THUNDER BAY — The governments of Canada and Ontario announced today they are providing $14 million in joint funding for three broadband infrastructure projects to support Indigenous education in northern Ontario.
The Canadian government is investing $11.2 million in these projects through the Covid-19 Resilience Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, while the Ontario government is providing $2.8 million.
According to a government backgrounder document, the first project, the Nishnawbe Aski Nation Student Internet Connectivity Project, “includes the purchase and installation of connectivity kits for student learning hubs and homes in the Nishnawbe Aski Nation allowing students to connect to low earth orbit satellites, and develop cloud-based servers to enable secure access to school websites and provide cyber-security protections.” The Canadian and Ontario governments are providing $7.7 million and $1.9 million, respectively, for this project.
A second project, the Anishinaabeg of Kabapikotawangag Resource Council Student Internet Connectivity Project, will support students in five member communities, including Animakee Wa Zhing #37 First Nation, Big Grassy First Nation, Ojibways of Onigaming First Nation, Anishinabe of Wauzhushk Onigum, and Northwest Angle No 33 First Nation.
For this project, the Canadian and Ontario governments are respectively providing $2.1 million and $531,874 in funding which “will support purchase and installation of connectivity kits throughout five First Nations communities, allowing access to low-earth orbiting satellites, and develop support for secure access to school websites. Once complete the project will provide a more stable internet connection for students and will provide access to online mental health support,” reads the backgrounder.
The third project, the Seven Generations Education Institute Student Connectivity Project, will support students in eight First Nations, including Anishinaabeg of Naongashiing, Couchiching First Nation, Lac La Croix First Nation, Mitaanjigamiing First Nation, Naicatchewenin First Nation, Nigigoonsiminikaaning First Nation, Rainy River First Nation and Seine River First Nation.
“The project will provide secure internet connectivity to students to attend school remotely and provide access to online mental health support in eight First Nations in Ontario. Work includes the installation of satellite dishes in six First Nations communities and connecting fibre cables in two First Nations communities. Once complete, the project will provide secure access to school websites and cyber-security protections,” reads a description of the project, which is receiving $1.4 million and $355,964 in funding from the Canadian and Ontario governments, respectively.
The Ontario government’s press release did not announce which Internet service providers are involved in these broadband infrastructure projects or are receiving funding to do the work.
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