Topic: Today’s News

The Nunatsiavut Government is advising Beneficiaries of the Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement that there are no active or confirmed cases of the coronavirus COVID-19 in any Labrador Inuit community. 

Information released today from the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador indicates one confirmed case of COVID-19 in the region. The individual was outside of the Labrador Inuit Settlement Area when diagnosed, and has fully recovered. At no time was the individual in any Labrador Inuit community from the time of diagnosis until recovery. 

Nunatsiavut President Johannes Lampe says he was disappointed to learn of the case through the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s COVID-19 website. 

“This is unacceptable,” says President Lampe. “This shows a blatant lack of respect to Labrador Inuit and the Nunatsiavut Government.” 

The Nunatsiavut Government is requesting a meeting with Premier Dwight Ball to discuss the matter. 

Due to rules around confidentiality, details that may identify the individual will not be released. 

Selections represent Indigenous Stream’s inaugural Development funding decisions

Montréal/Toronto – The inaugural round of projects set to receive Development funding from Telefilm Canada’s Indigenous Stream have been selected. The lineup represents an array of established and emerging voices from Indigenous talent across six provinces. Films selected include both English and French-language projects, as well as several works from Talent to Watch alumni. 

“The projects selected for the inaugural round of Development funding in the Indigenous stream demonstrates the breadth of Indigenous talent that can be found throughout the country,” said Christa Dickenson, Executive Director, Telefilm Canada. “We’re pleased to be supporting these creators as they take the next steps in bringing their stories to the screen and continue Telefilm’s commitment in supporting Indigenous filmmakers.” 

As part of its 2020 objective, Telefilm Canada earmarks $4 million a year, across all its programs, to fund projects by filmmakers from Indigenous communities nationwide. The projects are assessed by an external all-Indigenous jury. 

“The jury is proud to recommend these development projects, which come from Indigenous creators at all career levels, from across the country. Just in time for spring, when our minds turn toward new beginnings, this collection of stories brings with it an abundance of bold ideas and dynamic voices,” the jury remarked. “We were inspired by the way these writers use humour, drama, and intelligence to wrestle with our collective past, present, and future.” 

Selected Projects: 

Disappearing Moon Writer: Michael Auger Producer: Petie Chalifoux Language: English Province: British Columbia 

Dumbbell Writer/producer: Shane Belcourt Producer: Michelle St. John Language: English Province: Ontario 

Elvis of the North Writer/producer: Kelton Stepanowich Language: English Province: Alberta 

Evil Fire Writer: Thirza Cuthand Producer: Sera-Lys McArthur Language: English Province: Ontario 

Highway 45 Writer/producer: Ervin Chartrand Language: English Province: Manitoba 

Noopiming Writer/producer: Amanda Strong Language: English Province: British Columbia 

The Savage Writer/producer: Darlene Naponse Language: English Province: Ontario 

Skite’kmujua’kik Writer/producer: Bretten Hannam Language: English Province: Nova Scotia 

Sparrow/Nel Dzay Ya Writer/Producer: Marie Clements Language: English Province: British Columbia 

Sur les traces Writer/Producer: Elisapie Isaac Language: French Province: Quebec 

WWShe Writer: Sonya Ballantyne Producer: Sage Daniels Language: English Province: Manitoba 

About Telefilm Canada 

Telefilm is dedicated to the cultural, commercial and industrial success of Canada’s audiovisual industry. Through funding and promotion programs, Telefilm supports dynamic companies and creative talent at home and around the world. Telefilm also makes recommendations regarding the certification of audiovisual coproduction treaties to the Minister of Canadian Heritage, and administers the programs of the Canada Media Fund. Launched in 2012, the Talent Fund accepts private donations which principally support emerging talent. Visit telefilm.ca and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/telefilm_canada and on Facebook at facebook.com/telefilmcanada. 

