Chief Scott Jacob of Webequie feels that access to the ‘Net is an essential part of the infrastructure of any remote and isolated First Nation in Ontario’s far north. “With the internet came a lot of new things to our community. Technology is really moving us forward,” he said. “I use it everyday to communicate, conduct research and to stay on top of political and economic events that could impact on my community.” The Chief says he cannot imagine a day without access to the ‘Net. “There are a lot of research opportunities. I can communicate more effectively and my correspondence is easier and faster,” he said. “Things get done a lot faster,” he added. Chief Jacob finds email a more useful communication tool than the telephone. “I don’t have to rely on the phone to contact anyone. I can get my message across to the band employees whether they are at their desks or not.”

Chief Jacob says the internet is one the most effective ways to seek out funding opportunities and grants. “We get a lot of our information regarding available programs that the community can use. On line applications also make things a lot easier.” He says he saves time and money on travel with the internet and videoconferencing. “We can reduce expenses by utilizing the technology.”

Broadband cable internet was installed in Webequie though the existing cable system in 2002 by a partnership between the community, Blair Electronics and K-Net Services with funding support from Industry Canada / FedNor. Prior to the introduction of broadband, the community had dial-up service. It was slow and unreliable. The point-of-presence (PoP) was the Simon Jacob Memorial Education Center, the local school. The school was connected to the “Net through a satellite dish. It provided only four outside lines to the community. Webequie also was approved as a Community Access Program (CAP site). The community had five computers on-line in the Distance Education classroom. “Back then, we were forced to have time limits for members accessing the ‘Net”, said Ennis Jacob, the Education Director. With more bandwidth and better equipment, Chief Jacob estimates that at least sixty percent of the houses on-reserve have access.

Paul Capon, a Political Advisor with Matawa, says Webequie is a role model for other First Nations which want to improve access to the ‘Net. “At first, access to the ‘Net was limited by necessity to the leadership in Webequie, elected and technical. However, the members quickly recognized the power of the ‘Net and they wanted access too first through the CAP site and later though home access.”

Lillian Suganaqueb, Webequie’s Health Director says demand for better and faster service is generated by grassroots community members who are realizing the power of the ‘Net. “Until recently, only a few people had access. That’s changed in the last couple of years. Now everybody is demanding better and faster service.” She has some concerns about the growing use of the ‘Net in Webequie. “Over the holidays, there was a sharp decline in those who were participating in the Christmas activities. The organizers believe that people were too busy being on-line. They even threatened to shut the internet down to get more participants out to community events.” Suganaqueb adds many people are concerned about some of the negative influences available on the ‘Net and believes that the community should study ways to limit the more harmful material and prevent access to the most objectionable web sites.

The next priority for Chief Jacob is to connect the remaining houses in the community. “There is a demand for more access from people who don’t have the service at homes.” He also wants to hire an on-call computer/IT technician to maintain the community network. He says the community members want more computers in the CAP site. Becoming a partner in KO Telehealth is also a major priority for Webequie, he says, however, currently they have neither the space to house the program or adequate bandwidth to support the extra usage. “Telehealth,” he says, “is something the community needs.”

One of the greatest challenges in the future will be to ensure that traditional First Nations values of sharing are maintained and promoted in the way the ‘Net is used . “The technology should be used for the benefit of everyone,” said Lillian Suganaqueb.

For more information, see the community website at http://webequie.ca