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AFN Special Chiefs Assembly - Resolution no. 11/2006
March 27 and 28, 2006, Gatineau, QB

Subject: First Nation Basic Infrastructure Includes Information Communication Technology

Moved By: Proxy Edward John, Tl’azt’en First Nation, BC

Seconded By: Chief Randall Phillips, Oneida of the Thames, ON

Decision:

On March 28, 2006, the Co-Chair referred draft resolution numbers 7, 9, 10, 12 and 13 to the AFN Executive Committee for their consideration.  On April 10, 2006, at a duly convened meeting, the AFN Executive Committee received and affirmed draft resolution numbers 7, 9, 10, 12 and 13.

WHEREAS there is a need for First Nation communities to have broadband access to the internet, videoconference, and telehealth services that includes connecting all administrative offices, schools, health centres, water treatment plants, cultural education centres, protection services, communication and other community owned facilities and residences; and

WHEREAS information communication technology should be considered as important as other levels of basic infrastructure, such as community roadways, water, electrical energy supply, and telephone; and

WHEREAS the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) has been mandated under Resolutions 72/2005; 65/2004; 15/2004; 15/2003; 25/2002 and other national resolutions to support, examine and advocate for appropriate Information Communication Technologies to better serve First Nations and First Nations citizens; and

WHEREAS information communication technologies in First Nations are sporadic, with varying standards, and generally lack the necessary funding to achieve and maintain a base level of connectivity; and

WHEREAS First Nation and federal government services, programs and capacity can be increased at the local, tribal, regional and national levels through advancing technology; and

WHEREAS increased connectivity initiatives will assist First Nations governments to communicate with citizens living in and away from their community of origin.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Assembly of First Nations will focus on specific initiatives to support the development of connectivity solutions in First Nations and amongst our organizational structures as a basic level of infrastructure;  and

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the Assembly of First Nations request the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs to:

1. Instruct his officials to advocate for amendment of the Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC) Capital Program to include funding for telecommunication and supporting technology as basic community capital infrastructure; and,
2. Ensure that INAC’s Northern Program has the authority to fund telecommunication and supporting technology; and,
3. Work with the President of the Treasury Board of Canada to amend INAC’s Capital Program Funding Authority to include telecommunications and supporting technology with other basic community capital infrastructure; and

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that connectivity initiatives must support community-identified and community-driven solutions; and

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that 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

FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED that the AFN Chiefs’ Committee on Economic Development will consider the reports of the National Working Group and ensure appropriate linkages to work involving with Community Development; Social; Health; Education; Languages; Economic Development to promote more comprehensive connectivity solutions; and

FINALLY BE IT RESOLVED that the Assembly of First Nations work with key federal departments (INAC, Health Canada, Industry Canada, and others) to identify and implement funding, advance these recommendations and identify new initiatives requiring immediate support for increased community connectivity.