KO-KNET Conducts Major Survey of First Nation Connectivity with Research Partners
Press Release - October 21, 2011
KO-KNET Conducts Major Survey of Community Connectivity with Research Partners
During the month of November, KO/K-Net and the University of New Brunswick will conduct a survey of community connectivity in Northwestern Ontario. The information gathered will help identify the broadband and connectivity needs of community residents. First Nation communities and K-Net will be able to use this information to target improvements and future developments.
With the survey information, researchers will work with collaborating First Nation communities to develop community reports and recommendations for action. Community leadership can use this information to help them take on more strategic management and ownership of their community connectivity and online activities.
KO/K-Net is the largest provider of internet connectivity and services to First Nation communities in the region. Every person who had a knet@ca email address in September - more than 43,000 people living in the region – will be invited to participate in the survey.
“The survey will help us identify community needs to improve connectivity services,” said K-Net Coordinator Brian Beaton.
For every hundred completed surveys, there will be a draw for a prize of either a $50 Walmart gift certificate, a $50 Keewaytinook Mobile phone card or a $50 Northern store gift card (winner’s choice). The grand prize draw is a laptop. The prize draw will happen in early December.
KO/K-Net has been working with the University of New Brunswick for many years on the VideoCom project (http://videocom.firstnation.ca), and the survey is part of that research project. Recently the research team completed reports and papers on community use of mobile and online technologies in collaboration with Fort Severn First Nation and Mishkeegogamang First Nation. The survey will allow researchers to develop new research collaborations with other participating communities in the region.
The survey will be conducted online. Survey leader Dr. Susan O’Donnell, Adjunct Professor at the University of New Brunswick (UNB) is in Fredericton. UNB Research Assistant Crystal Kakekaspan, a Grade 12 student at Queen Elizabeth High School, is working part-time on the project in Sioux Lookout. “We are looking forward to working with communities in the region to identify how they are using online technologies and what their future connectivity needs will be,” said Dr. O’Donnell.
For further information or to schedule an interview, contact
Brian Beaton, KO/K-Net Coordinator (brian.beaton@knet.ca) or
Susan O’Donnell, Adjunct Professor at the University of New Brunswick (susanodo@unb.ca).
Keewaytinook Okimakinak: www.knet.ca
VideoCom project: http://videocom.firstnation.ca