MuralNet Helps to Close the Digital Divide on Tribal Land by Assisting with FCC Spectrum License Application Process

All of us here at TribalHub hope this podcast finds you and your family safe and well.  In the midst of this global pandemic, I hope that this show brings some "normalcy" to your day.
In this episode we are going to cover the digital divide that we see in Indian Country and what the non profit group MuralNet is doing to help tribes across the country bridge that divide. Wireless high speed internet is now almost a necessity for daily living - and we see that today more than ever.  With every state under a "social distancing" order, we are looking to technology to keep us connected.  From telemedicine, to weather announcements, to news updates and social interaction, we have to have access to a network.  Many in Indian Country, however, are not this lucky.  One of the documented major obstacles to accessing wireless high speed internet on rural tribal reservations is the lack of infrastructure and funding to build it.
And this is where MuralNet comes in.  Cat Blake & Crystal Hottowe work with the MuralNet to help tribes build their own networks; with the hopes to bring the number of homes with access to wireless high speed internet on tribal reservations up to national levels. MuralNet provides various services to tribes including assistance with spectrum acquisition & analysis, high-level engineering plans, help with grant applications & waivers, and more specific to applying for a spectrum licence over tribal land.
Recently, the FCC opened a 2.5 GHz Rural Tribal Window, which is a unique application process/opportunity that tribes in rural areas currently have that could allow tribes to get direct access to unassigned spectrum. If Tribal entities don’t apply for the free licenses for these airwaves, they will be auctioned off to the highest bidder. The window to apply ends August 3rd. This opportunity is one of the things MuralNet is working hard to encourage tribes across the nation to apply for.  To date, the group has helped 7 tribes secure spectrum, and are helping more and more each day.
Listen in as Cat & Crystal discuss MuralNet, the Tribal Window opportunity, and a grant available for tribes to apply for called ReConnect.  
If you have a topic for our show, or would have a story to share, please contact us at michelleb@tribalhub.com
Don’t forget to subscribe/follow our show wherever you listen to podcasts to never miss an episode. Connect with all of us here by searching “TribalHub” on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter or visit our web page at tribalhub.com.
Mentioned Websites:
MuralNet webpage:  www.muralnet.org 
Info page on the 2.5 GHz tribal priority window: https://muralnet.org/tribalprioritywindow/
Blog documenting the ReConnect process: https://muralnet.org/funding/
Reference articles:
https://www.minneapolisfed.org/article/2019/the-digital-divide-in-indian-country
https://www.npr.org/2018/12/06/673364305/native-americans-on-tribal-land-are-the-least-connected-to-high-speed-internet
https://www.wiley.law/alert-FCC-to-Auction-Unassigned-25-GHz-Spectrum-for-Commercial-Use
 
 

Sneak Peek: MuralNet Helps Tribes Apply for 2.5 GHz Spectrum Opportunity

All of us here at TribalHub hope this podcast finds you and your family well and safe during this unprecedented health crisis we are all experiencing. Sharing information on resources and programs that are showing meaningful benefits to tribes and tribal casinos is one way that we here at TribalHub are striving to be a positive resource to the entire tribal community right now. We will get through this time. Until then, we hope that listening to our podcast will bring some sense of normalcy to your routine.
In this episode, we are giving you a sneak peek into a discussion Michelle Bouschor, TribalHub's Resource and Connection Specialist, had with Cat Blake & Crystal Hottowe who work with the non-profit group MuralNet. MuralNet is a volunteer organization funded through private donations, corporate sponsorships and in-kind support with the goal of helping tribes secure federal grants to own and support a 2.5 GHz band spectrum network from the FCC on tribal lands.
The full episode of my conversation with Cat & Crystal will be released on Thursday April 9. Be sure to subscribe to our show wherever you listen to podcasts, and follow TribalHub on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
If you or your tribe is looking for services or programs that may be of use as we work through this time of shutdowns and uncertainty, please visit our website, our social pages, or email michelleb@tribalhub.com.
Stay safe & be well.

