First Nation e-Community Framework

Concept and Backgrounder

Presentation to BC First Nations Technology Council ICT Summit

Vancouver, BCFebruary 24, 2012

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Economic Partnerships Portfolio Snap Shot

Portfolio areasEconomic Development

• Facilitating economic policy, programs, services, economic relationships, resource revenue development options, taxation, gaming, and Economic Blue Print

Labour Force Development• First Nation Human Resource Development• Relationships with Employers

Connectivity• Building the First Nation e-Community concept; awareness and supporting focus on portfolio

AFN Chiefs Committees:– Chiefs Committee on Economic Development– Chiefs Committee on Human Resources Development– Chiefs Committee on Gaming (inactive)– Chiefs Committee on Connectivity (proposed in a national resolution pending resources – and cites CCED

to follow connectivity, as well)

Technical Committees- Economic Experts Committee (ad-hoc)- Technical Working Group on HRD (ad-hoc)- Technical Working Group on Connectivity (ad-hoc) - Academic Advisory Committee (ad-hoc)

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Overview of National ResolutionsNo. Title Decisions

25/2002 Ongoing Information Communication Technology and support funding

• Advocate a process whereby First Nations address their core funding requirements in accordance with broadband connectivity and applications; and

• Request the Federal Government to act more expeditiously and boldly to provide financing required for operations and management, beyond currently identified funding, in order to cover increasing and on-going information technology infrastructure, planning, support and maintenance costs.

15/2003 First Nations Web Portal

• form work partnerships with the Chiefs and Councils of Manitoulin to gain knowledge and experience to develop a process for e-tools for First Nations communications, policy and advocacy; seek corporate and government sponsorship, academic support to promote broadband communications for First Nations peoples.

58/2004 Support for e-Health Services

• wwork with Keewaytinook Okimakanak (KO) and other First Nations Telehealth initiatives to ensure adequate funding and Health Canada programs are in place for the ongoing operation and maintenance of these essential services

65/200472/2005

First Nation Technology and Broadband Infrastructure

• work with Industry Canada and existing programs to develop a strategy that supports every interested First Nation to have access to broadband infrastructure and the required Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs); and

• work with INAC to ensure the ongoing operation and maintenance (O&M) of these local resources (services to communities by RMOs) are adequately sustained; and

• existing First Nation service organizations be supported to continue developing and delivering these broadband connections, information technologies and appropriate First Nation applications in partnership with First Nation schools.

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No. Title Decisions

83/2004 Provision of High-speed Internet Connectivity

• federal government called upon to fund a pilot High Speed Internet service to 50 rural and remote First Nations communities across BC using Aboriginal Literacy Enterprises Inc. satellite or T1 based internet server technology as a pilot program to provide low cost Voice Over Information Programming (VOIP) service, Dogwood accredited K-12 distance education, healthcare information access, local economic development opportunities, social development coordination, governance, administration support, and financial accountability.

70C/2005 Support For Keewaytinook Okimakanak’s Telehealth Services In First Nations

• work with KO and other interested First Nations to secure ongoing funding from Health Canada’s Aboriginal Health Transition Fund to provide the funds necessary to sustain and expand the KO Telehealth initiative for an additional three years;

• support the endeavours of KO to ensure FNIHB (Health Canada) identify and provide the necessary measures to adequately and sustainably fund First Nation telehealth initiatives once the Aboriginal Health Transition Fund Initiative ends.

70D/2005 Support For Equitable Access To Broadband Applications In Satellite Served First Nations

• work with the Northern Indigenous Community Satellite Network (KO, Keewatin Tribal Council and Kativik Regional Government) to lobby for federal funding to purchase two transponders required to provide the satellite bandwidth necessary for the delivery of equitable online services and access to broadband appl’s;

• the National Satellite Initiative program work with Infrastructure Canada and other federal government dept’s to identify the resources and strategies to adequately fund First Nation infrastructure initiatives such as the purchase of transponder space to ensure the ongoing operation and maintenance of these essential services in remote communities.

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70E/2005 Support for the Development of the Keewaytinook Okimakanak Public Digital Library

• Support resolution for the creation of the KO Public Online Library, funding applications, and support by providing electronic and paper copies of reports on education, health and wellness, housing, economic development and final studies commissioned by the AFN.

