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PENTICTON – The Province is investing $50,000 to extend high-speed Internet from the City of Penticton to the En'owkin Educational Centre, bringing the world to the fingertips of local First Nations, Penticton-Okanagan Valley MLA Bill Barisoff and Management Services Minister Joyce Murray announced today.
“This project is an exciting example of how our government is working with communities and First Nations to bring technology that will improve and strengthen our communities, schools and families,” said Barisoff. “High-speed Internet is an incredible resource that will bring many new opportunities to the Okanagan Nation Alliance Bands, and the entire Okanagan Valley.”
The investment from the Province will help the City of Penticton extend its fibre-optic network to the En'owkin Educational Centre, west of the city. Established in 1981 by seven bands that form the Okanagan Nation Alliance, the En'owkin Centre is a First Nations training centre providing aboriginal people with culturally sensitive, community-based education programs. The Centre is located on the Penticton Indian Reserve.
“It is vital that First Nations enjoy the same opportunities as all British Columbians and extending high-speed Internet access to the En'owkin Educational Centre helps do that,” said Murray, minister responsible for NetWork BC and bridging the digital divide. “From Vancouver to Vanderhoof, from Atlin to Abbotsford, we are bridging the digital divide.”
As part of the Province’s New Era commitment to bridge the digital divide, Premier Gordon Campbell announced in February that government would consolidate its Internet, telephone and voice mail networks with those of other public sector organizations including health authorities and school districts, and provide high-speed broadband Internet access points in 173 communities, including 100 First Nation communities.
This year 154 schools will be upgraded to high-speed Internet access. Moreover, broadband access points will be opened up in 72 communities throughout the Provincial Learning Network, providing local entrepreneurs with the business opportunity to bridge the last mile to local homes and businesses. The remaining communities will be connected to the broadband network by the end of 2006.
NetWork BC is bringing high-speed Internet access points to the communities that lack broadband. It will then be up to the communities themselves to develop the “last mile” link that connects homes and businesses to this high-speed pipe. NetWork BC is also working with community-based organizations to offer workshops on how to build sustainable local access networks.
For more information, visit the NetWork BC website at www.network.gov.bc.ca
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