Broadband Funding for Tribes: Current Landscape

Andrew Metcalfe, Founder and CEO of Native Network, talked with TribalHub about the current landscape of broadband funding and why it's important to act NOW.  
Learn more about Native Network at https://nativenetwork.com/

Natives Helping Natives - Cayuse Native Solutions

"Natives helping Natives" is the theme that the mighty team at Cayuse Natives Solutions stands behind.  And it fits.  The team is passionate about helping tribes invest in communications tools, public safety and other essential functions so they can handle emergencies, communicate effectively and improve the well being of their people and communities.  
In this episode, host Michelle Bouschor talks with team to learn more about their passions, their services, and how a recent grant received by the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) will now allow the team to deliver digital inclusion services to the Umatilla Indian Reservation community, help with accessing affordable high-speed internet, obtaining free technology devices, and improving digital skills.

U.S. tribal broadband infrastructure: A conversation wtih Mescalero Apache Telecom, Mohawk Network, CHR Solutions & Calix

Everywhere you look, there are new funding programs popping up for tribal governments to take advantage of (NTIA Tribal Connectivity, American Rescue Plan, USDA and US Infrastructure Plan) all promising billions of funding dollars to be spent over the next several years. 
During a webinar TribalWise hosted a few weeks ago, a panel of experts held an informative and helpful discussion with the goal of helping tribes to prepare for what is to come as well as share insights into ways these funds can be used.
Presenters:
Allyson Mitchell, General Manager at Mohawk NetworksGodfrey Enjady, General Manager at Mescalero Apache Telecom and President of National Tribal Telecommunications AssociationBarak Harlan, Director of Engineering, CHR SolutionsGreg Bathrick, Solutions Marketing Director, Calix
This was one of our most highly attended webinars and is such an important topic that we thought it would be beneficial to share the conversation out via our podcast network.  

A 21st Century Road: Blazing Broadband Trails for Tribes with MuralNet

Access to broadband and wireless internet services has kept us together during the Covid pandemic.  From holiday zooms to online schooling; from telehealth calls to work from home office meetings, it’s the connection we needed during this crazy time.  Unfortunately, not everyone has had access to this type of connection.  In Tribal communities, only 65% of the total population has access to broadband.  And half of tribal rural households don’t have access to a fixed wireless internet provided, which is over twice the rate of non-tribal households. (www.muralnet.org).  So, how do we change this?  What can we do to help?  How do tribes battle this divide that seems to be getting bigger, not smaller?  Well, the answer isn’t easy.  But it’s out there, as you’ll hear in this conversation with Mariel Tiggs & Crystal Hottowe.  Mariel & Crystal work with the non-profit group, MuralNet.  Together, they help tribal nations bring internet access to tribal lands by helping tribes find grant opportunities, map out the FCC’s  Rural Tribal Priority Window that gives tribes the chance to apply for and receive spectrum licenses at no cost, find regional partners and so much more. Help is out there, and we hope this conversation will give you information that can be useful in your tribe's journey down this 21st Century Road.
Connect with us by searching “TribalHub” on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter.  If you have a topic for the show, email Michelle at michelleb@tribalhub.com.
Show notes:
MuralNet website:  www.muralnet.org
Reference articles:  https://cronkitenews.azpbs.org/2020/10/29/fcc-grants-no-cost-broadband-spectrum-licenses-to-11-arizona-tribes/