Vancouver (Musqueam, Squamish and Tsleil-Waututh Territory) – The Squamish Nation, Tsleil-Waututh Nation and Coldwater Band announce they are seeking leave for appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada. These three First Nations have fought and challenged the Trans Mountain Expansion (TMX) Project through every Federal court. They now intend to seek a challenge at the Supreme Court of Canada.

While some court processes are paused due to the Covid-10 pandemic, deadlines for seeking leave to appeal at the Supreme Court of Canada remain in effect.

The three First Nations initiated their appeals of the Federal Court of Appeal’s February 4, 2020 decision—known as Coldwater et al. vs. Canada—to the Supreme Court of Canada. The First Nations are challenging the adequacy of Indigenous consultation leading up to the second approval of the oil pipeline project.

“The Supreme Court of Canada needs to deal with the Federal Court of Appeal’s decision that essentially lets the government be the judge and jury of its own consultation efforts. We need the opportunity to address the flawed consultation and engagement conducted by the Federal government, given the strength of rights and title of the Squamish People to Burrard Inlet and Vancouver. Indigenous peoples have a constitutional right to meaningful consultation and the courts must scrutinize that process. This flawed decision cannot stand, and we must challenge it, not just for us but for any future project that may be challenged by First Nations,” said Khelsilem, Squamish Nation Spokesperson and Councillor

“The issues are now bigger than just a pipeline and tanker traffic. The Coldwater case is a major setback for reconciliation and consultation in Canada because if it is left unchallenged, it would water down the consultation standard to be no more than a procedural hurdle.” said Tsleil-Waututh Chief Leah George-Wilson, also a lawyer at Miller Titerle.

The three nations have filed leave to appeal the decision which the courts must grant on the basis a case at the Supreme Court of Canada is needed if it’s in national importance. They will await permission to proceed to the Supreme Court of Canada and, if granted leave, make their case at the Supreme Court of Canada.

Dear Premier Ball, Prime Minster Trudeau and Minister Miller:

We as the elected leaders of the Innu of Labrador are writing to you to make an urgent request. Our request is that your governments use your legislative and regulatory powers and ability to make orders to make the following closures. These closures would of course need to be subject to the use by essential workers of airports, the highway and ferry services for medical and other emergencies, or for delivery or receipt of essential goods and services including but not limited to food, fuel and medical prescriptions. 

(1) close down all commercial airports in Labrador including closure for intra- 

provincial flights (e.g. between St. John’s and Happy Valley Goose Bay, between Labrador City and Happy Valley Goose Bay, etc.), (2) prohibit travel across the border of Quebec into Labrador along the Trans- 

Labrador Highway, and (3) close the ferry services into Labrador. 

The Councils of the two Innu communities in Labrador, which together have a population of about 3,000 people, based on our most recent counts, have been taking many precautions and steps to try and prevent the spread of COVID-19 into our communities. We shared some of that information on a call with Minister Marc Miller on April 2nd, and do appreciate the financial assistance from Indigenous Services Canada thus far to begin to take steps to try to prevent it from coming into our communities and to prepare for what might happen if it did. 

We have been working hard to seek to have our own members following the public health advice being provided by Canada and the Province and our own public health officials in our communities. So far, we are not aware of any cases in our communities. So far, we understand, though it has not been officially confirmed, that there are a relatively small number (3) confirmed cases in Labrador and that at least some of those cases are in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, the community where we receive many of our goods and services from. 

However, the measures we are able to take as First Nation leaders to try to protect our very vulnerable communities from COVID-19 are limited. We have no way to limit travel into airports (other than the one in Natuashish), or into the province along highways or on the ferries. The province and Canada are both aware of the fact that we have many elders and many members with diabetes and on dialysis and suffering from other problems including addictions. Many of us live in overcrowded housing, with many children and youth who will inevitably come into contact with our elders as we live in houses where, frequently, multiple generations live together under one roof. Self- isolation is virtually impossible for most of us. We have limited medical staff in our communities, and so we are very afraid of the onslaught of the COVID-19 disease if it were to come into our communities. 

