Case site name: K-Net (Kuh-ke-nah)

Transcription

1 CRACIN K-Net Case History May 2004 Page 1 of 20 Case site name: K-Net (Kuh-ke-nah) 1) Timeline overview: (Sources K-Net Services & PACTS) 1991 Incorporation of Keewaytinook Okimakanak (K.O.), Northern Chiefs tribal council, one of seven in the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) 1993 Wawatay Native Communications Society, Wahsa Distance Education Centre, and NAN initiate NAN-Wide planning over future of telecommunications for First Nations in North Western Ontario. (Telecommunications Infrastructure 1994 K.O. (education branch) works on BBS around Sioux Lookout Area Aboriginal Management Board funded Stay in School Project 1995 K.O. ICT branch officially becomes K-Net Services; The K-Net BBS expands to all 28 First Nations in the Sioux Lookout district; K-Net establishes a toll free telephone support system for the district Ongoing K-Net becomes Help Desk for Industry Canada s First Nations SchoolNet, helping schools across Northern Ontario install and operate computers and DirecPC equipment 1997 K-Net migrates to a client-server platform and introduces web-based and browsing through a service; K-Net develops hybrid MSAT/DirecPC system for remote First Nations internet access; K-Net establishes regional on-line training programs for community Computer Technicians 1998 K-Net assumes leadership role in the NAN-wide Telecommunications Infrastructure Working Group; K-Net initiates infrastructure process with regional carriers 1999 K-Net leads regional participation in the CRTC High Cost Serving Area process; Application to Industry Canada SMART program entered into second phase for business plan development 2000 North of Red Lake digital Infrastructure Project complete; North Spirit Lake and Keewaywin telephone service established; Video conferencing and high speed data connection established 2001 Keewaytinook Internet High School grand opening; Kuh-ke-nah SMART First Nations is launched; North of Pickle Lake digital Infrastructure Project completed; KOHS-NORTH (Telehealth) Network is launched 2002 KO Telehealth delivers telemedicine services in five K.O. First Nation Communities; K-Net becomes Industry Canada s agent for C-Band Public Benefit transponder; K-Net is selected as Industry Canada s First Nations SchoolNet Regional Management organization for Ontario.

2 CRACIN K-Net Case History May 2004 Page 2 of KO Telehealth approved by Health Canada to expand to 19 additional remote First Nations in Northwestern Ontario; KIHS expands to thirteen First Nations; Video conferencing network expands to over 50 different communities across Canada Kuh Ke Nah SMART International Gathering (March 17 & 18) showcase and closing ceremonies for the SMART Demonstration Project (which officially ended March 31): Speakers from NAN, K.O., the five SMART K.O. Communities, K-Net Services, KiHS, Telehealth, IC/FedNor, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, Guatemala, and USA share their perspectives on community networking. 2) Stakeholders & Partners: Keewaytinook Okimakanak Communities North Spirit Lake Keewaywin Fort Severn Poplar Hill Deer Lake McDowell Lake K.O. Telehealth Partners Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario (FedNOR) Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC) Northern Ontario Medical School (NOMS) Sioux Lookout First Nations Health Authority (SLFNHA) NORTH Network First Nations Inuit Health Branch Ontario Region, Health Canada Primary Care Health Transition Fund, Health Canada Menoyawin Health Centre, Sioux Lookout Sioux Lookout Health Zone First Nations (19 Health Centres) Nishnawbe Aski Nation Political Territorial Organization representing 49 First Nations in Northern Ontario who are signatories to Treaty No. 9 and Treaty No. 5 (in Ontario). Keewaytinook Okimakank is one of seven NAN tribal councils. There are also independent First Nations allied with NAN (e.g., Sandy Lake). In 1998 K-Net agreed to lead a NAN-wide initiative to accelerate the regional use and adoption of ICTs ( Regional Organizations (Linked from K-Net Portal) ( Ojibway and Cree Cultural Centre Aboriginal Nutrition Advisory Committee Ontario First Nations Technical Services Corp Equay-Wuk Oshki-Pimache-O-Win Sandy Lake Health & Diabetes Project

