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Anchor: Antonia Gonzales
The Colville Confederated Tribes are getting some much-needed funding to help expand broadband services on the reservation.
Steve Jackson reports.
Colville Tribal Business Chairman Jarred-Michael Erickson says Internet access on the Colville reservation is spotty at best. He says less than half of the reservation has any access at all.
Erickson says that was a big obstacle to students during the height of the Covid pandemic, when students had to attend classes remotely from home.
“You know, we helped by hotspots with the school district for our kids. But a lot just wouldn’t work where they lived, so they’d have to go find a wireless signal. Or they couldn’t get a signal on their phone.”
The federal government is stepping in with a big infusion of money, $48 million from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, to establish and improve Internet access.
Erickson says the money will be used for both fiber and wireless systems to the Omak, Nespelem, Keller, and Inchelium districts. He hopes service can reach many people who are in underserved rural locations on the 1.4 million acre reservation.
The tribes have already established their own internet provider service, Bigfoot Communications.
The construction of the new broadband infrastructure will begin as soon as the grant money comes in, which is expected soon.
The All Pueblo Council of Governors in New Mexico hosted a forum in Albuquerque on Friday for candidates vying for congressional and state seats.
All Pueblo Council of Governors Chairman Mark Mitchell says the candidates need to know tribes have the oldest existing governments in the state.
And he says tribes need to be recognized and treated as sovereign nations having government-to-government relationships.
“It’s critical now that the folks that are running understand that this is happening and that we’ve been here and it is time we hold such an event. And it’s historic. We are right in between getting ready for voting and we are right there. So, hopefully our Native people, our Indigenous people come out to vote.”
Five candidates for congressional districts, including all three of New Mexico’s current U.S. House of Representatives, attended the event.
Only one challenger was not there having a representative speak on his behalf.
Candidates running for state attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer, and public lands commissioner came to the forum.
Both candidates for the top state race – governor of New Mexico – were invited.
Current Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D-NM) did not attend, but had Lt. Gov. Howie Morales (D-NM) speak on behalf of their administration and bid for reelection.
Republican challenger Mark Ronchetti came to an early meet-and-greet with Pueblo leadership, but left and did not stay for the forum.
Each candidate was given five minutes to address Pueblo leaders and time to answer any questions posed to them by the council.
Among issues discussed were water rights, missing and murdered Indigenous women, child welfare, public safety, sacred site protection, and Native language and culture in public education.
“The issue of course at core is funding and then secondly the health care, mental health, senior care- elders, and education is a critical component. A little bit of everything we’re trying to have the candidates understand our issues. We hope to build on that as we move forward into the new year,” said Chairman Mitchell.
The council represents the 19 Pueblos in New Mexico and one in Texas.
A number of Pueblo leaders were in attendance at the forum, which was also streamed on YouTube.
Watch the forum:
Watch Antonia Gonzales’ interview with Republican NM gubernatorial candidate Mark Ronchetti
Editor’s note: Current Democratic New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham was not in attendance at the event. A spokesperson did not get a comment back to National Native News by deadline for this story. Lt. Gov. Howie Morales (who attended the forum) recommitted to working with tribes if they’re reelected.
In Minnesota, the Red Lake Nation and its political education committee are hosting a candidate fair October 25.
Candidates for local and state offices, and a congressional district have been invited.
Organizers hope to draw both Native and non-Native community members to the event.
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