SASKATOON and REGINA – Whitecap Dakota First Nation (WDFN) announced today the entire community now has access to fibre-optic broadband with the launch of SaskTel infiNET service.
This includes over 200 households, the local health centre, band office, business park and more.
This announcement follows “the conclusion of a collaborative project funded by the Government of Canada, and the Government of Saskatchewan,” a press release says. The federal government contributed $1.1 million to the project through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program and the province contributed $378,750.
WDFN, located south of Saskatoon, is the first Indigenous community in the province “to be connected to a full fibre-optic broadband network,” the press release says.
“I know the residents of Whitecap Dakota First Nation have been patiently awaiting the arrival of infiNET since our work began last year,” said Doug Burnett, SaskTel president and CEO, in the press release. “SaskTel and our entire team are thrilled that the community can now stay connected using the same leading technology that fuels growth and development in our province’s larger centres.”
“I am pleased to see this historic infrastructure investment, completed in partnership with both the Federal and Provincial governments, in our community,” said Whitecap Dakota First Nation Chief Darcy Bear. “As we have all learned with the Covid-19 pandemic, access to quality internet services is essential to our families, our schools, our businesses and future opportunities on reserve.”
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