3 CRACIN K-Net Case History May 2004 Page 3 of 20 Five Nations Energy Inc. Shibogama First Nations Council Independent First Nation Alliance Sioux Lookout Aboriginal Health Authority Indian and Northern Affairs Canada Sioux Lookout Anti-Racism Committee Confederation College, Job Connect Sioux Lookout Area Aboriginal Management Board Matawa First Nations Management TB Prevention Program Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund The Jules Mattinas Healing Lodge - Tony Fireman Treatment Centre Nishnawbe-Aski Legal Services Tikinagan Child and Family Services Nishnawbe Aski Nation Wabun Tribal Council Nishnawbe Aski Police Service Nishnawbe Aski Development Fund Wahsa Distance Education Centre Nishnawbe Gamik Friendship Centre Wakenagun Community Futures Development Corporation Nodin Counselling Wawatay Native Communications Society Weeneebayko Health Ahtuskaywin Northern Nishnawbe Education Council Windigo Education Authority Windigo First Nation Council Mushkegowuk Council 3) Community Network Staff: Keewaytinook Okimakanak (Balmertown Office unless otherwise stated) Administration: Geordi Kakepetum - Executive Director Ross Mamakeesic- NAN Community Research Coordinator Brian Walmark Policy / Research Advisor (Thunder Bay office) Cheryl Bechard Executive Secretary Economic Development: Naz Huda - Economic Development Worker Arlene Meekis Outreach Worker Education: Darrin Potter-KiHS Principal (September, 2002) Lynda Kakepetum - KIHS Guidance Counselor Charlene Walsh - KiHS/Education Secretary Jim Teskey KO Education Advisor

4 CRACIN K-Net Case History May 2004 Page 4 of 20 Finance: Penny Carpenter - Financial Manager / Advisor Christine Thomas - Payroll Personnel Officer Brenda Beardy Accounts Payable Clerk Janice Peebles Accounts Receivable Clerk Alesha Millette Finance Clerk (on leave) Health: Tina Kakepetum-Schultz Acting Health Liaison / Director May Botterill - Health Assistant Phyllis Chowaniec - Long Term Care Nurse Marney Dodic Home and Community Care Kevin Houghton - Telehealth Project Manager Donna Williams, Regional Telehealth Coordinator Dale DePiero, Telehealth Informatics Educator Gibbet Stevens, Telehealth Scheduler Public Works: Peter Campbell - Public Works Manager Ray Stewart- Construction Inspector Bruce Piercy - Technical Services Advisor Serge Bernard - Project Technologist Barry Strachan - O&M Technologist (on leave) Jerry Pokrupa - Architectural Technologist Robert Hunter - GIS/Architectural Technologist Gayle Reid - Public Works Secretary K-Net Services: Brian Beaton - K-Net Services / SchoolNet Coordinator Dan Pellerin - Network Manager Adi Linden - Network Systems Analyst John Moreau - Hardware and Software Technician - Helpdesk Jesse Fiddler - Multimedia Applications Lars Dixon - Balmertown Computer Technician Helpdesk Jamie Ray Helpdesk Technician Margaret Lawson - McDowell Lake Computer Technician Cal Kenny - Graphic Designer K.O. Kuh-ke-nah Network Team Members (to March 2004) (Adapted from Kuh-ke-nah Management Team Members Geordi Kakepetum - K.O. Executive Director - Balmertown office Responsibilities Overall management of Keewaytinook Okimakanak Reports directly to the Board of Directors Supervises all programs and projects

5 CRACIN K-Net Case History May 2004 Page 5 of 20 Brian Beaton - K-Net Coordinator - Sioux Lookout office Penny Carpenter - Finance / Business Manager - Balmertown office Dan Pellerin - Network Manager - Sioux Lookout office Les Meekis - Community Manager - Balmertown office Darrin Potter - KiHS Principal - Balmertown office Kevin Houghton - Telehealth Project Manager - Balmertown office Peter Campbell - Public Works Manager - Balmertown office Jesse Fiddler - Multi-Media Coordinator - Sioux Lookout office Keewaytinook Internet High School: Balmertown Admin office (Darrin Potter, Lynda Kakepetum, Charlene Walsh) Sioux Lookout office (Freda Kenny, Vice- Principal) Telehealth Team Members: Balmertown program admin staff (Kevin Houghton, Christine Penner-Polle, Donna Williams, Gibbet Stevens, Dale DePiero) Deer Lake Smart Team: Oscar Meekis, Darrell Ostamas, Jeremy Sawanas Overall management of K-Net Services activities Supervises SMART Project General management of SMART Project Manages financial reports Directs supervision of Balmertown staff General management of network development and operation Manages technical staff in K.O. offices and First Nations General management of First Nation Smart Team members in each K.O. First Nation Coordinates community surveys, training and evaluations General management of Keewaytinook Internet High School Program development and supervision General management of health programs and delivery of services including the telehealth work Program development and supervision General management of data warehouse and local First Nation infrastructure projects Project development and supervision duties General management of multi-media web environment Management of First Nation Multi-media Producers and training support Development and delivery of Grade 9 and 10 high school courses (full coarse load) Each KiHS First Nation has a full-time teacher and if there are enough students a local classroom assistant is employed Development and delivery of K.O. Telehealth Initiative Each K.O. First Nation has a local Telehealth Coordinator Each hospital has a telehealth coordinator and the different regions have a Medical Director Working out of the Deer Lake e-centre to develop and deliver ICT support services