11/2006 First Nations Basic Infrastructure includes Information Communication Technology

• instruct INAC to amend the Capital Program to include funding for telecommunication and supporting technology as basic community capital infrastructure; and obtain better authorities to fund First Nation telecommunications and supporting technology;

• connectivity initiatives must support community-identified and community-driven solutions;

• the AFN Chiefs’ Committee on Economic Development establish a National Working Group on First Nations Connectivity to identify key federal policy gaps, and technical issues such as resource requirements, human resources, training, capacity gaps, and operation and maintenance issues; and make appropriate linkages to other policy areas;

• work with key federal departments (INAC, Health Canada, Industry Canada, and others) to support for increased community connectivity.

10/2007 Moving Toward a New Federal Framework to Support First Nation Economic Development

• full participation by First Nations in INAC initiatives to draft, review, identify, and/or revise any federal economic policy and program frameworks intended to support First Nations

• rejected proposals for pan-Aboriginal initiatives • supported the CCED work to coordinate, facilitate and build a national

strategy, using the First Nation Economic Blue Print, Corporate Challenge, and Economic Research Table processes as a basis.

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15/2008 First Nation Economic Development Strategy

•Supported work led by the CCED to develop the First Nation Economic Blue Print•Called for new federal framework to accommodate the blue print; oppose pan-Aboriginal approach

16/2008 A National Framework: First Nation E-Community

• supported initiatives for the continued development of Information Communication Technology (ICT) services at the community and regional level until a comprehensive national framework is in place

54/2008 Coordinated Information Management to Support Governance

• Recognize the need for immediate and sustained action in developing effective Governance Information Management principles, practices, standards and procedures, tools and capacities to support the creation or procurement of specific Information and Communication Technology (ICT) solutions for use by First Nations.

• Support mandated First Nations organizations in developing a collaborative approach to information management solutions to support First Nations Governments.

• Support mandated First Nations organizations in seeking on-going, secure, financial support from government to implement and sustain a coordinated information management strategy to support First Nation Governments.

53/2011 First Nations E-Community Strategy

• Reaffirmed support for the continued development and advocacy of a First Nation e-Community strategy by the AFN National Working Group

• Analysis and research is required on each of the strategic priorities including data management, First Nations engagement on new national approaches to connectivity; and, the role of the corporate community in connectivity

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AFN Chiefs Committee on Economic Development

Regional Chief Augustine (NB/PEI) Regional Chief Morris (YT)Executive Committee Portfolio Holder (chair/co-chair)

Yukon Chief Eddie Taylor, Tr’ondek Hwech’in First Nation Saskatchewan Vice Chief Morley Watson, Federation of

Saskatchewan Indian Nations

Alberta Chief Cameron Alexis, Alexis First NationOntario Chief Earl Klyne, Seine RiverNB/PEI Chief Joanna Bernard, Madawaska Maliseet First

NationNS/NF Chief Gerard Julian, Pag’tnkek First NationBC Chief Cheryl Casimir, St. Mary’s Indian BandWomen’s Council Adeline Webber, Yukon

QC and Manitoba – awaiting confirmation of representatives

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Think Tanks and Ad-hoc Working Group

• Ad-hoc working group • Origins date back to March 2005-06 caucus followed by annual think tanks in 2008,

2009, 2010• Recently held meeting on February 21-22, 2012 in Vancouver, BC• Think tank/meeting participants have included First Nation technical staff from the:

– Membertou First Nation, – Atlantic First Nations Chiefs (Help Desk), – Assembly of First Nations Quebec and Labrador (Education Commission), – Grand Council of the Cree (Economic Development), – Keewaytinook Okimakanak (K-net), – Chiefs of Ontario, Keewatin Tribal Council (KTC, and BCN more recently),– Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs – Keewatin Career Development Corporation, – Northern Inter-Tribal Health Authority, – Athabaska Health Authority– First Nation Technical Services and Advisory Group (Alberta), – First Nations Technology Council (BC), – Council for the Advancement of Native Development Officers, – Union of Ontario Indians (AHRDA), and – First Nation ICTs subject-experts from Ontario, and Council of Yukon First Nations.

