The money is intended to improve access to jobs, education, and healthcare through the internet.
Buell said that many indigenous communities are disproportionately affected by the connectivity gap.
To bridge the digital divide, his group advocates for community-driven connected solutions like community or municipal networks.
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“These community networks keep resources in local areas, build skills for local people and provide well-paying jobs.
And they are shaped by the community to meet their specific needs.”
Indigenous people on tribal lands often live in less populated areas, posing geographical challenges for large providers.
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The Cost of Lacking Broadband
Lack of broadband can be isolating.
Buell said tribes without high-speed internet often have limited access to online banking and work.
“The internet’s opportunities are particularly tremendous for rural and remote communities,” he added.
“When Indigenous communities get connected, they are typically super-users.
Grants like the one provided to the Winnebago tribe are part of the federal Tribal Connectivity program.
