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August 26, 2021

 

Closing the Digital Divide: Call for Presentations

National Tribal Broadband Summit 2021

The Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs invites you to present your latest work in planning, constructing, delivering, and using Tribal broadband networks at the 2021 National Tribal Broadband Summit. The event will be conducted virtually September 17, 24 & October 1, 2021. 

We encourage service providers, engineers, researchers, funders, regulators, anchor institutions, telehealth and distance learning specialists, tribal governments, organizations and institutions, and other key players from across the country to submit your best projects, programs, or initiatives to be presented at the National Tribal Broadband Summit, which will cover the following topics: 

  • Implementing the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Grant. Planning and implementing network construction and expansions, obtaining rights of way, NEPA assessments, and multi-jurisdictional projects. Implementing telehealth, distance learning, adoption, and workforce development projects, including equipment distribution and maintenance, curriculum development, and training methodologies.
  • Planning for Long Term Success. Identifying needs, setting goals, creating strategies, developing a plan and leveraging data to maximize the short and long-term educational, cultural and economic benefits of connectivity. Developing a local tribal workforce to maintain and operate networks, capacity building for Tribes and Tribal organizations, and achieving financial stability.
  • Technical Solutions, Middle Mile, Connectivity Solutions. Exploring the various connectivity options available and identifying possible solutions to bring broadband to Tribal lands. E.g., white space, new spectrum and how to use it best, middle mile networks. 
  • Broadband Use and Adoption. Leveraging technology to improve health care outcomes, enhance economic development, increase community engagement, and expand educational opportunity. 

KEY DATES 

Deadline for Abstract Submission: August 20, 2021 

Notification of Acceptance: August 27, 2021

Deadline for Full Presentation Submission: September 10, 2021

SELECTION CRITERIA  

Presenter should have demonstrated history of success:  

  • expanding broadband access, inclusion, and adoption, 
  • financing broadband infrastructure, or  
  • leveraging broadband for social and economic well-being or cultural preservation in American Indian, Alaska Native, and/or Native Hawaiian communities, schools, libraries, museums and cultural organizations.

Summit organizers are looking for representation across the telecommunications ecosystem – we encourage submissions from small, medium and large enterprises, and Tribes or educational institutions with expertise on broadband development and spectrum access on Tribal lands.

Preference may be given to proposals that include content from federally recognized Tribes or Tribal partners.  

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES 

Provide a 1- to 2-page summary of your presentation proposal to rsvp@bia.gov by 5:00 PM ET on Friday August 20, 2021. 

The summary should indicate which main topic you are addressing, describe the presentation content and format (e.g., slide deck, panel discussion, etc.), the name and title of any speakers. 

Please attach any prepared supporting materials, such as slide decks, brochures, etc., that would accompany the presentation and/or better help Summit organizers assess your proposal. 

All abstracts will be evaluated highly on originality and technical value, any improvement, refinement, and development can be completed while preparing and editing the final presentation. 

Final presentations must be 508 compliant. See www.section508.gov/create/presentations for more information.

July 20, 2020

National Tribal Broadband Summit, Save the Date, September 21-25, 2020, Virtual Event

 

 

Creative Connections: Call for Presentations

The Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs invites you to present your latest work in planning, constructing, delivering, and using tribal broadband networks at the 2nd annual National Tribal Broadband Summit. The event will be conducted virtually September 21 – 25, 2020. 

We encourage service providers, engineers, researchers, funders, regulators, and other key players from across the country to submit your best projects, programs, or initiatives to be presented at the National Tribal Broadband Summit, which will cover the following topics: 

  • Planning & Implementation Identifying needs, setting goals, creating strategies, developing a plan and leveraging data to maximize the short and long-term educational, cultural and economic benefits of connectivity. Identifying sources of Federal, private and other programs and funding sources and leveraging these and community assets to best address strategic goals and community needs. Building and leveraging partnerships with both public and private entities to support connectivity and maximize the positive impacts of broadband access. 
  • Technical Solutions, Middle Mile, Connectivity Solutions Exploring the various connectivity options available and identifying possible solutions to bring broadband to your unique community. E.g., white space, new spectrum and how to use it best, middle mile networks. 
  • Applications for Social, Cultural, & Economic Well-Being Leveraging technology to improve health care outcomes, enhance economic development, increase community engagement, and expand educational opportunity. Responding to the coronavirus pandemic through emergency broadband networks, developing new and expanded services such as telemedicine and virtual learning programs, protecting community members, and preparing for future shocks. Smart cities, smart agriculture etc. 

KEY DATES 

Deadline for Abstract Submission: August 14, 2020 

Notification of Acceptance: August 28, 2020 

Deadline for Full Presentation Submission: September 8, 2020 

SELECTION CRITERIA  

  • Presenter should have demonstrated history of success:  
    • expanding broadband access, inclusion, and adoption, 
    • financing broadband infrastructure, or  
    • leveraging broadband for social and economic well-being or cultural preservation in American Indian, Alaska Native, and/or Native Hawaiian communities, schools, or libraries. 
  • Summit organizers are looking for representation across the telecommunications ecosystem – we encourage submissions from small, medium and large enterprises. 
  • Preference may be given to proposals that include content from federally recognized tribes or tribal partners.  

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES 

  • Provide a 1-page summary of your presentation proposal to rsvp@bia.gov by 5:00 PM ET on Friday, August 14, 2020. 
  • The summary should indicate which main topic you are addressing, describe the presentation content and format (e.g., slide deck, panel discussion, etc.), the name and title of any speakers. 
  • Please attach any prepared supporting materials, such as slide decks, brochures, etc., that would accompany the presentation and/or better help Summit organizers assess your proposal. 
  • All abstracts will be evaluated highly on originality and technical value, any improvement, refinement, and development can be completed while preparing and editing the final presentation. 
  • Final presentations must be 508 compliant. See www.section508.gov/create/presentations for more information.

