Conference Highlights: Presentations by Geoff Blackwell, Chief, FCC Office of Native American Affairs and Policy, USDA and Washington Onenet representatives.
Agenda:
October 15, 2014
8:00 Registration
8:30 Introduction & Welcome
8:45 Success Stories: Tribes that built their own communications infrastructure tell their stories of how tribal economy, public safety, education and health systems improved.
10:30 Communication Challenges facing Indian Country: Learn about the challenges facing Indian Country such as limitations on ability to educate tribal students, job creation, economic development, and health care.
11:45 Lunch – Geoff Blackwell (Chickasaw), Chief, FCC Office of Native Affairs and Policy
1:00 FirstNet/One Net presentation. Developing a First Responders Network in Indian Country.
2:00 Paths to Meeting Tribal Needs: What are the “Nuts & Bolts” of wired, wireless, and broadcast opportunities? How does my tribe or tribal organization become an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) or create a telco? Why partner with communications providers? This session will cover operating entity formation, regulatory clearances, technical and operational issues.
3:45 How to Pay for It: Finding buckets of money to help build communications infrastructure. Find out what kind of funding is available at various government agencies and private sources to support broadband in the schools and libraries, Rural Healthcare, Rural Telecom, and Tribal Mobility Funds.
5:30 Reception
October 16, 2014
8:30 Bringing Broadband to Indian Country: Learn how Tribes can build the necessary infrastructure to truly go Digital by doing it themselves or developing partnerships with carriers. Understand the “dirt” issues that might slow progress and how to navigate through them.
10:45 Collaboration into the Future: What can Indian Country do to address the lack of access to broadband?
12:00 Lunch – On Your Own
1:30 – 3:00 Wrap Up: Discussion on role of tribal sovereignty and how to address the cultural issues faced while going digital.
If you would like to attend this event, or know someone from your organization that may be interested in attending, please RSVP by October 5, 2014. Click here to rsvp.
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Lael Echo-Hawk at (206) 816-1355. Space is limited and RSVP is required.