We are all painfully aware of the rising numbers of confirmed infections in Newfoundland, with a cluster of cases arising from two funerals in St. John’s. We also have been watching the ever-rising numbers in the province of Quebec and were especially concerned to learn on April 2nd that two Innu communities in eastern Quebec, Nutashkuan and Uashat, also now have confirmed cases. The curves are not flattening in Newfoundland and Labrador or in Quebec. Social distancing and handwashing and other public health measures are of course not able to completely prevent the spread. That is why we are proposing these steps while they are still available. We desperately want to keep the numbers where they are in Labrador and to lock out the disease from our communities and other communities in Labrador. 

We fully appreciate that the Nunatsiavut Government, other communities in Labrador and NunatuKavut Community Council will have important views on this, and we fully appreciate the need for the Province and Canada to consult with them as well about this. We would welcome the opportunity to confer with the leaders of these governments and groups, as well as with your officials, about this request, for the good of all of Labrador. 

Nin, 

Grand Chief Gregory Rich Deputy Grand Chief Etienne Rich 

Chief Eugene Hart Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation ^{Chief John Nui} 

Mushuau Innu First Nation 

CC: Aubrey Gover, Deputy Minister, Indigenous Affairs (NL) 

Deliah Bernard, Regional Advisor, Atlantic & Quebec, (ISC Minister’s Office) Dr. John Haggie, Minister of Health and Community Services (NL) Dr. Janice Fitzgerald, Chief Medical Officer of Health (NL) Ms. Yvonne Jones, Member of Parliament for Labrador Mr. Perry Trimper, MHA, Lake Melville Ms. Lela Evans, MHA, Torngat Mountains Ms. Lisa Dempster, MHA, Cartwright to L’Anse au Clair Mr. Jordan Brown, MHA, Labrador West President Johannes Lampe, Nunatsiavut Government President Todd Russell, NunatuKavut Community Council Mr. Chad Letto, President of the Combined Councils of Labrador Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation Band Council Mushuau Innu First Nation Band Council Innu Nation Board of Directors 

À l’heure où les autorités du gouvernement du Québec sont mobilisées devant une crise majeure, nous avons le devoir de rappeler que la vie et la santé des populations des Premières Nations au Québec sont aussi importantes que celles de tous les autres citoyens. 

« Les faits rapportés par Radio-Canada concernant les actions prises par deux établissements d’une même région avec comme conséquence un risque accru de propagation, sont pour le moins troublants et méritent l’attention immédiate du gouvernement du Québec et des autorités compétentes en santé publique » estime Ghislain Picard, Chef de l’APNQL. L’article de la Société Radio-Canada rapporte que deux membres de la Nation Innu, qui présentaient des symptômes liés à la COVID-19 n’ont pas reçu l’attention et les consignes appropriées de deux hôpitaux sur la Côte-Nord. 

« Depuis le début de la crise, nos représentations font appel à une mobilisation substantielle de la part du gouvernement du Québec, sur le principe indéniable qu’en matière de santé publique, le gouvernement provincial a l’obligation d’exercer sa responsabilité, qui inclut les membres de nos communautés » ajoute le Chef de l’APNQL Ghislain Picard. 

Dans le but de contribuer à aplatir la courbe, les dirigeants de nos nations demandent que soient arrimées leurs actions locales avec celles des réseaux de santé publique et de sécurité civile. Nous n’insisterons jamais assez sur la réalité voulant que nos populations soient beaucoup plus vulnérables devant la pandémie. Rappelons que le surpeuplement des logements, l’éloignement géographique, la langue, les facteurs de risques psychosociaux, le haut taux de maladies chroniques, l’insécurité alimentaire et le manque de ressources et de professionnels sont autant de facteurs qui augmentent la vulnérabilité de nos populations et que les décisions et actions des autorités en santé publique doivent être adaptées à cette réalité.