6 CRACIN K-Net Case History May 2004 Page 6 of 20 Fort Severn Smart Team: Madeleine Stoney, Angus Miles, Barney Turtle Keewaywin Smart Team: Raymond Mason, David McKay, Blue Mason North Spirit Lake Smart Team: Darlene Rae, Arnold Thompson, James Rae Poplar Hill Smart Team: Susan Owen, Salina Strang, Erica Owen Portal & Data Warehouse Development: Cal Kenny, Steven Zussino, Robert Hunter Technical and Network Development & Support: John Moreau, Adi Linden, Lars Dixon, Margaret Lawson Administration & Financial Support: Crystal Meekis, Cheryl Bechard, Ruth Anne Beardy, Alesha Millette, Brenda Beardy Working out of the Fort Severn e-centre to develop and deliver ICT support services Working out of the Keewaywin e-centre to develop and deliver ICT support services Working out of the North Spirit Lake e- Centre to develop and deliver ICT support services Working out of the Poplar Hill e-centre to develop and deliver ICT support services Developing web pages and online database applications Constructing, maintaining and supporting the operation of the network and its ICT components Technical assistance Supporting the smart team with secretarial and financial administration 4) Funders & Contributors: (Adapted from Time Amount of Funds Funding Agency Purpose Period 1994 $74,000 Sioux Lookout Aboriginal Area K-Net BBS Stay in School Project Management Board (SLAAMB) 1995 $188,000 INAC K-Net BBS expansion Ongoing FNs, MET, INAC-ISSP Ongoing First Nations $40,000 MET $40,000 (1998) INAC-ISSP $100,000 ( ) $180,000 IC First Nations SchoolNet $60,000 SLAAMB $175, $260, $240,000 K-Net/K.O. Support Services: telephone support, training sessions, K-Net Conferencing System, CMC courses K-Net Help Desk Services Training for staff (Computer technicians, Computer Network Administrators, Webmasters)

7 CRACIN K-Net Case History May 2004 Page 7 of 20 Summer s CAP- $25,000 per Summer INAC- $60,000 (1997) $90,000 (1998), $55,000 (1999) CAP- FN Summer Students INAC- Computer, Science and Technology Camps Summer student employment and training; Science and Technology Camps Approx $8,000,000 (Keewaywin - $1.56M, North Spirit Lake - $1.2M, Deer Lake - $400,000) FedNor, Bell Canada, HRDC, NOHF, INAC, FNs Telecom Infrastructure Upgrades $230,000 CAP Access sites established and staffed; Support provided to other 24 remote FNs $330,000 INAC, HRDC, FedNor WAN development, training and support: for Band Office, Health and Education services $220,000 FedNor, HRDC NAN-Wide Telecom Study and development support for FNs to get connected $250,000 HRDC-OLT, FedNor, NOHF K-Net business plan development, Kuh-ke-nah letter of intent for IC SMART Communities Project $500,000 FedNor, Telesat Canada Satellite served high speed data connection to provide IP video services between Fort Severn and Sioux Lookout organizations 2000 $80,000 FedNor Kuh-ke-nah business plan for 2000 ongoing $9,360,000 Industry Canada (Smart Communities, FedNor), INAC, NOHFC, HRDC- OLT, HC, SLAAMB SMART Approx $1,000,000 per year INAC Ongoing development and operation of the Keewaytinook Internet High School Development and delivery of the Kuh-ke-nah Network of Smart First Nations Initiative $500,000 FedNor On-line Education program development including development of Network Operations Centre $1,760,000 Health Canada, FedNor Development and delivery of telehealth services in 5 KO First Nations (part of the $17 M NORTH Network Initiative)