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First Nation e-Community National Framework

The technical discussions held in the first Think Tank (March 2008) meeting were the basis for collectively structuring the following pillars of an e-Community framework:

I. First Nation Capacity Development

II. First Nation Connectivity

III. Human Resources Development

IV. Information Management

V. Service Delivery and Partners

• Technical participants noted revisions and content will evolve and will need to be revisited regularly.

These five pillars form the basis of a First Nations e-community

strategy.

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Vision, Mission and Core Strategies to guide a FirstNations e-Community strategy

Vision• First Nation ICT is a fundamental right• All First Nations regardless of size or location, receive state of the art ICT

infrastructure and services that are driven by community needs and controlled by First Nations.

Mission• To advocate and support an e-Community model that is driven, owned and

controlled by First Nations

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First Nations e-Community Core Strategies

All considerations within the national framework are to be included inan e-Community strategy and can be captured within four core strategies.

Infrastructure – First Nation ICT Infrastructure to adapt to and driven by community needs and infrastructureConnectivity – Immediate access to managed and scalable network servicesHuman Resources – Meeting community ICT humanResource and labour requirementsSustainability – To ensure First Nation ICT is sustainable through governance capacity, coordination, ongoing core funding, information and data management to support development, service delivery and partners, and capacity and resources

Governance is identified as an overarching issue that runs throughout all core strategies.

First Nation Capacity DevelopmentCapacity and ResourcesFirst Nation capacity resources required for new and existing infrastructure

development, institutional development, operations and management that is stable

and predictable.

1.1 Funding requirements to enable capacity development is a priority– Resources and support at each level (local, regional and national) is required; and

attention on remote areas

– Sustainability and dependable, permanent funding is a very high priority in all regions

– Require capital funds to build administrative infrastructure and support ongoing O& M

– New resources

1.2 Funding formula considerationsPrinciples

– Linkages/development with a First Nation governance structure

– Modernizing and sustaining existing infrastructure is a priority

– Scale must include special initiatives to connect very remote areas

– A funding formula needs to be designed in coordination with other program areas

– Regional organizations that offer second level support services to First Nations-

Education, Health and Social, Economic Development, Skills Development

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– Similar to other levels of government, f/p/t, First Nations require funding to sustain their technical, operational, and full ICT requirements.

Governance Capacity and CoordinationIn line with establishing appropriate systems of government, First Nations must be part

of the program and policy development processes and decision making processes. The

clear objective is to ensure sustainable systems are built where First Nations control

solutions, means, become owners and maintain infrastructure property.

1.3 A First Nations – Federal Design Process required– Process to include a mandate to jointly develop policy advice, new strategic

parameters, reporting mechanisms, communications requirements for a new federal authority to invest in First Nation ICT requirements

– Other potential collaborative efforts

1.4 Maintain/strengthen AFN Chiefs Committee linkages

1.5 Encourage Federal Coordination

1.6 Support and development of partnerships with Indigenous Peoples– Maintain an ICT linkage to UN policy discussions relevant to the portfolio

– World Summit on the Information Society

Security and Privacy considerations are paramount

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First Nation Connectivity

First Nation ConnectivityICT Infrastructure is no longer optional. Future levels of service requirements and ability

to manage and transfer information based on key service points in a community are

based on adaptable, scalable, sustainable and affordable systems.

2.1 Principle Objective– Eliminate the connectivity gap and establish a collaborative timeline (specific

timelines)

– First Nations have access to the necessary resources so they can built and maintain a

connectivity plan that incorporates progressive business ethics, is future orientated, strives for operational excellence, and achieves user satisfaction

– Ability to define bandwidth

– Promote First Nations ownership and control of infrastructure, including the ownership of network circuits, is necessary to maintain a bandwidth guarantee

2.2 Bandwidth Guarantee – First Nations control over the flow of information– All First Nation communities require managed broadband circuits that enable the

community to administer their own data, applications and services.

– Best of breed technology must be considered in terms of scalability, availability, sustainability, and capacity.

– Local bandwidth capacity and serviceability; requirement is broadband that is appropriate to the community.

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2.3 First Nations ICT Communities define costs, needs and standards– Infrastructure gaps and last mile solutions must be identified and match community

requirements

– Develop and assess grid can be applied in community to determine individual broadband

– requirements.