Par ailleurs, l’APNQL tient à saluer la décision du gouvernement du Québec de contrôler l’accès à certaines régions où se situe une majorité de nos communautés. Elle s’ajoute aux mesures déjà adoptées par certaines communautés de contrôler ou de restreindre l’accès à leurs territoires. 

Afin de limiter la propagation au sein de nos communautés, les dirigeants des Premières Nations ont demandé dès le départ que des mesures soient prises leur permettant de pouvoir tenir des tests de dépistage localement. Même si quelques communautés ont enfin pu conclure une entente à cet effet, plusieurs autres communautés demandent d’avoir la même opportunité afin de limiter les déplacements, donc réduire les risques de propagation, et diminuer l’anxiété pour nos membres de devoir se déplacer inutilement à l’extérieur de la communauté. 

« L’incertitude et l’anxiété continueront d’augmenter. Comment aplatir la courbe dans ces conditions ? Nous sommes tous égaux devant la crise, sauf que la vulnérabilité de nos populations ajoute aux défis auxquels font face nos dirigeants. La pandémie ne fait pas d’exceptions, elle ne discrimine pas, elle ne connaît pas de frontières. L’heure n’est plus de savoir quel gouvernement est responsable de quoi. L’APNQL s’attend à ce que les gouvernements prennent leurs responsabilités », a conclu le Chef de l’APNQL. À propos de l’APNQL L’Assemblée des Premières Nations Québec-Labrador est l’organisme régional politique qui regroupe 43 chefs des Premières Nations au Québec et au Labrador. Suivez l’APNQL sur Twitter @APNQL.

In a time when Quebec government authorities are mobilized to face a major crisis, it is our duty to remind that the life and health of First Nations populations in Quebec are as important as that of all other citizens. 

“The facts reported by Radio-Canada concerning the actions taken by two institutions in the same region, which resulted in an increased risk of spread, are quite disturbing and deserve the immediate attention of the Government of Quebec and the competent public health authorities,” said Ghislain Picard, Chief of the AFNQL. The Radio-Canada article reports that two members of the Innu Nation, who were presenting symptoms related to COVID-19, did not receive the appropriate attention and instructions from two hospitals on the North Shore. 

“Since the beginning of the crisis, our representations have called for substantial mobilization on the part of the Government of Quebec, on the undeniable principle that in matters of public health, the provincial government has an obligation to exercise its responsibility, which includes the members of our communities,” added AFNQL Chief Ghislain Picard. 

In order to help flatten the curve, the leaders of our Nations are asking that their local actions be aligned with those of the public health and civil security networks. We cannot stress enough the reality that our populations are much more vulnerable to the pandemic. Let us remember that overcrowded housing, geographic remoteness, language, psychosocial risk factors, high rates of chronic disease, food insecurity, and lack of resources and professionals are all factors that increase the vulnerability of our populations and that the decisions and actions of public health authorities must be adapted to this reality. 

Furthermore, the AFNQL wishes to salute the Quebec government’s decision to control access to certain regions where most of our communities are located. This is in addition to the measures already adopted by some communities to control or restrict access to their territories. 

In order to limit the spread within our communities, First Nations leaders have requested from the outset that measures be taken to allow them to hold screening tests locally. 

Although a few communities have finally been able to reach an agreement to this effect, many other communities are asking for the same opportunity to limit travel, thus reducing the risk of spread, and reducing the anxiety for our members to travel unnecessarily outside the community. 

“Uncertainty and anxiety will continue to increase. How can the curve be flattened under these conditions? We are all equal in the face of the crisis, except that the vulnerability of our populations adds to the challenges faced by our leaders. The pandemic makes no exceptions, it does not discriminate, it has no borders. It is no longer a question of which government is responsible for what. The AFNQL expects the governments to take their responsibilities “concluded the Chief of the AFNQL. 

