Ktunaxa Nation Network

On March 22, representatives from the Ktunaxa Nation, Industry Canada, First Nations Technology Council, Columbia Basin Trust, Network BC, Kootenay Rockies Innovation Council, Fibre Net Services, Telus, local government, British Columbia Community Connectivity Coop (BC3), and CMON were on hand to make the last network connection marking the official launch of the Ktunaxa Nation Network and broadband access for rural East Kootenay residents. The Ktunaxa Nation Council owned Nation Network is one of the first open networks of its kind in Canada, and was first envisioned in 2001 as a tool for Nation Members to preserve the critically endangered Ktunaxa language through the use of high-speed video conferencing and online training.

A few of the Traditional Knowledge & Language projects that are to be available and benefit all Nation members include:

	Ktunaxa: I Remember
	A web portal where members can share and comment on stories within the Ktunaxa Nation. A record of past memories, as well as new ones; which includes such things as traditional teachings. These consist of audio & video files as well, that would not be viewable via dial-up.
	First Voices: www.firstvoices.ca
	An online resource to be able to hear the Ktunaxa language, spoken by our current elders. In order to learn a language, you need to be able to hear it. Now with broadband all Nation members will be able to utilize the 5 years of audio archiving of the endangered Ktunaxa Language.
	Ktunaxa Language Distribution
	Currently developing a language curriculum with the College of the Rockies, this be available online, which will be available to all Nation members regardless of location.
	Ktunaxa Community Learning Centres (KCLC)
	A physical space for community members to access high-speed internet for education (ex online language class), health, research, and technical assistance.
	And many more to come!

The $7.7 million network has been constructed along with partners such as the Regional District of East Kootenay (RDEK) and $3.8 million dollars in funding from Industry Canada’s Broadband for Rural and Northern Development Pilot Program. This network consists of a series of towers to provide wireless service and fibre to the user (FTTU) in an area of 17,871 square kilometres in East Kootenay. This also opens the door for many opportunities beyond language training, as there are economic, educational, and healthcare options that either never existed, or were much more difficult to access before. These benefits also extend to many of the neighbouring non-first nation communities who will be able to access the Nation Network and have download speeds up to one-hundred times faster than dial-up.

The Ktunaxa Nation would like to give a big thanks to our major funder, Industry Canada!  Without their support, this project would not of been possible.  Thank you to everyone who has helped make this possible.

Communities within the Ktunaxa Nation Network which can receive service:

	St. Mary’s Indian Band
	Akisqnuk First Nation
	Lower Kootenay Indian Band
	Tobacco Plains Indian Band
	Cokato/Fernie Rural
	Invermere Rural/Athalmer
	Columbia Lake
	Dutch Creek Rural
	Columbia Ridge
	Juniper Heights
	Toby Benches
	Lakeview Meadows
	Westside Road
	Dry Gulch
	Edgewater
	Wilmer
	Timber Ridge
	Panorama
	Rushmere
	Ruault
	Brownsville
	Colemere Park Rural
	Spur Valley/Luxor
	Brisco
	Spillimacheen
	Golden Rural
	Nicolson
	Windermere Rural
	Fairmont Rural
	Kimberley Rural
	Cranbrook Rural
	Wasa

Internet Service Providers:

Cyberlink Systems Corporation

111 Kootenay St N
Cranbrook, BC
Canada V1C 3T5

Ph: 250.426.5175
Fax: 250.489.5236
Toll Free: 1.800.381.8866
Email:info@cyberlink.ca

Website: www.cyberlink.ca

Nation Network