The First Mile

Supported by the SSHRC-funded First Nations Innovation Project

June 14, 2011 - Press Release announcing Provincial Government of Ontario funding for infrastructure development - including for broadband in First Nations communities - in Northern Ontario. [ NationTalk.ca ]

August 3, 2011 - Article about Ontario's Telemedicine Network (OTN) expansion of its videoconferencing network and creation of a tele-home health network.

According to the article, "working with video conference technology provider Vidyo, OTN expects to roll out the new network to thousands more patients and providers throughout the province over the next three years." [Mediacaster Magazine]

August 17, 2011 - According to a Press Release, the Province of Ontario and Cisco signed an memorandum of understanding to drive IT innovation, economic development and R&D.

One of the strategic objectives highlighted in the Press Release is to "advance the state of telemedicine and help improve access to health and wellness services for remote, rural and First Nations communities".

Read the full Press Release here. [ www.nationtalk.ca ]

September 30, 2011 - Fort Severn featured during telecommunications conference - Fort Severn was featured in September 22nd's International Telecommunications Policy Research Conference, which took place in Washington, DC. A paper discussing Fort Severn's satellite connectivity model was presented at the conference. [ www.wawataynews.ca ]

October 06, 2011 - Norther Voices Heard - When a 'technical anomaly' threatened to disrupt reporting of Northern Ontario poll results, the First Nation-owned and managed NICSN satellite network stepped in to fill the gaps. The NICSN satellite ensured communications among the 11 affected Northern First Nations communities went unharmed. [ www.metronews.ca ]

Mar 13, 2012

The Chiefs of Ontario Website posted an update on their broadband connectivity needs assessment. The assessment is being conducted by the First Nations Broadband Connectivity Working Group (FNBCWG). The posted email notes:

The FNBCWG is comprised of First Nation leaders and IT experts who have been tasked with coordinating a broadband connectivity needs assessment for all First Nations in Ontario. As such, Tim Lalonde, the project’s data analyst, has been contracted to conduct this survey and he will be contacting you if he hasn’t already done so with more project details including how your community can participate. At that time, we would also like to begin organizing meetings with the technical expert(s) in your community to plan the next steps of this process.

Read the full note here.