Project Title:
Sokaogon Chippewa Community’s Tribal Broadband Adoption and Use Project
Funding Program:
Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program
Project Purpose/Type:
The Broadband Use and Adoption project will cover the costs of broadband internet services for all Mole Lake Reservation households (approximately 500 Tribal members), including upgrades to service (faster connections) and new modems and routers as needed. The improved internet speeds and free-of-cost internet service will help ensure that this highly rural and geographically isolated community can stay connected, which is especially vital as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to induce shutdowns and necessitates virtual services over in-person.
State(s):
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$452,162.00Funding Amount
The project proposes the following activities designed to improve access to, and use of, broadband services among Tribal members:
- Promote broadband use and adoption by all Sokaogon Chippewa Community (SCC) households in Mole Lake by upgrading internet connection (including necessary routers and modems) for 180 households and covering monthly broadband internet services;
- Providing technical assistance to the community through a Community Technical Assistant who will work with households one-on-one to ensure access/adoption of broadband, with an emphasis on immediate set-up and helping youth connect to summer school (May-June 2022) and the new school year (September 2022), in addition to upgrading and covering monthly broadband internet services for the recreation center;
- Provide resources to 218 students to support distance learning through procuring equipment, including iPads, and supplemented by the upgraded internet connections;
- Promote telehealth through the procuring of necessary resources, including Internet services and iPads for the clinic and its patients.
Promote broadband adoption activities, telehealth, distance learning, digital inclusion efforts, and the expansion of affordable broadband programs.
The proposed project will cover the entire Lake Mole Reservation and provide assistance to the approximately one third of the Sokaogon Chippewa Community members therein and in nearby communities. There are 1,377 SCC Tribal members, one third of whom live on the reservation. The project proposes to benefit those on the reservation and those in nearby communities residing within Astrea’s (ISP) service area.