TREATY FIVE TERRITORY, NISICHAWAYASIHK CREE NATION (NELSON HOUSE), MANITOBA – Last week, Clear Sky Connections announced the first groundbreaking, in northern Manitoba, for its new fibre network which will eventually span the province.
“Building Manitoba’s Network of the Future and the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Centre of Excellence in partnership with Broadband Communications North, Manitoba Hydro Telecom, and Crown Pipelines Ltd, Clear Sky Connections is set to begin the installation of fibre optic cable to Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation located about 75km west of Thompson in Northern Manitoba,” reads its press release. Click here for a video backgrounder.
“Today marks the beginning of economic development opportunities and is a historic moment for us as First Nations, as the mandated organization by the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) to build the high-speed network, we launch the build to the first site. The initiative is a game-changer as we build a platform for the youth – the future – to use the communication systems to form linkages with the world outside of some of the most remote isolated communities in Canada,” said Clear Sky Connections vice-chairperson chief David Crate, of Fisher River Cree Nation.
“This will lead the way for economic prosperity where we can now participate meaningfully in the global economy through telecommunications. The Manitoba Centre for Health Policy recently released findings that we long knew existed for our people and are continuing to worsen. Now we will be able to realize the benefits technology provides around increasing the standard of living and giving us equal access to health, education, business opportunities, and other socio-economic benefits,” added CSC chairperson chief David McDougall of St. Theresa Point First Nation.
With support from Manitoba First Nations, Indigenous Services Canada, the First Nations and Inuit Health Branch, the Province of Manitoba through a partnership with Manitoba Hydro Telecom, discussions and consultations are continuing for the build to connect more communities, added the release.
