REGINA — SaskTel announced today it has partnered with Beaver River Broadband, a new majority Indigenous-owned Internet service provider jointly launched by Meadow Lake Tribal Council Resource Development Inc. (MLTC RDI) and Wood River Controls (WRC, operating as Wood River Internet).
Through its strategic partnership with SaskTel, Beaver River Broadband (BRB) “will bring improved high-speed internet access to Saskatchewan First Nation and rural communities,” a press release says.
BRB “works with communities to build specialized fixed-wireless solutions for broadband access,” the release explains.
Through SaskTel’s Rural Broadband Partnership Program (RBPP), launched in September 2021, BRB will use portions of SaskTel’s network “to deliver high-quality and reliable internet connections to more Indigenous and rural households,” allowing BRB “to fill current gaps in service in a timely manner and to scale the level of service to meet each location’s specific needs,” according to the release.
BRB is launching service in five Saskatchewan communities, starting with the Cowessess First Nation this fall, followed by Ministikwan Lake Cree Nation, Eagles Lake, Moudy Lake, and Birch Narrows Dene Nation, the release says. It plans to expand services to more communities, including the nine member Nations of the Meadow Lake Tribal Council (MLTC).
BRB will also help to increase Indigenous participation in the economy, returning financial benefits to the nine Nations under the MLTC and leading to job creation in communities where service is being deployed, according to the release. The service provider will provide community members with on-the-job training and opportunities to stay on for longer-terms as it expands service.
“This new enterprise represents a once in a generation opportunity for Indigenous ownership and economic participation by the nine MLTC First Nations in the internet service provider industry,” said MLTC tribal chief Richard Ben, in the release. “Beaver River Broadband aspires to be a leader in this sector, and will bring an essential service to Indigenous and remote communities that supports Indigenous self-determination — enabling our communities to improve access to education, employment, and essential programs and services for their members.”
“Beaver River Broadband strives to lead the way in connecting more communities in all corners of the province through a network that not only employs industry leading equipment and delivers reliable service, but also minimizes its ecological footprint by harnessing the grid alongside wind and solar energy,” said John Degraauw, CEO of Wood River Controls.
“Wood River Controls is proud to partner with MLTC RDI on this enterprise, which will provide financial returns to the nine First Nations under MLTC and create career opportunities for First Nation people while strengthening connectivity for Indigenous and rural communities across Saskatchewan,” he added.
“At SaskTel, we recognize that Saskatchewan’s strong and diversified broadband sector has the tools, resources and innovation needed to empower communities of all sizes to carve their own path to better connectivity and we are proud to continue growing our partnership program to bring more transformative projects to fruition,” said Doug Burnett, SaskTel’s president and CEO. “This partnership with Beaver River Broadband is a natural next step in ensuring SaskTel continues to deliver on our commitment to support a more connected Saskatchewan.”
Since it was announced last fall, SaskTel’s RBPP has been used to bring improved broadband service to several underserved Indigenous communities in Saskatchewan, including the Peepeekisis Cree Nation and Muscowpetung Saulteaux First Nation, the release says.
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