priority to connect First Nations, Inuit, rural and remote communities Recommendation of two models for infrastructure deployment – the Infrastructure Support Model, and the Community Aggregator Model Partnership approach between all sectors, with strong role for communities Equitable and Affordable Access to Broadband All communities, institutions, businesses and individuals in Canada should have equitable and affordable access to broadband services and to the widest possible range of content and service providers. (NBTF Report, June 2001, page 9)

Canadian E-Business Opportunities Roundtable February 2001 Making e-Business Canada’s Business (page 4) Some of the findings: level of connectivity is among the highest in the world many large, traditional businesses are now going on-line and dealing with consumers, suppliers and other businesses on-line new venture capital investment has reached record highs Challenges and Opportunities: “Canada must come to terms with the fact that there is no more business as usual. … All businesses will have to become e-businesses in some form to survive” accelerating the adoption of e-business technology is still driving much of the wealth creation in Canada and worldwide escalating the competition for talent, capital and jobs across companies, industries and nations

NEXT STEPS provision of fair and equitable telecom services in First Nations across the region and the country common network interface no such thing as excess network capacity clearinghouse structure for sharing of best practices and lessons-learned (strategic information, project designs, network advice, successful funding proposals, etc) incubation and transfer of practical and affordable projects for telecommunications and development across Nishnawbe Aski Nation and in other First Nations formation of national and international partnerships with other indigenous and non-indigenous groups

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE KUH-KE-NAH NETWORK Website - ( ) Geordi Kakepetum, Ex Dir Brian Beaton, Coordinator K-Net Services at KNET (5638)