Look for registration information coming in August.

September 12, 2019

CONFIRMED!

The National Tribal Broadband Summit is less than two weeks away! We are thrilled to announce the following organizations will be represented as presenters and panelists at this year's Summit.

Tickets are going fast! If you'd like to join us, we suggest reserving your spot today!

American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Arctic Slope Regional Corporation
Arctic Slope Telephone Association Cooperative
Atlantic Tele-Network Inc.
Bureau of Indian Affairs, U.S. Department of Interior
Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Department of Interior
Chickasaw Nation Department of Commerce
Choice Wireless
Education Superhighway
Health Resources and Services Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Housing Authority of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
Indian Health Service, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Institute of Museum and Library Services
Internet 2
Internet is Infrastructure
Measurement Lab
Mohawk Networks
MuralNet
National Congress of American Indians
National Endowment for the Arts
National Endowment for the Humanities
National Telecommunications & Information Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce
Navajo Tribal Utility Authority
New Mexico Public Education Department
North Dakota Interactive Video Network
Office of Global Partnerships, U.S. Department of State
Office of Native Affairs and Policy, FCC
Office of Native American Programs, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, U.S. Department of the Treasury
Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Sacred Wind Communications
Santa Fe Indian School
Smithsonian Institution
STAR Charter Academy
State Library of Arizona
T-Mobile
Verizon

August 30, 2019

PRESENTATIONS SELECTED

Thank you to all the individuals and organizations who submitted proposals for breakout sessions at the National Tribal Broadband Summit. The following organizations have been selected to host a breakout session:

Arctic Slope Telephone Association Cooperative

Commnet

Navajo Tribal Utility Authority

Sacred Wind Communications

T-Mobile

Verizon

August 23, 2019

REGISTERATION IS OPEN!

The U.S. Department of the Interior invites you to join us on September 23-24, 2019 in Washington, DC for a two-day National Tribal Broadband Summit. Planned in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Education and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Summit aims to build capacity among Tribal communities to support broadband deployment and adoption. If you are interested, read on and register!

The Summit will provide an opportunity for Tribal Leaders, representatives of Tribal organizations, representatives of schools and school districts serving under-connected Native students, Tribal libraries, museums, and cultural centers, private sector, and federal program managers and policymakers to facilitate meaningful discussions focused on bridging the connectivity gap in Indian Country. Sessions will focus on topics including: Funding Broadband Infrastructure, Connectivity Solutions, Planning and Implementation, Community Engagement & Partnerships, Leveraging Technology for Social and Economic Well-being, and Protecting & Preserving Culture.

The Summit will be held at the U.S. Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street NW, Washington, DC, 20240 on September 23rd and 24th from 9:00AM – 5:00PM ET. Doors will open for registration at 8:00AM ET.

Register

Please follow this link to register for the Summit. The Summit is open to the public and free to attend. If you have colleagues that might be interested in attending, please share this invitation!

Additional Questions?

For the latest updates on the Summit, including the agenda please visit: https://www.doi.gov/tribalbroadband. For any additional questions regarding the Summit please email rsvp@bia.gov.

We hope to see you in DC!

August 7, 2019

CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS

NOW OPEN

Join 

Assistant Secretary — Indian Affairs Tara Sweeney 

for a virtual information session to learn more about opportunities for participation

Friday,  August 9, 2019

11:00 AM ET

RSVP to RSVP@BIA.GOV

 

DEADLINES

August 20 Deadline for full presentation submission
August 30 Notification of acceptance
September 13  Final presentation submission
 

MAIN TOPICS

Planning & Implementation

Identifying needs, setting goals, creating strategies, developing a plan and leveraging data to maximize the short and long-term educational, cultural and economic benefits of connectivity.
 

Funding Broadband 

Identifying sources of Federal, private, and other programs and funding sources, and leveraging these and community assets to best address strategic goals and community needs.
 

Connectivity Solutions

Exploring the various connectivity options available and identifying possible solutions to bring broadband to your unique community. 
 

Community Engagement & Partnerships

Building and leveraging partnerships with both public and private entities to support connectivity and maximize the positive impacts of broadband access.
 

Social & Economic Well-Being

Leveraging technology to improve health care outcomes, enhance economic development, increase community engagement and expand educational opportunity.
 

Protecting & Preserving Culture

Using digital platforms to protect and preserve culture and language, support sovereignty, history, and enhance awareness, and access to cultural materials.
 
 

SELECTION CRITERIA

Organization should have demonstrated history of success:
  • expanding broadband access,
  • funding/financing broadband infrastructure, or
  • leveraging broadband for social and economic well-being or cultural preservation
in American Indian, Alaska Native, and/or Native Hawaiian communities, schools, or libraries.
 
Summit organizers are looking for representation across the telecommunications ecosystem – we encourage submissions from small, medium and large enterprises.
 
Preference may be given to proposals that include content from tribal partner(s).
 

HOW TO SUBMIT

• Provide a 1-page summary of your presentation proposal to rsvp@bia.gov by 5:00 PM ET on Tuesday, August 20, 2019.
• The summary should indicate which main topic you are addressing, describe the presentation content and format (e.g., slide deck, panel discussion, etc.), the name and title of any speakers.
• Please attach any prepared supporting materials, such as slide decks, brochures, etc., that would accompany the presentation and/or better help Summit organizers assess your proposal.
 
 

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