8 CRACIN K-Net Case History May 2004 Page 8 of $500,000 FedNor Development and operation of a dark fibre optic network connecting First Nation organizations in Sioux Lookout $23,700 Trillium Foundation (Ontario) To increase the reach, quality and sustainability of Turning Point: Native Peoples and Newcomers on Line, a Webbased conversation forum to facilitate respectful dialogue, information sharing, understanding and co-operative action $92,000 Industry Canada -CAP ICT equipment and operation of CAP sites $500,000 FedNor Development and operation of a C-Band satellite Network Management System and Network Operations Centre to support the C-Band Public Benefit resource $3,400,000 initiative (Aug March 2004) ( Annual-Report pdf) $1,600,000 ( ) IC First Nations SchoolNet K-Net becomes Ontario s FN SchoolNet Regional Management Organization, administering and developing connectivity strategies (and ICT applications) for all First Nation schools in Ontario $500,000 FedNor Construction and operation of a 7.3metre C-Band earth station in Sioux Lookout to accommodate increased communities (Quebec, Manitoba, Ontario) $6,200,000 Health Canada, FedNor, NOHFC, NORTH Network Expansion of the KO Telehealth Initiative to include 19 more remote First Nations 2003 $92,000 Industry Canada -CAP ICT equipment and operation of 2004 $24,000 NRCan/GeoConnections Sustainable Communities Initiative (2004 is the final year of funding) CAP sites GIS Pilot study with Fort Severn K.O. First Nation - s/136prs.pdf

9 CRACIN K-Net Case History May 2004 Page 9 of $500,000 FedNor (ICT Applications) 2004 $464,000 FedNor (ICT Applications) 2004 $500,000 FedNor (ICT Applications) K.O. will purchase several pieces of telecom and computer equipment for the Tele-health centres and Tele-health administration including 16 videoconferencing units, 30 IP telephone units, 3 projectors, 26 wireless routers, 2 video cameras, 28 digital cameras, and 31 computers Internet Protocol (IP) telephony will be installed in the five K.O. communities and delivered over the KNet private network of leased Bell Canada lines and its own C Band satellite infrastructure To provide Information & Communications Technology equipment to Keewaytinook Internet High School sites Contributions: Bell Canada K-Net negotiations with Bell Canada have substantially reduced the cost of regional access to broadband services. In 1998, published tariffs indicated per community access at almost $7,000 per month. K-Net's MOU with Bell Canada identifies an aggregated [bulk purchase] per community cost of approximately $3,700 per month for ATM switched guaranteed bit rate services and $1,840 per month for mbps frame relay access - a net decrease of between 48% and 74% in the total cost of network access. Alliances Involving K-Net staff: FedNor Aboriginal Working Group, Telecommunications Committee An advisory body that assessed telecommunications needs and gaps in northern Ontario First Nations. Operated from 1998 to Northwestern Telecom Advisory Committee A regional body that guides the development of regional networking across northwestern Ontario. Operated from 1994 to Northwestern Ontario Telehealth Planning Group A regional body established to examine the demand and need for telehealth services for communities in Northwestern Ontario. Operated from 2000 to National Broadband Task Force (Infrastructure Working Group) A national advisory structure to Industry Canada that is tasked with determining how high

10 CRACIN K-Net Case History May 2004 Page 10 of 20 speed connections and services will be delivered across Canada. Operated in National First Nations Telehealth Working Group A national advisory body to Health Canada that is identifying workable approaches and models for telehealth delivery in First Nations and Inuit communities National Telehealth Interoperability Working Group A national ad hoc body that is examining the clinical, operational and technical issues for creating an interoperable system of telehealth in Canada SMART Communities A consortium of twelve regional communities that have been designated by Industry Canada as national SMART community demonstration projects Community Access Program Adjudication Committee A regional review committee that reviews and approves applications to Industry Canada's Community Access Program 5) Organizational form: K-Net Services facilitates the development of community networks. Its mission involves working with First Nations to enable their ownership and control over terrestrial and/or satellite broadband networks. K-Net believes that in order for a network to be sustainable in a small community, the community (in terms of families and organizations) needs to be involved, as much as possible, in all the development phases and ongoing operations. This position was adopted by the NAN Chiefs in Assembly Resolution 03/49: SUPPORT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NAN BROADBAND REGIONAL NETWORK FOR FIRST NATIONS which among other things directs government programs and services along with other agencies to utilize and contribute to local community networks. ( K-Net brokers at least five kinds of partnerships: communal (e.g., 31 FNs in 2004), regional (e.g., NAN, K.O., SLAAMB), provincial (e.g., MNDM, Trillium), federal (e.g., IC, HRDC, INAC), and international (e.g., Linux, OSS). Partnerships consolidate around particular ICT projects. K-Net needs community and regional partnerships that attract people to study, develop and test versions of ICTs. It needs people in communities and regional organizations to promote the social benefits of ICTs (e.g., Telehealth, KiHS). In return, the communities and regional organizations are given an opportunity to develop and test ICTs in contexts relevant to their traditions and work. K-Net primarily subsidizes ICT development through provincial and/or federal partnerships. These partnerships seed projects with grant money, may include in kind contributions or reduced rates, and may offer technical support along the way. Despite the short-term focus of grants, K-Net has achieved durable partnerships with colleagues in Industry Canada/FedNor, First Nations SchoolNet, INAC, North Network, etc, alongside regional funding agencies such as SLAAMB. Kuh-ke-nah also includes international partners, such as development communities represented in K-Net s use of Open Source Software and standards (e.g., PeeWee Linux, PostNuke, PHP).

