Indigenous Connectivity Summit to Address Need for Affordable and Sustainable Internet Access Thumbnail
Community Networks 24 September 2018

Indigenous Connectivity Summit to Address Need for Affordable and Sustainable Internet Access

[Inuvik, Northwest Territories – 24 September, 2018] – More than two years after the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) declared broadband Internet a basic right for Canadians, many Indigenous communities still can’t access the regulator’s minimum service requirements.

The Internet Society (ISOC), a global non-profit organization dedicated to the open development, evolution and use of the Internet, wants to help rural and remote northern communities find solutions for affordable, high-quality and sustainable Internet access at the 2018 Indigenous Connectivity Summit in Inuvik, NT, from Oct. 11 to 12, 2018.

Presented by the Internet Society, University of Alberta, First Mile Connectivity Consortium, the Town of Inuvik, and Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, the event will host about 140 Indigenous Community Network operators, Internet Service Providers, policy-makers and Indigenous leadership in a series of panels, presentations and workshops focused on connecting the last 1,000 miles.

The event will highlight unique northern connectivity challenges and opportunities by showcasing success stories of Community Networks around the globe. Community Networks are communications infrastructure built, managed and used by local communities. They provide a sustainable solution to address the connectivity gaps that exist in underserved urban, remote, and rural areas around the world.

“Learning and communication amongst today’s generation is very different than those of our Elders,” said Duane Ningaqsiq Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Inuvialuit Regional Corporation.  “We want to take advantage of new technologies and high-speed Internet bandwidth, not only for the preservation of our cultural identify and values, but to enable Inuvialuit and other Indigenous communities to become equal and meaningful participants in the Northern and national economy and society,” added Ningaqsiq Smith.

The Internet Society believes supporting Internet connectivity is a critical step on the path towards reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit and Métis in Canada. It works with rural and remote communities around the world to help them acquire the skills to build their own community networks and encourages all Canadians to foster an environment that supports Indigenous connectivity solutions.

“Ensuring First Nations, Inuit and Métis can access high quality, sustainable Internet empowers Indigenous communities to have a say when it comes to decisions and policies that shape their future,” said Mark Buell, North America Regional Bureau Director for the Internet Society.

The Indigenous Connectivity Summit is sponsored by Canadian Internet Registration Authority, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, CANARIE, Cybera, Telesat, and Iristel.

For information on 2018 Indigenous Connectivity Summit speakers and registration, please visit www.internetsociety.org/events/indigenous-connectivity-summit/.

A report on the 2017 Indigenous Connectivity Summit Community Report is available at:  https://www.internetsociety.org/resources/doc/2018/indigenous-connectivity-summit-community-report/

About the Internet Society

Founded by Internet pioneers, the Internet Society (ISOC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring the open development, evolution, and use of the Internet. Working through a global community of chapters and members, the Internet Society collaborates with a broad range of groups to promote the technologies that keep the Internet safe and secure, and advocates for policies that enable universal access. The Internet Society is also the organizational home of the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF).

Media Contact:
Allesandra de Santillana
Media Relations
Internet Society
[email protected]


Read more of our coverage of the Indigenous Connectivity Summit 2018.

Related News

Growing the Internet 9 June 2022

The Internet Society Pledges to Expand Internet Access in Africa

We are calling for accelerated action to further Internet development throughout the African region.

Growing the Internet 17 May 2022

Internet Society Joins Partner2Connect Coalition to Expand Internet Access Globally

In joining the coalition, we are making pledges to support 100 complementary solutions to connect the unconnected, and to...

Growing the Internet 18 November 2021

Indigenous Connectivity Summit Urges Stronger Government Support for Digital Equity, Identifies Critical Solutions to Expand Access

2021 recommendations call for bold and rapid action to ensure fast, affordable, and sustainable Internet for Indigenous communities across...