文章基本信息

标题：Digital Divides and the 'First Mile': Framing First Nations Broadband Development in Canada
本地全文：下载
作者：McMahon Mr., Rob ; O'Donnell Dr., Susan ; Smith Dr., Richard 等
期刊名称：International Indigenous Policy Journal
电子版ISSN：1916-5781
出版年度：2011
卷号：2
期号：2
页码：2
出版社：University of Western Ontario
摘要：Across Canada, rural and remote First Nations face a significant 'digital divide'. As self-determining autonomous nations in Canada, these communities are building broadband systems to deliver public services to their members and residents. To address this challenge, First Nations are working towards a variety of innovative, locally driven broadband development initiatives. This paper contributes a theoretical discussion that frames our understanding of these initiatives by drawing on the paradigm of the 'First Mile' (Paisley & Richardson, 1998). We argue that broadband development policy in Canada must be re-framed to address the specific needs of First Nations. The First Mile position foregrounds community-based involvement, control, and ownership: a consideration we suggest has particular resonance for First Nations. This is because it holds potential to move beyond the historical context of paternalistic, colonial-derived development policies, in the context of broadband systems development. We argue First Nations broadband projects offer on-the-ground examples of a First Mile approach, and call for more research in this area.
关键词：Broadband policy; Broadband networks; Community networks; First Nations issues; Digital Divide; Policy Frameworks; rural and remote broadband