11 CRACIN K-Net Case History May 2004 Page 11 of 20 Another facet of K-Net s organizational form is its role as technology incubator. K-Net facilitates demonstrations of ICT development in collaboration with K.O. branches, K.O. communities, neighbour First Nations, regional organizations, etc. Demos allow K-Net to test technologies on a smaller scale, build local knowledge and expertise, and give communities and regional organizations a chance to study various ICTs before committing to invest. Ideally, as each ICT demo passes through initial prototyping phases (incubation), versions become scaleable to broader communities and regional organizations. 6) Access provision: Carriage ( As of August 2003, the Kuh-ke-nah network consists of 20 remote First Nations in Northern Ontario linked together via a broadband infrastructure. Other points-of-presence on the network in urban centres across Northern Ontario include Timmins (with a local wireless loop connecting First Nation organizations), Thunder Bay (with a local wireless loop running off a 100M service), Sioux Lookout (with a fibre and wireless loop on a 10M circuit) and Balmertown (with DSL and cable service). The hub is located in Toronto co-located at the Education Network of Ontario office complex with a fibre loop to some other Toronto based agencies. K-Net s 100M Internet connection is located from the Education Network office. Various applications and services are being delivered out of Keewaytinook Okimakanak offices in Sioux Lookout and Balmertown as well as in K-Net s partner sites located across the country (SMART Communities). On a national level, points-of-presence (with video conferencing capabilities) are also located in First Nation organizations in Sydney (Nova Scotia), Wendake (Quebec), Winnipeg and Thompson (Manitoba), La Ronge (Saskatchewan), and Vancouver (BC). Eight of K-Net s remote community partners rely on C-Band broadband satellite services using Industry Canada s public benefit transponder with a locally supported Network Management System in partnership with the Kativik Regional Government in northern Quebec ( Hardware devices K-Net has experience in both satellite and terrestrial networks as well as different technologies such as DOCSIS cable installations, wireless (900 and 2400 megahertz) installations, HDSL and ADSL technologies. K-Net also has experience building embedded computers for various applications such as the K-Net router and the K-Net remote access server ( A multi-point video Accord bridge and a Cisco IP audio Call Manager are now in place to handle multiple sites for both video and audio IP connections.

12 CRACIN K-Net Case History May 2004 Page 12 of 20 Software tools PostNuke Content Management System: PostNuke is a Free Software PHP based content management system. K-Net s default installation of PostNuke includes a Page and Menu Editor, News & Articles system, Guestbook, Event Calendar, Photogallery, and Website Statistics. Customizations and additions can be made ( Default Installation...$ per site Customizations......$65.00 per hour Website Development, Programming, Maintenance and Support: K-Net Multimedia staff is fluent in web technologies such as PHP, MySQL, Javascript, and Flash. Staff can create custom web based programs and scripts or modify existing scripts and programs to suite individual and organizational needs. Hourly Rate:...$65.00 per hour Content/services Arts & Crafts: The K-Net portal ( hosts photo galleries for First Nations artists and craftspeople to promote their talents. There are currently 309 images available: Portfolios of 18 visual artists, 16 craftspeople, and two photographers. Ecommerce applications have been considered. Homepages: The personal homepages ( service is a rapidly growing service that is now reaching over 15,000 visitors daily and nearly 50 million hits a month. CHAT: Users (including anonymous visitors) may connect to chat using K-Net s two clients: Basic (with support for emoticons and text colour), and Advanced (with more options but fewer emoticons). Users can also download and install mirc and connect to irc.knet.ca on port There is a Lobby, and specific chat rooms for Kids, Teens, and Adults ( Domain Name Registration: Education: As the Regional Management Organization for First Nations SchoolNet in Ontario, K-Net offers free webpages to Ontario First Nations schools (PostNuke environment). In conjunction with KiHS and FN SchoolNet, K-Net is developing Open Source E-learning tools for online supplementary courses in Science, Math and English ( The tools, designed by Fernando Oliveira, enable teachers to manage courses, track student records, and create assignments within a single content manager (MOODLE).