About the AFNQL The Assembly of First Nations Quebec-Labrador is the regional political organization that brings together 43 First Nations Chiefs in Quebec and Labrador. Follow the AFNQL on Twitter @APNQL. 

In an effort to control the spread of COVID-19, the Nunatsiavut Government is continuing to ask people to self-isolate for at least 14 days before travelling from Happy Valley-Goose Bay to the Labrador Inuit Settlement Area. 

Recognizing that essential travel is still required, the following is being recommended: 

1. Health care workers 

a. Those travelling from within Newfoundland and Labrador providing services in 

Labrador Inuit communities are asked to self-monitor for 14 days (including having temperatures checked daily) upon arrival in all communities. 

b. Those travelling from outside of the province are required to self-isolate for 14 days. The 

Nunatsiavut Government is asking individuals to self-isolate in Happy Valley-Goose Bay before travelling to any Labrador Inuit community. Upon arrival in a community, they must self-monitor for an additional 14 days. 

2. Other essential workers (including technicians for essential services such as hydro or 

telecommunications, etc.) 

a. Those travelling from within Newfoundland and Labrador should self-monitor for 

symptoms for 14 days and to avoid interacting with others in the community when they arrive. 

b. Those travelling from outside of the province are required to self-isolate for 14 days. The 

Nunatsiavut Government is asking individuals to self-isolate in Happy Valley-Goose Bay before travelling to any Labrador Inuit community. Upon arrival in a community, they must self-monitor for an additional 14 days. 

3. Medical patients requiring travel from Nunatsiavut to the Labrador Health Centre in Happy 

Valley-Goose Bay for appointments 

a. Travelers returning home the same day do not need to self-isolate, provided they have no 

respiratory illnesses. 

b. Those who must stay in Happy Valley-Goose Bay for two or more days who have no 

respiratory illnesses should self-isolate during their stay in the community and practice social-distancing when attending medical appointments. Upon returning to their home community they must self-monitor for 14 days and report any symptoms to 811. 

c. Those who develop respiratory symptoms while in Happy Valley-Goose Bay attending 

appointments are asked to call 811 and follow instructions. 

4. Medical patients who are admitted and discharged from hospital 

a. Patients discharged from hospitals within the province can travel directly home to 

Nunatsiavut. Upon arrival at home they are asked to self-monitor for 14 days and report any symptoms by calling 811 and following instructions. 

b. Patients discharged from hospitals outside of the province are required to self-isolate at 

point of entry or in Happy Valley-Goose Bay for 14 days before travelling to any community. Upon arrival in the community, they must self-monitor for an additional 14 days. 

5. Medical patients (and escorts) requiring travel for appointments at facilities other than the 

Labrador Health Centre (for travel to Labrador Health Centre refer to bullet #3) 

a. Those travelling to appointments within the province who have no respiratory illnesses 

should self-isolate during their stay outside of Nunatsiavut and practice social distancing when attending medical appointments. Upon return to their home community they must self- monitor for 14 days (including having temperatures checked daily). 

b. Those travelling to appointments outside the province who have no respiratory illnesses are required to self-isolate upon at point of entry into the province or in Happy Valley- Goose Bay for 14 days before returning to Nunatsiavut. Upon arrival in community, they must self-monitor for an additional 14 days. 

c. Those who develop respiratory symptoms while attending appointments are asked to call 

811 and follow instructions. 

6. Individuals whose travel costs are covered by the Nunatsiavut Government, including students 

and staff, should self-isolate at point of entry into the province or in Happy Valley-Goose Bay for 14 days before returning home to Nunatsiavut. Accommodations and meals will be arranged by the Nunatsiavut Government for these individuals who are self-isolating. 

Self-monitor means: 

• Monitoring for symptoms (muscle aches and pains, fever, cough, difficulty breathing) for 14 days. 