Chickasaw Nation Radio Station Uses Multiple Networking Technologies to Help Community Stay in Touch

Brian Brashier, Director of Broadcast Productions, for the Chickasaw Nation in Ada Oklahoma talks with host Michelle Bouschor about what it’s like to run multiple community radio stations in Southwest Oklahoma. One of the most unique aspects of the station setup is their use of multiple networking technologies to connect the stations to transmitters instead of using the traditional radio frequency link. From community news, to important weather related updates and warnings, to a diversified array of music, Chickasaw’s radio stations are making an impact in their community.  
You can learn more about Chickasaw Nation and their radio stations by visiting www.chickasaw.net. If you are interested in learning more about Chickasaw’s radio stations or are interested in starting one for your tribe, contact Brian via email at Brian.Brashier@chickasaw.net. To learn more about Native Public Media, visit their website.  
Don’t forget to subscribe to our show wherever you listen to podcasts to never miss an episode. Connect with all of us here by searching “TribalHub” on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter or visit our web page.

Soboba Band: Converting Systems, Bringing Broadband to Tribal Reservations, Building Tribal Council Relationships & More With Steve Nino

Steve Nino, IT Director for the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians, and his team had an amazing year in 2019. They received multiple industry awards (Including the TribalNet Industry Award!), converted their core gaming AND POS systems, and brought broadband to their reservation. Listen in while host Michelle Bouschor talks with Steve about this and how he has built an incredible relationship with their tribal council, allowing the IT department to be involved in many of the tribe and organizational decisions.
You can visit the Soboba Band website at soboba-nsn.gov and the casino & resort at soboba.com. If you have a topic for our podcast, or have a story to share, email michelleb@tribalhub.com. 
Don’t forget to subscribe to our show wherever you listen to podcasts AND be sure to connect with us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube and at TribalHub.com.

Sneak Peek: Talking with CIO, Steve Nino about the Soboba Casino & Resort

In this episode, we give you a quick listen into the conversation host Michelle Bouschor had with Steve Nino, CIO for the Soboba Band of Luiseno Indians and the Soboba Casino & Resort. Steve and his team had an amazing year in 2019 - they received multiple industry awards (Including the TribalNet Industry Award), converted their core gaming AND POS systems, and brought broadband to their reservation. 
The full episode will be released on Thursday March 12. Be sure to subscribe to the TribalHub podcast wherever you listen, and follow TribalHub on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
 
Thanks for listening!

Sycuan Casino & Resort: Innovative Technology, Leadership, and IT Involvement During Casino Expansion

In this episode, host Michelle Bouschor talks with Patrick Tinklenberg, VP of IT for the Sycuan Casino & Resort in El Cajon, CA. Listen in as Patrick talks about how he and his team incorporated innovative tech systems into the Sycuan Casino & Resort rebuild, get his thoughts on the right amount of IT involvement during a project of this size, and his advice on switching from working as a technology executive in tribal government to tribal casino environment.
You can visit the Sycuan Casino & Resort website at www.sycuan.com. If you have a topic for our show, or would have a story to share, please contact us at michelleb@tribalhub.com AND don’t forget to subscribe/follow our podcast to never miss an episode. Connect with all of us here at TribalHub by searching “TribalHub” on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter or visit our web page at tribalhub.com.
We hope you enjoy listening!
 

Sneak Peek: Expansion, Leadership & More with Patrick Tinklenberg of Sycuan Casino

We're giving you a listen into to our upcoming episode with Patrick Tinklenberg, VP of IT at the Sycuan Casino & Resort!  Great discussion on the casino's expansion, new technology that was implemented, and how he kept his team motivated during such an intense time.  Be sure to subscribe to never miss an episode, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter & LinkedIn.
For more infomraiton on Sycuan Casino & Resort, visit www.sycuan.com.
 
 

Modoc Nation: Creating a website with the help of their community

Working with a small team and a limited budget means you have to get creative.  And that's exactly what the IT team at Modoc Nation (and by team we mean team of 2!) did when they were tasked with creating a new website for their tribe.  Listen as we talk with Ben Karnes, Network Administrator, and discuss his solution to creating a beautiful website by involving their small Oklahoma community.  
Visit the tribe's new website at:  https://modocnation.com/

Sneak Peek - Modoc Nation

Listen in as we give you a sneak peak into next week's episode where we talk with Ben Karnes, network administrator of the Modoc Nation, and learn of his creative ways to find a solution to a website challenge!  
 

We're Talking Spring with the TribalNet team!

In this episode of the TribalHub podcast, host Michelle Bouschor visits the TribalHub team in their Portage, MI office and talks about the history, creation, story selection of  the bi-annual TribalNet spring magazine!  What is the focus of this must-have publication?  Why should YOU be excited to get your digital copy on March 15?  Take a listen and see!