– First Nation business matrix

– ICT business support centers to be part of the calculation

– Change management initiatives to support a digitized environment

– Early constructs to be developed

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Human Resources DevelopmentAs First Nation governments are developing infrastructure, specialists with

technology-based and information management training will be required to

support local and regional systems.

3.1 Visioning Exercise, education and awareness required at community and

regional level– Advancing operational activity in communities from paper records to electronic records

requires– development of competencies and capacities.– Initiative to build a regional e-community begins with human capacity, which guides the

HRD requirements in ICT’s– Inventory of current HR operating capacity and need assessment to sustain this field

• Salary standards

• Training support, apprenticeships, identified cost/percentage per staff person

• Venues to obtain ICT skills and support skills at community level

• HR needs for program areas eg. Health technologists

– Coordinated training efforts• Create a beneficial environment for First Nation employees to gain from myriad of federal

• training initiatives

• Federal partners must acknowledge and support communities to keep pace with initiatives

• becoming increasingly electronic with respective departments

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3.2 Other investments to support information management systems, document management and e-reporting are required.

– Community champion to dedicate efforts toward a managed ICT portfolio

– Explore enhanced role of CIO’s in communities and regions

3.3 Link and involve organizations in process, use existing models to help create human resources/economic development capacity in communities while establishing a vibrant ICT capacity in communities.

First Nation Information Management

Connectivity is an essential (enabler) service for First Nations. Directly associated to this

capacity, is the management of data and information which the ICT system maintain,

transfer and store – locally and regionally.– Information is created, built, maintained and expanded by First Nations– Information management as a partner in the ICT field

4.1 First Nation information planning, accountability, tool design– System support requirements are needed to AANDC funding agreements– Information system and infrastructure tools are established, the next logical step is for– Communities to manage information

4.2 Plan for a transfer of structure data/information management and storage – Identify pilot sites and support requirements– Identify shared information channels– Identify fragmented information requirements– Identify controlled/classified information channels– Produce inventory of affected information sources

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Service Delivery and Partnering

First Nations may identify partnering opportunities with the private

sector and other partners.– Framework on which First Nation regional and local ICT service providers/leaders, government and

local/regional partners can identify and respond to economic environmental and social well-being issues

– Business case/business support requires equity capital

– National partnering may be prioritized for research requirements

– National levels in partner opportunities

– Instances where market competitiveness and concept of First Nations and private sector partnerships are not in agreement on market and service delivery

– For some First Nations, partnerships will become an important means to raise awareness of First Nations ICT

– Provincial and Territorial partnerships

5.1 Where a business partnership may be proposed, a program initiative to help support First Nation equity needs must be identified (locally, regionally, and nationally).

5.2 Federal support and involvement will be requested for national research partnerships.

5.3 Ensure that local and regional First Nation authorities are recognized and supported in all sectors to establish partnerships with the appropriate P/T partners.

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Portfolio Communications and Awareness Building

Who are we reaching out to in order to help build awareness of the functions/potential capacities of the e-community?

• First Nation Communities, Tribal Councils, First Nation organizations and offices

• Members of Parliament; Members of Legislative Assemblies; Senators on Aboriginal Affairs, and representatives

• Telecommunications companies• Federal counterparts and possible champions in bureaucracy• Provincial and Territorial counterparts and bureaucracies• Agencies – CRTC; federal ecdev agencies (ACOA, WED, FedNor, SDEQ)• National repositories of First Nation information• Academia • Research Organizations

How?• Regional Profiles on the important work by the First Nation service provider

“community”• Working with magazines/journals to tell the story • Develop an historical on what has taken place to date for program supports – get

others “in the know”.

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Portfolio Activity – Looking Ahead• First Nations e-Community strategy that includes strategic

investments and projections

• Continue to monitor Federal initiatives/legislation

• Communiqués on:

– Broadband: Operations, Maintenance & Sustainability

– Geographic and Organizational Challenges

– IT Labour Force & Human Capacity

• Examine the impact of broadband on First Nations economic development

• Identifying research/data gaps and working with experts to address information deficits

• Labour Force/Human Resource Environmental Scan