• Staying at home except for essentials. 

• Avoiding crowded places. 

• Increasing personal space and maintaining social distancing. 

• Immediately self-isolating if symptoms appear. 

Self-isolate means: 

• Staying at home and not going to work or school for 14 days. 

• Avoiding close contact with people with chronic conditions, compromised immune systems and older adults. 

• Avoiding contact with others in your home. 

• Staying in a separate room away from other people. 

• Using a separate bathroom, if possible. 

• Keeping a distance of at least two arm’s length from other people. 

• Not sharing dishes, glasses, or utensils. 

• Calling 811 at the first sign of any respiratory symptoms. 

Coastal First Nations communities are asking members to take the safe and necessary actions required to prevent the spread of the highly-infectious coronavirus. Community members are being asked to stay at home, wash their hands regularly, check on their loved ones, and keep a safe distance from others.

Anita Hall, Emergency Operations Centre Liaison for the Heiltsuk Nation, says new measures to protect members are being put in place daily. Physical distancing to prevent the spread of the virus can be a challenge for small communities, says Hall, but it’s worth it. “An important part of our culture is spending time with family and friends, so it’s very hard,” she explains. “But as long as we continue to practice these measures, when and if the virus does come to our community, we’ll be very prepared.”

As coastal Nations roll out COVID-19 response measures, emergency planners in remote CFN communities face other challenges as well. Limited healthcare services, food security and the risk of contagion in close-knit, inter-generational families are just a few. With Elders being among those most at risk, the preservation of Indigenous culture is a huge concern.

“[We’ve] gone through a great loss in the last year of many Elders,” Haida Nation President Gaagwiis Jason Alsop told CBC radio last week. “To experience that kind of trauma again would be devastating to our community.” The Haida Nation declared a State of Emergency on March 23 that restricts all but essential travel to and from Haida Gwaii communities. In a Facebook video, Alsop urged members to stay at home. “Take this as an opportunity to learn and grow and pursue passions in isolation with your loved ones. Together we can save lives.”

The following provides a list of measures taken by communities throughout the North and Central Coast and Haida Gwaii. These will be updated as the situation evolves.

COVID-19 MEASURES IN CFN COMMUNITIES

Council of the Haida Nation

• A Local State of Emergency has been called by the Council of the Haida Nation, Skidegate Band Council, Old Massett Village Council, Village of Queen Charlotte, Village of Port Clements, Village of Massett, and Regional Districts D and E.
• The CHN are working on a coordinated, all-island pandemic plan with each community.
• A travel advisory asks island residents to avoid leaving Haida Gwaii and discourages non-residents from visiting.

Old Massett

• Emergency Operation Centre (EOC) has moved from level 1 to level 2 response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Level 2 indicates a moderate response to an event.
• Level 2 means they are working on plans to provide elders and immune compromised members with: grocery delivery, prescription drug delivery and meal delivery to elders and other vulnerable people.

Skidegate

• Ensuring the most vulnerable continue to receive groceries or essential medications is a top priority
• Asking family members who have no symptoms to designate a family member to check on their family and support them
• Playgrounds have been closed

Giga’at Nation

• A travel advisory cautions members against travel at this time.

Gitxaala Nation

• A State of Emergency eliminates large gatherings and meetings.
• Outside visitors are banned. Returning members are asked to self-isolate for 14 days.

Heiltsuk Nation

• All non-residents are requested to refrain from travel to the territory (except medical and essential service workers).
• The Bella Bella band store has set aside shopping hours for Elders only.
• COVID-19 infographics have been tailored to the local community for social media sharing.
• An information line will be set up to respond to the questions and concerns of members returning home.
• Heiltsuk members returning home are asked to contact the Emergency Operations Centre if you have questions or concerns. An information line number will be posted soon on the HTC website and Facebook page.
• Physcial distancing measures are in place at the band store and limits have been placed on groceries to ensure all members have ongoing access to supplies. Freight continues to arrive on a regular basis to ensure an ongoing food supply for all.
• The Spawn on Kelp (SOK) harvest has been canceled.