13 CRACIN K-Net Case History May 2004 Page 13 of 20 Hosting: In 1998 K-Net hosted about 1200 active accounts. The majority of these accounts were of users dialing in to check their messages on the K-Net conference system. In October 2000 active K-Net accounts increased to nearly As of January 2003 there are over 9000 K-Net accounts ( In February, 2004 there were over 13,000 K-Net account holders with the number growing daily. The majority of these users are First Nation users living in remote communities across Northern Ontario. Games: The K-Net portal includes a trove of games (Pacman, Tetris, Jewels, Tiles, Boxworld, Golf 01, Duck Hunt, Radsnake, Target Shooting 3, Frogger, Parking, Moonlander, Space Invaders, Memory, Breakout, Balloon-Hunter ). Players compete against each other s scores, and may post comments online. Some games are multi-player. Health: A VPN tunnel is in place on the network providing a connection to the telemedicine network s (NORTH) VPN concentrator, which provides access to more than 70 hospitals located across Ontario and to the Health Science centre in Winnipeg. Help Desk: K-Net s Help Desk fields about 10 calls per day for technical assistance in both hardware and software applications. K-Net Services employs a full-time technician to address Helpdesk issues. K-Net staff regularly field hardware and software questions on the K- Net Conferencing system. Keewaytinook Okimakanak's On-line Training Centre: K-Net s On-line Training tool is a customizable web-based E-learning environment (WebCT) offered for communities and regional organizations to deliver their training programs ( Online Surveys: As part of the SMART Demonstration project K.O. and K-Net Services used a variety of surveys to gather information about the information and communication technologies (ICTs) that organizations and businesses utilize ( Server Hosting Services: Videoconferencing: The five K.O. First Nations and the K-Net offices (Balmertown, Sioux Lookout) each have videoconferencing facilities. A number of NAN-wide First Nations have their own equipment and participate ( Website Hosting: Packages Monthly Fee 6 mo. 12 mo. 24 mo.

14 CRACIN K-Net Case History May 2004 Page 14 of 20 Basic 25 MB of Server Space FTP and SSH Access Unlimited Traffic Access to PHP, Perl, and MySQL Service Support by and tollfree Free 5MB of Server Space FTP and SSH Access Domain Name of yourname.myknet.org NO Domain Registration allowed $25.00 $ $ $ Free Free Free Free Youth: The K-Net portal hosts a youth space that includes thematic pages of mainly outside links: Children s Corner (games, book & movie reviews, school connections, dinosaurs ), Technology (Netcorps, Cyber life, C-Net ), Music (Much Music, MP3.com ), Science (Why Files, OYSTER ), Sports (Sports line, Just sports for women ), and Native Studies (Legends, Sitting Bull, Northern wood carvings ). Access provision The pricing for the network is shared among all the different network users, thus aggregating bandwidth costs and supporting local community economic development efforts with ICTs. A key to the K-Net strategy has been to aggregate pull together demand for services on a sub-regional basis. This approach was first developed in connection with the Keewaytinook broadband strategy and has matured within the context of the SMART demonstration project. The aggregation model has been coupled with the newly upgraded digital infrastructure to establish a network-wide service and to reflect a significantly stronger purchasing and management capacity within NAN. Training/social facilitation Small group training sessions in the K-Net Services meeting room Large group training sessions at conferences Telephone support is provided for individuals, toll-free service ( KNET) On-line training support via the K-Net Conferencing System Computer mediated communication (CMC) courses (e.g., with Confederation College) Community based training sessions with K-Net Services staff Computer Assisted Learning packages Governance Keewaytinook Okimakanak is a non-political Chiefs Council (or tribal council) which advises and assists its member First Nations. The organization is directed by the Chiefs of the member First Nations who form its Board of Directors. The First Nations include Deer Lake, Fort Severn, Keewaywin, McDowell Lake, North Spirit Lake, and Poplar Hill.

