Project Overview

1
Project Overview

• Mikmaq Nova Scotia First Net
• Brian K. Smith
• Community Development Consultant

mns-firstnet.ca
2
First Net -- Driving Force
Mikmaq Nova Scotia First Net Committee Members
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Background First Net

• Evolved from a previous Industry Canada Building
  Smart Communities initiative
• Proposal and scope of work were prepared by NS
  EDOs and supported by the Tripartite Forum EcDev
  Committee

4
Project Goals Year One

• Measure the level of Connectivity and Public
  Access within First Nation communities
• To develop an approach to the use of IT
• Conduct community surveys
• Create a Web Portal
• One use of the technology to provide benefits to
  all communities

5
Project Goals
Where we stand

• Surveys are completed and will need to be updated
  periodically
• Web Portal (mns-firstnet.ca)
• Input from Communities always needed
• Back-end functionality being added
• Feedback forms, discussion boards, newsletters,
  search engine, etc.

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High Speed vs. Dial-up
Does the Band Office have Internet Access?  
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CAP ABSN in the Community
Does the Band Office have Internet Access?  
ABSN
ABSN
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Household Internet Connections
Does the Band Office have Internet Access?  
ABSN
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Complementary Analysis

• Aboriginal Canada Portal
• Many links
• Excellent site to build off
• Needs more community content
• Bills Aboriginal Links
• Many many many links
• no organization or structure
• http//www.mikmaq.net
• Some good links
• No direct input from communities
• Not updated

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First Net Analysis

• Created, managed and controlled by the Mikmaq
  communities of NS
• Build off of links provided
• Communities decide what links are important and
  what information needs to be reached
• Valuable Citizen and Community engagement tool

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First Net Analysis
-- the Site

• mns-firstnet.ca

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First Net Analysis
Currently

• Web Development
• To add functionality to the site
• Enable community input and feedback
• Visit communities
• Partner with First Nations Help Desk
• MOU with Aboriginal Canada Portal

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First Net Analysis
the Future

• First Net can be whatever the Communities want it
  to be
• one-stop source of information
• Community development
• E-learning
• E-commerce
• E-health

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First Net Analysis
the Future

• Community volunteers
• Regional ICT Committees
• ICT Engagement Workshops
• Community, Provincial, Atlantic ICT Strategies

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Things to think about

• Network of community ICT technicians
• Band Funding to include basic infrastructure
  funds for IT related positions (network
  specialist, broadband support, ISP, etc.)
• Broadband Initiatives specific for Aboriginal
  Communities
• Introductory IT training
• Public Access in all Communities

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Questions / Answers

• Mikmaq Nova Scotia First Net
• Brian K. Smith
• Community Development Consultant
• Project Manager

mns-firstnet.ca