Sparrow McLeod, a Youth Worker Assistant in Neyaashiinigmiing, dropped out of high school because the lack of Internet connectivity deeply affected her studies after the pandemic.
Learning today is so reliant on the Internet that it is very challenging for students to access curriculum and complete assignments. Layer on the impact of the pandemic and the requirements of remote learning, we were helpless to support students and their desire to learn. Students lost an entire year, opting out of school feeling unsupported and undervalued by the system.”
This is only one of the challenges the Chippewas of Nawash face due to the lack of reliable connectivity, impacting areas like healthcare and local economic development. However, through investments in a community network initiative combined with skills development programs, there is promise of change.
Read the full report to learn how the local initiative is bridging the digital divide with support from the National Research Council of Canada and the Internet Society. You can also watch their video testimonials, both shorter and longer versions are available.
