First Nations aim for technology upgrade

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Many First Nation administrations face a technology gap that impedes full participation in the knowledge economy. Aboriginal organizations on Manitoulin Island are working to alleviate geographical isolation by gaining access to the information highway.

CH'Net, the First Nations Knowledge Network, will help Native organizations to harness the power of telecommunications, according to technology consultant Steven Radulovich. For the past two years he has been co-ordinating the project, which will see at least ten organizations in six communities brought into the network.

Working from the Kenjgewin Teg Educational Institute in M'Chigeeng, Radulovich lobbies Manitoulin First Nations and municipal governments to co-operate on the venture. "We need to take the project beyond just infrastructure," he told a recent meeting of economic development officers. "No one single organization can afford the engineers and full time staff it will take to run a network. If we can make the network viable here, it will serve as a model for others to follow."

A needs assessment study funded by FedNor confirmed that First Nations in the area need a centralized procurement plan, a work station renewal strategy and staff training in computer applications.

One of the most pressing needs is to accommodate telehealth and telemedicine programs available for First Nations health centres.

As envisioned, CH'Net will make the information flow between community agencies and government more efficient. Along with reduced travel and meeting costs, the system would result in savings through co-ordinated purchasing.

The deploying of a broadband based, wide area network would assist development of e-commerce as well.

Mariette McGregor-Sutherland, director of Noojmowin Teg Health Centre, expressed enthusiasm for the project.

"For health organizations, it is important to have high speed access since we down-load many types of information in our daily work," she said. "We need to have the same access to the same information that practitioners everywhere else have."

She pointed out that health centre staff frequently consult with specialists in urban centres and conduct research in on-line journals. The fast broad band internet connection is crucial. CH'Net would ease communications with funding bodies and regulatory agencies, according to McGregor-Sutherland.

"With the old dial-up system it takes exceedingly long to download messages," she said. "The key is to lay the groundwork now for the new system. We need to have the same access that mainstream Canadians expect and we need to establish the type of network which is simply the norm elsewhere."

Hazel Recollet, administrator for the United Chiefs and Councils of Manitoulin, believes the network will improve communication among educational, health, social services, police services, economic development agencies and cultural organizations in the district.

"The current system is time consuming and ties up the phone lines," she said. "With a wide area high speed hook-up, band members could have better access to information and First Nations would have access to highly trained operators to assist with maintenance."

Radulovich is optimistic that both First Nations and municipalities on Manitoulin will reap the benefits of broadband fibre optic connection in the near future. "We need a cohesive approach to this; the possibilities for co-operation are there," he said. "The island is a great place for a model like this because it has distinct boundaries for creation of a network."

Other plans in the works include a multi-media centre for the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation in M'Chigeeng and an e-commerce site to assist marketing of Anishinabek art works.

A committee composed of both First Nations and municipal representatives has been formed to keep Manitoulin community leaders informed about the progress of the CH'Net proposal.