FNTC is an Indigenous-led organization, mandated by BC First Nations, with extensive experience in the areas of education and training, research, sector engagement, and digital equity. FNTC operates at the intersection of Indigenous sovereignty, technological advancement and the rapidly expanding technology and innovation economy.
Digital and connected technologies are a determinant of nation building and community well-being, yet the lack of reliability and affordability of access facing many Indigenous people and communities is a key barrier. The result is ongoing economic exclusion and hardship. Addressing these barriers, alongside an investment in Indigenous communities’ digital skills development, is both an urgent need and a strategy for long-term resilience and self-determination.
Building on lessons learned from our first partnership (Advancing Digital Equity project), we will now scale the partnership enabling and equipping First Nation youth to be leaders in digital technology.
This partnership includes:
• The launch of ‘Connecting Digital Futures’ which emphasizes the development of tailored solutions to narrow the digital divide and create sustainable employment opportunities. It will involve direct training in community cohort models and include paid work internship opportunities with Indigenous employers.
• Implementing lessons learned in the first partnership include scaling the work to the size of the community and developing a community-focused approach.
