Book Chapters and Journal Articles
#36 (2011)

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Publication #36 2011, Digital Divides and the ‘First Mile’: Framing First Nations Broadband Development in Canada

Reference: McMahon, R.,O'Donnell, S., Smith, R., Walmark, B., Beaton, B., Simmonds, J. (2011). Digital Divides and the ‘First Mile’: Framing First Nations Broadband Development in Canada. The International Indigenous Policy Journal,2(2).

Abstract: This article was produced by the First Mile project, a collaboration led by Simon Fraser University. Across Canada, rural and remote First Nations face a significant 'digital divide'. As self-determining autonomous nations in Canada, these communities are building broadband systems to deliver public services to their members and residents. To address this challenge, First Nations are working towards a variety of innovative, locally driven broadband development initiatives. This paper contributes a theoretical discussion that frames our understanding of these initiatives by drawing on the paradigm of the 'First Mile'. We argue that broadband development policy in Canada must be re-framed to address the specific needs of First Nations. The First Mile position foregrounds community-based involvement, control, and ownership: a consideration we suggest has particular resonance for First Nations. This is because it holds potential to move beyond the historical context of paternalistic, colonial-derived development policies, in the context of broadband systems development. We argue First Nations broadband projects offer on-the-ground examples of a First Mile approach, and call for more research in this area.