Kitasoo/Xai’Xais Nation

• A State of Emergency restricts all travel in and out of the community, except for essential services.
• Band store visits are limited to 12 shoppers at a time and households are asked to only send one family member to the store to shop.
• Limits are in place for the quantity of goods per family. See the Kitasoo/Xai’Xais Nation Facebook page for the full list.

Metlakatla First Nation

• The Metlakatla Band Office is closed with non-essential services staff working remotely.
• The Metlakatla Ferry Service and North Co-Corp Ferry Service have ceased regularly scheduled runs.

Nuxalk Nation

• A Highway 20 checkpoint is in place as of March 25 staffed around the clock by the Nuxalk Fire Department and Coastal Guardians.
• Travelers will be respectfully asked not to enter the territory.
• Residents returning home will be given information on Covid-19 protocols, including self-isolation for 14 days.
• Essential mail, freight, medical and other traffic is permitted.

Wuikinuxv Nation

• A travel advisory restricts non-members from the community and asks all returning members to self-isolate for 14 days.
• The Nation is working to prepare a package for each household with disinfectant and cleaning supplies.
• Orders have been submitted to Save On Foods in Port Hardy for non-perishable food items for each household in the community.

Heiltsuk member Gary Wilson has experienced firsthand the challenges presented by limited Internet service in coastal First Nations communities.

In 2012, Wilson was completing his undergraduate program online while working in Bella Bella. When assignments were due, he found himself competing for daytime bandwidth access with the rest of the community. “I had no choice but to go to the office at 3 am to upload to the university platform, when nobody was awake, and the kids weren’t gaming.”

As a more extreme example, Wilson points to Klemtu residents who felt the impact of living without Internet in December 2018. Extreme storm winds blew down a tower, paralyzing payment systems and incapacitating administrative services.

Coastal First Nations is working to bring faster and more reliable Internet service to the coast to help communities deal with these challenges. Through the $45-million government-funded Connected Coast initiative, CFN members will be among 44 coastal Nations to benefit from improved high-speed Internet service.

As CFN’s Planning & Special Projects Coordinator, Wilson is helping communities visualize their priorities for a new digital economy. Opportunities for the future, he says, are endless.

The Heiltsuk Nation plans to include urban members in online language revitalization programs. “Right now, it’s not possible to live-stream a language program effectively from Bella Bella to people in Vancouver,” Wilson explains. “Classes can be disrupted by wind or cold weather.” Activities related to stewardship and coastal economies are also bottle-necked because of the inability to manage big data loads.

Future opportunities include telehealth services, video-conferencing so Nations can reduce travel footprint, and
attracting digital jobs and business to help young people stay in communities.

There are big implications for community safety as well. “We’re always concerned about reaching people for emergencies like tsunami warnings, if they’re out of cell range,” Wilson says. “And in the case of marine emergencies, even if you have a good response plan, you still need reliable internet access for it to be effective.”

Improved service, which is slated for delivery next year, will reach remote coastal communities via a fibre-optic cable on the ocean floor – reaching from Haida Gwaii and Prince Rupert to the south coast, and around Vancouver Island.

Canada and BC will cover the cost of delivering high-speed service to community shorelines. Then it’s up to communities to decide how to plug in to bring service to individual homes.

While all CFN communities can currently handle deliver faster Internet, Wilson cautions that aging infrastructure will soon outgrow community needs. “Communities need to start planning now for their digital future,” he says. Government funding will be available to support communities’ digital visions, based on a business plan and industry partner.

CFN is also partnering with the Evergreen Smart Cities Initiative to propose a community-owned telecommunications enterprise that would supply service through a regional approach. A social enterprise model could negotiate better service and equipment rates, sell internet access to other users, and put profits back into communities.