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Unlocking Opportunity: How Developing Tribal Broadband Advances Communities and Business Services Like E-Commerce and Artificial Intelligence (Virtual Informational Session)

Current Opportunities for Economic Development That Shouldn't Be Missed

Brief Description: Broadband, telecommunications, and AI are sectors that represent areas of significant infrastructural need with tribal and Native lands, provide tremendous current opportunities for significant funding, and offer fertile ground for new partnerships with non-Native entities and governments. This virtual session will bring together the foundational elements of plan development and implementation within the context of very relevant and ripe sectors.

Featured SME
Carolee Wenderoth - Tribal Engagement Coordinator, EDA
Strategic Planning, Grant Writing
Carolee Wenderoth - Tribal Engagement Coordinator, EDA
Strategic Planning, Grant Writing
Strategic Planning, Grant Writing
Jon Walton - CEO, Yurok Telecommunications
Broadband, Technology, Community Facilities
Jon Walton - CEO, Yurok Telecommunications
Broadband, Technology, Community Facilities
Broadband, Technology, Community Facilities
Andrew Orosco Jr. - Senior Broadband Program Specialist, U.S. Department of Commerce
Broadband, Technology
Andrew Orosco Jr. - Senior Broadband Program Specialist, U.S. Department of Commerce
Broadband, Technology
Broadband, Technology
Matthew Douglas - Broadband Manager, Hoopa Valley Tribe’s Public Utilities District (HVPUD)
Broadband, Community Facilities, Technology
Matthew Douglas - Broadband Manager, Hoopa Valley Tribe’s Public Utilities District (HVPUD)
Broadband, Community Facilities, Technology
Broadband, Community Facilities, Technology
Linnea Jackson - General Manager, Hoopa Valley Public Utilities District (HVPUD)
Broadband, Community Facilities, Strategic Planning
Linnea Jackson - General Manager, Hoopa Valley Public Utilities District (HVPUD)
Broadband, Community Facilities, Strategic Planning
Broadband, Community Facilities, Strategic Planning
Joe Valandra - CEO & Chairman, Tribal Ready
Technology, Strategic Planning, Law
Joe Valandra - CEO & Chairman, Tribal Ready
Technology, Strategic Planning, Law
Technology, Strategic Planning, Law
Rebecca Naragon - Economic Development Director, United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc (USET)
Technology, Strategic Planning
Rebecca Naragon - Economic Development Director, United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc (USET)
Technology, Strategic Planning
Technology, Strategic Planning
Matthew Rantanen - Vice President Tribal Broadband, Southern California Tribal Chairmen's Association (SCTCA)
Technology, Broadband, Strategic Planning
Matthew Rantanen - Vice President Tribal Broadband, Southern California Tribal Chairmen's Association (SCTCA)
Technology, Broadband, Strategic Planning
Technology, Broadband, Strategic Planning
Tedd Buelow - Tribal Relations Team Lead and Tribal Coordinator, USDA Rural Development
Community Facilities, Housing
Tedd Buelow - Tribal Relations Team Lead and Tribal Coordinator, USDA Rural Development
Community Facilities, Housing
Community Facilities, Housing
Featured Resources
$27 Million in Technical Assistance for Rural and Tribal Communities - Department of Transportation
Available Funding
$27 Million in Technical Assistance for Rural and Tribal Communities - Department of Transportation
Available Funding

The DOT’s Build America Bureau offers $27 million in technical assistance grants to rural and tribal communities for the planning and design phase development of transportation projects. There is no local funding match required to participate in this program. The Bureau designated up to $10 million for Tribal applicants.

Available Funding
BUILD NATIVE - Shopify’s Digital Indigenous Entrepreneurship Community
Current Projects
BUILD NATIVE - Shopify’s Digital Indigenous Entrepreneurship Community
Current Projects

Build Native is a resource for Indigenous entrepreneurs and Shopify merchants in Canada & United States. The community provides a space to connect, learn from and build with fellow creatives, get exclusive offers, and Build together.

Current Projects
American Indian Sovereignty and E-Commerce - PBS Video
New Research
American Indian Sovereignty and E-Commerce - PBS Video
New Research

Many tribes in the U.S. have started doing business over the internet, resulting in conflicts between state, federal and tribal laws. National Congress of American Indians chairman Brian Cladoosby and professor Robert Miller, the faculty director of the Rosette, LLC Native American Economic Development Program of the Indian Legal Program, will discuss issues of e-commerce in this video.

New Research
Legal Issues in Tribal E-Commerce - American University Business Law Review
New Research
Legal Issues in Tribal E-Commerce - American University Business Law Review
New Research

E-commerce has become a massive industry, and the laws governing e-commerce are rapidly evolving. This article addresses some of the major issues that have arisen in tribal e-commerce to date and offers policy recommendations to promote tribal e-commerce.

This article can be used by Tribal/Native leaders to understand E-commerce, legal issues within e-commerce, and utilize this research to advocate for their communities.

New Research
The Tribal Digital Divide: Extent and Explanations - Center for Indian Country Development
New Research
The Tribal Digital Divide: Extent and Explanations - Center for Indian Country Development
New Research

This paper highlights internet access, connection speeds, and internet pricing in Native communities. It also researches the gaps to accessible internet between tribal and non-tribal areas.

This working paper can be used by Tribal/Native leaders to understand gaps in internet access and utilize this research to advocate for their communities.

New Research
California’s Initiative to Improve Broadband Impact on Tribes and Underserved Communities: Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative
Available Funding, Current Projects
California’s Initiative to Improve Broadband Impact on Tribes and Underserved Communities: Middle-Mile Broadband Initiative
Available Funding, Current Projects

California is strengthening broadband connections to improve access to education, health services, and employment opportunities throughout the state. The initiative has created 10 Tribal joint-build partnerships and engagements that are impacting at least 46 miles of Tribal and rural communities.

Available Funding, Current Projects
Youth are Preserving an Indigenous Language Through AI: Lakota AI Code Camp
Current Projects
Youth are Preserving an Indigenous Language Through AI: Lakota AI Code Camp
Current Projects

Lakota AI Code Camp (LAICC) is centering Native perspectives in AI, machine learning, coding, and all tech spaces. The camp is uplifting data sovereignty and data inclusion by teaching the next generation of Indigenous voices.

Current Projects
The Yurok Tribe Received $61 Million Grant to Bring High Speed Internet to Nearly 1,000 homes and 110 Businesses
Current Projects
The Yurok Tribe Received $61 Million Grant to Bring High Speed Internet to Nearly 1,000 homes and 110 Businesses
Current Projects

The Yurok Tribe known as Oohl is using their $61 million Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program grant to provide accessibility and uplift and empower tribal and local economies and communities in the long term by installing broadband across reservation land.

Current Projects
Up to $200 Million Available in Rural Development Broadband ReConnect Loan & Grant Program - USDA
Available Funding
Up to $200 Million Available in Rural Development Broadband ReConnect Loan & Grant Program - USDA
Available Funding

By the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the ReConnect Loan and Grant Program furnishes loans and grants to provide funds for the costs of construction, improvement, or acquisition of facilities and equipment needed to provide broadband service in eligible rural areas.

Available Funding
Tribes and AI: Possibilities for Tribal Sovereignty
New Research
Tribes and AI: Possibilities for Tribal Sovereignty
New Research

This article delve into the ways AI can augment tribal legal systems, healthcare, education, cultural preservation endeavors, economic development, and administrative capacity for Tribal nations.

New Research
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Core Components of Economic Plan Implementation - Part 2 (In-Person Training)
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January 22

Implementing an Economic Development Plan or Strategy (Virtual Training Session)