15 CRACIN K-Net Case History May 2004 Page 15 of 20 7) Locations/premises: Offices K.O. Head Office Fort Severn First Nation General Delivery Fort Severn, Ontario POV 1WO K.O. Sub-office P.O. Box 340, 127 Mine Road Balmertown, Ontario POV 1C0 Ph: General Office Fax: (807) Public Works Fax: (807) K-Net Services 115 King Street, Box 1439 Sioux Lookout, Ontario P8T 1B9 Tel: (807) Fax: (807) Toll Free: KNET (5638) e-centre/man In 2001 K-Net officially became one of Industry Canada s 12 Smart Community Demonstration Projects in partnership with five KO First Nations. The objectives were to develop online services in areas such as health, education, business, governance, and administrative support; and host community portals, video conferencing, and personal accounts ( , webspace) -- on top of extending the physical network, and developing e-centres that manage municipal area networks in each of the five KO communities. Each municipal area network provides a single source of live Internet access, and serves a Band office, family dwellings, constabulary, school(s), a nursing station, and other possible facilities. Each e-centre currently employs a manager, a computer technician, a multimedia producer, and support staff. E-Centre staff maintains LANs in each of the municipal buildings as well as last mile solutions for resident subscribers. 8) Community context: In Northern Ontario 1, where this case study takes place, the population (approx. 839,549) is about 92% Northern settlers (a mixed group) and 8% First Nations. The population density is about one person per km 2. Past the 50 th parallel, to where this study s community partners work and live, the settlements are overwhelmingly First Nation, 1 Northern Ontario covers over 800,000 km2, almost 89% of Ontario s land area. It extends across two time zones, from the southern boundary of the District of Muskoka, north to Hudson Bay and James Bay, and westerly from Quebec to the Manitoba border.

16 CRACIN K-Net Case History May 2004 Page 16 of 20 largely represented by the PTO Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN). The region represented by NAN includes a total population of approximately 25,000 people. The majority of this population lives in remote communities with inhabitants. For many communities, the only year-round access in or out of their area is by small airplane. There is an estimated population of 2,800 people in the 5 communities that Keewaytinook Okimakanak tribal council represents. Deer Lake is the largest community with a total population of people live in Keewaywin, 470 live in Fort Severn, 316 live in Poplar Hill, and 314 live in North Spirit Lake. The Sioux Lookout district (North of SL), where K-Net is headquartered, is approximately 200,000 km 2, with approximately 20,000 people from 23 First Nations (Ramirez et al 2004; In NAN communities (under Treaty No. 9 and Treaty No. 5), approximately 25% of the total population is under ten years old, and an additional 25% is between the ages of ten and 19. Less than four percent of the total population is 60 or older. Approximately 36% of the adult population is unemployed or receiving some form of social assistance. High school completion rates are low, particularly for those 45 years of age or older (Ramirez et al 2004; The Treaty No. 9 people speak one of two distinct Native languages: Cree and Ojibway. Both belong to a common stock known as the Algonkian group of languages. Within both of these languages, there are many dialects, each associated with a particular First Nation and location. In Northwestern Ontario alone, there are over 30 Cree and Ojibway dialects ( There is also Oji-Cree, which for some is a third cultural-language group distinct from the others. Native language retention is a primary concern for NAN First Nations. Youth in the region predominantly speak English as a first language. 9) Significant achievements: Keewaytinook Internet High School KiHS provides on-line access to high school programming for youth in K.O. and across the region (13 partner communities in ). It is the first Ontario school to offer accredited secondary school courses using the Internet as a mode of program delivery. In KiHS served a full grade nine and ten curriculum online. (Course Outlines@ (Q&A for students and families@ Community Information Technology Centres (e-centres) Each e-centre is a hub for municipal area networks in each of the five K.O. community settlements. Each municipal area network provides its community with a single source of live Internet access, which serves a band office, family dwellings, constabulary, school(s), a nursing station, and other possible facilities. Each e-centre currently employs a manager, a computer technician, a multimedia producer, and support staff. A local e- Centre Manager coordinates the operation of the Centre and organizes technology

17 CRACIN K-Net Case History May 2004 Page 17 of 20 workshops and demonstrations. The Centre provides access to IP videoconferencing, coordinates local cable infrastructure, provides computer workstations for public access and multi-media production, as well as acting as a central office for the e-centre Manager, the local Network Technician, and the Multi-Media Producer. In 2004 new modular buildings have been committed to house the e-centres. Kuh-ke-nah Portal The K-Net Portal ( is a high-speed WAN-based gateway that reflects local character and priorities. The K-Net Portal offers various on-line services including , discussion forums, personal homepages, games, and chat. It hosts local and regional links to 37 First Nation organizations and 49 communities ( Data Warehouse The Data Warehouse Initiative is building community and regional database projects, including K-Net News ( network webserver statistics ( and K-Net photogallery. One major database application developed by Knet staff is the open source e-learning platform that the Internet High School is now using along with other on-line training initiatives. A GIS application is under development. Keewaytinook Okimakanak Telehealth K-Net supports the development of an integrated IP environment for dynamic (datavoice-video) health services delivery. K.O. Telehealth uses ADCOM telemedicine workstations, which have cameras, stethoscopes, and otoscopes attached (among other tools). Telehealth s immediate goals are to improve First Nations access to health professionals and health programming, and to reduce isolation for First Nations health workers. K-Net/K.O. is partnered with North Networks on this initiative. IP Video Conferencing and Telephony Project K-Net staff works in partnership with First Nation organizations across Canada to deploy and support IP video conferencing and IP telephony services as a revenue generating stream for the Kuh-ke-nah Network. Over 100 video conferencing units are now in place in First Nations and First Nation organizations across the country. IP telephones are being distributed to the K.O. First Nations for distribution using the same process used for the cable modems. Broadband Network Deployment The IP broadband network is operational in each of the K.O. First Nations. The network is being migrated to other First Nation organizations and communities to ensure its ongoing development and maintenance. Requests for technical assistance have been steadily increasing. Helpdesk support services are in place for network management and training purposes. Management and Organization K.O., Northern Chiefs, is integrating ICT and broadband applications across its programs and services to enhance its support of member First Nations. Regional and community organizations are using K.O. as a model to guide their own use of ICTs. The migration to distributed financial accounting systems is creating more opportunities for telework and

