Indigenous communities face unique challenges to Internet access and inclusion. To address this digital divide, the Internet Society is bringing together community network operators, Internet service providers, community members, researchers, policy makers and Indigenous leadership at Indigenous Connectivity Summits.
Indigenous Connectivity
Including Indigenous voices in the decisions and solutions that shape the Internet is a critical part of closing the connectivity gap in rural and remote communities around the world. #CountMyVoice
Let’s continue the conversations we’ve started at the Summits! Do you want to connect your Indigenous community? Do you want to support Indigenous connectivity? You can find ever-growing resources on topics including community networks, cultural preservation, and Indigenous-driven access. Although we began this conversation in North America, our hope is that all Indigenous communities around the world will have the opportunity to connect to the Internet.
Get Involved
There are several ways you can take part:
- Continue the conversation on Twitter with #indigenet2018
- Participate in FCC Tribal Consultations
- Get Updates from the National Congress of American Indians on Telecom
- Join the National Tribal Telecommunications Association
- Apply for ICANN Global Indigenous Ambassador Program
When it comes to connecting the world, everyone’s voice counts.
Resources
- Watch the recorded Indigenous Connectivity Summit 2018 Livestream
- Understanding Community Broadband: The Alberta Broadband Toolkit
- Free Online Course: Colonialism and the e-Community
- Stories from the First Mile: Digital Technologies in Remote and Rural Indigenous Communities
- Inforum Course: Introduction to Network Operations
- Inforum Course: Building Wireless Community Networks
- Policy Brief: Spectrum Approaches for Community Networks
- Unleashing Community Networks: Innovative Licensing Approaches
- Resources compiled by The Dynamic Coalition on Community Connectivity (DC3)
- Watch the recorded Indigenous Connectivity Summit 2017 livestream
- Read Indigenous Connectivity Summit 2017 presentations
- Watch the 1st-Mile Institute’s video profiles of Indigenous Connectivity Summit 2017 participants
- Federal Communications Commission 2018 Broadband Deployment Report
- Federal Communications Commission 2018 Broadband Progress Report
- Broadband Connectivity in Rural Canada: Overcoming the Digital Divide
- Signs of digital distress: Mapping broadband availability and subscription in American neighborhoods
- Broadband Internet Service Coverage in Canada
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Indigenous Connectivity Summit Community Report
Executive Summary The Indigenous Connectivity Summit, held November 8 and 9, 2017, at Hotel Santa Fe in Santa Fe,...
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Unleashing Community Networks: Innovative Licensing Approaches
Introduction The Internet Society (ISOC) aims to make the Internet available for everyone, everywhere. ISOC works with industry, government,...
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Policy Brief: Spectrum Approaches for Community Networks
Introduction The Internet Society’s goal is to make the Internet available for everyone, everywhere. 1 The Internet currently reaches...
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A policy framework for enabling Internet access
This policy framework provides recommendations policymakers can use to flexibly create their own Internet-enabling environment.
Indigenous Connectivity in the News
- Why are Indigenous People such avid users of Social Media?
- 2017, Indigenous, Global, culture preservation
- Broadband Bruce: Fighting Canada’s Digital Divide
- Native Communities look to DIY model to get online
- Internet as an act of reconciliation
- Internet Connectivity in Indigenous Communities (Episode 34)
- From the Arctic’s Melting Ice, an Unexpected Digital Hub
- ‘A good start’: High-speed internet to reach 112 rural, remote Manitoba communities
- Federal government urged to address Canada’s $7-billion rural broadband shortfall
Investing in Indigenous Connectivity Is an Investment in Our Future Online
Community Networks
7 January 2019
Investing in Indigenous Connectivity Is an Investment in Our Future Online
There’s one New Year’s resolution we can bank on to improve the health and livelihoods of millions of people...
Native Americans Create a Connected Future
In the News
1 November 2018
Native Americans Create a Connected Future
The Housing Assistance Council's Rural Voices
Human Connection Frames Success of 2018 Indigenous Connectivity Summit
Community Networks
18 October 2018
Human Connection Frames Success of 2018 Indigenous Connectivity Summit
The Internet is an incredible tool that can help amplify voices that may not otherwise be heard. But when...
Prioritizing Indigenous Connectivity in North America
Connecting the World
11 October 2018
Prioritizing Indigenous Connectivity in North America
It never ceases to amaze me how quickly technology evolves. In 2007, the iPhone was released and dramatically transformed...
Indigenous Connectivity Summit – My Perspective
Connecting the World
8 October 2018
Indigenous Connectivity Summit – My Perspective
As the Director of Technology for the Southern California Tribal Chairmen’s Association I’ve been working with Native communities in...
CRTC Fund Makes Important Commitment to Indigenous Connectivity Solutions
Connecting the World
4 October 2018
CRTC Fund Makes Important Commitment to Indigenous Connectivity Solutions
While a new fund by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has disappointed some Internet advocacy groups, we...