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Anchor: Antonia Gonzales
The Biden-Harris administration on Thursday announced more than $140 million in awards to bring high-speed, affordable internet to tribal communities in New Mexico through the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program.
Vice President Kamala Harris says she has spoken with tribal leaders across the country about the need for high-speed internet.
Harris says the administration is committed to making investments in Indian Country.
“Our administration’s vision is to connect all Native communities with the internet and with the opportunity that comes along with access to affordable internet. The opportunity to live healthier, happier and more prosperous lives, and we will continue to fight every day to make that vision a reality.”
The Pueblo of Isleta was awarded $26 million in funding.
Isleta Governor Vernon Abeita says the pandemic heightened the need for the internet as schools, health care, and jobs went online. He says internet service is expensive for community members, and although the Pueblo is about a 15 minute drive from Albuquerque, service is unreliable.
“Through all of this infrastructure money we are getting we will be able to provide these types of services to our communities for education, health care and economic development and the ability to have some programs work from home, small businesses work from home using the broadband that we can provide for our communities.”
According to the administration, additional awards will be announced this month for tribes across the country, including in Alaska, Nebraska, South Dakota, Arizona, and California.
Bootcamps are bringing people together to learn about tribal broadband. This week, one was held at the University of Oregon in Eugene. KLCC’s Brian Bull reports.
At the Ford Alumni Center, about 50 people watch presentations on network development, funding, and cable crimping and splicing.
Matthew Ballard is with the Shinnecock Indian Nation, based in Long Island, NY. He says historically, Native people have been left behind in technological initiatives, hampering tasks.
“Basic things like paying bills, interacting with our governments, being able to start new businesses, and reach our customers. So it is important for tribes to be here to keep on the leading edge of technology and make sure we’re not falling further and further behind.”
Matthew Rantanen is a Cree tribal member and boot camp organizer.
“Our biggest goal is to bring people together because they become a human network, right? We’re talking about broadband networking but we have now a human network of people that they can rely upon for resources, troubleshooting and things, and they know they’re not doing this alone.”
The pandemic has especially driven tribes’ needs for broadband.
Last week, the Nez Perce Tribe, the Spokane Tribe, the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, and conservation groups made an agreement with the Biden administration to continue a pause in litigation over dams on the Snake and Columbia rivers.
Aaron Bolton has more.
The groups had previously agreed to pause the litigation over restoring salmon and other native fish species to the two rivers.
The Biden Administration last week announced a commitment to collaborate with Pacific Northwest tribes to restore salmon and native fish populations while also delivering hydropower to the region.
According to a release by EarthJustice, the agreement will pause the lawsuit for another year, but any of the parties involved in the litigation can make a motion to resume legal action.
Tribes and conservation groups say they will do so if the Biden Administration doesn’t take action in a timely manner.
California Native Americans will share their culture with lawmakers and the public at the State Capitol in Sacramento on Monday.
The Third Annual California Indian Cultural Awareness event at Capitol Park is sponsored by Native American State Rep. James Ramos (D-CA).
Native cultures from around the state will be celebrated.
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