18 CRACIN K-Net Case History May 2004 Page 18 of 20 associated support services across the different office locations in the region. 10) Organizational records/archives/publications Some papers created for presentations Some reports and research documentation Some presentations made at different conferences Networks in Local ICTs Strategy.pdf Languages.pdf Some published articles and documentation that have information about K-Net N.Ontario.pdf The PACTS study documentation completed in March Ricardo Ramirez s Doctoral Thesis (includes K-Net case study) Newspaper Articles and Stories about K-Net s work On-line Multi-Media Presentation Series of Case Studies produced for the Institute for Connectivity in the Americas (ICA) entitled Harnessing ICTs: A Canadian First Nations Experience (December 2003)

19 CRACIN K-Net Case History May 2004 Page 19 of 20 Contains the PDF files along with video footage for five case studies including: * Executive Summary * Introduction to K-Net * K-Net Network Development - * K-Net Case Study on Economic Development - * K-Net Case Study on Health - * K-Net Case Study on Education - K-Net s On-line News Archives contains articles and links to additional information and resources being created to document the K-Net story From Potential to Practice: Telecommunications & Development in the Nishnawbe-Aski Nation - A Report on K-Net activities to improve regional telecommunications infrastructure and diffuse information & communication technologies and capacities between October 1998 and October 2000 ( The K-Net history documentation - The K-Net Smart Communities Best Practices (links to many of the deliverables achieved during the Smart Communities demonstration project) - ICT Innovation and Personal Stories from the Little North the land of the Ojibway, Oji-Cree and Cree people a collection of the ICT stories produced by Rick Garrick for bi-weekly publication in Wawatay News under the Kuh-ke-nah Page - Published Papers by Ricardo, Don and the TDG team who are partnering with K-Net in researching these telecom opportunities and ICT impacts in rural and remote communities. (see Ramírez, R.; Aitkin, H.; Kora, G. & Richardson, D. (under review). Community engagement, performance measurement and sustainability: Experiences from Canadian community based networks. Journal of the Community Development Society. Ramírez, R. and Richardson, D. (under review). Measuring the impact of telecommunication services on rural and remote communities. Telecommunications Policy. Ramírez, R Bridging disciplines: The natural resource management kaleidoscope for understanding ICTs. Journal of Development Communication 14 (1): Ramírez, R Review of best practices in sustainability and performance measurement by Canadian community based electronic networks, for Industry Canada.

20 CRACIN K-Net Case History May 2004 Page 20 of 20 TeleCommons Development Group/ Review of best practices in community engagement by Canadian community based electronic networks, for Industry Canada. Ramírez, R A model for rural and remote information and communication technologies: A Canadian exploration. Telecommunications Policy 25 (5), Richardson, D., Ramírez, R. and Haq, M Grameen Telecom's Village Phone Programme: A Multi-Media Case Study. Canadian International Development Agency. Ramírez, R Rural and remote communities harnessing information and communication technology for community development. PhD thesis. University of Guelph. Ramírez, R. and Richardson, D PACTS for rural and remote Ontario: Research Report Year 1 and Case Studies. Partnerships, Accessibility, Connectivity Transformation Strategies. School of Rural Extension Studies, University of Guelph. Richardson, D. & Ramírez, R 'PACTS' for rural Ontario: Partnerships, accessibility and connectivity transformation strategies for rural Ontario. Agri-food research in Ontario Vol. 23. No. 1 (Summer), 6-7. History prepared from Secondary Materials by: Adam Fiser