CanNor Brings Highspeed to the High North

CanNor-10-012

Yellowknife (Northwest Territories), May 10, 2010 – The Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) will invest in improved information technology for the Katlodeeche (KFN) and Yellowknive’s Dene First Nations (YKDFN).

The Honourable Chuck Strahl, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, today announced that CanNor will invest $265,000 for two projects which will enhance Internet connectivity for people living in Northwest Territories communities.

“Industry standard Broadband and Internet service will improve the way communities conduct business, communicate with their families, and even receive health and social services. Our Government is delighted to invest in these Northwest Territories communities with long-term technological infrastructure,” said Minister Strahl, who is also the Minister of Indian and Northern Affairs, and Federal Interlocutor Métis and Non-Status Indians.

“Investments in the Katlodeeche First Nation’s broadband service will provide immediate cost saving and administrative improvements for the band council, as well as training and employment opportunities for local residents,” said the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister Responsible for the North and Minister of Health. “The Yellowknives Dene First Nation will also benefit from the initiatives being made by CanNor, as they explore the creation of a self-owned and operated electronic community.”

"CanNor's funding has enabled us to build our existing infrastructure into a more robust and streamlined system, lowering administration costs and ensuring more accountability and transparency. The video-conferencing capabilities also give our Chief and Council more time to spend at home and on the land, instead of travelling for meetings. We can connect anywhere in Canada," said Lyle Fabian, KFN Band Councillor and project head. "In our culture, communication has always been very important. This is another way of communicating, to link our community through technology."

“With CanNor funding, the Yellowknives Dene First Nation was able to assess its IT infrastructure, networking, security and connectivity upgrade requirements and develop viable options to realize these upgrades,” said Stephan Folkers, YKDFN Housing Manager. “CanNor funding also allowed the Yellowknives Dene First Nation to assess its IT-support capacity building needs.”

The investment is made possible through CanNor’s Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development (SINED) program, which focuses on long-term economic growth, economic diversification and capacity building in the three territories. 

SINED is one of several economic development programs within CanNor which is responsible for coordinating and delivering Canada’s economic development activities in the territories, and for related policy development, research and advocacy.

Backgrounder - Government of Canada Supports Better Connectivity

For copies of CanNor news releases, visit: http://www.cannor.gc.ca.

Please visit these web sites to learn more about Canada's Economic Action Plan   and Canada's Northern Strategy  .

 

For further information, please contact:

Office of the Honourable Chuck Strahl
Press Secretary
819-997-0002

Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
Petra White
Communications Advisor
(867) 669-2580
Petra.White@cannor.gc.ca

Katlodeeche First Nation
Lyle Fabian
Project Manager and Band Councillor
867-874-6701

Yellowknives Dene First Nation
Stephan Folkers
Housing Manager
867-920-4403