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NDIA Launches New Program to Recognize Indigenous Digital Inclusion Initiatives
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Last week, the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) announced a new initiative, Seven Star Communities, to highlight the excellent work being done by Native communities to “strengthen self-determination and close the digital divide through sustainable digital inclusion work.”
Over the past few years, ILSR has documented the efforts of record numbers of Native nations to take control of their own digital futures by launching Tribally-owned and controlled broadband projects.
But infrastructure is only part of the story of how Tribes are closing the digital divide in Indian Country. Increasingly, Native nations are also advancing digital inclusion priorities and programs that foreground self-determination and sovereignty.
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Seven Star Communities aims to recognize and amplify these digital equity initiatives while supporting the growth of a vibrant community of Indigenous digital equity practitioners. The initiative was developed in partnership with AMERIND Critical Infrastructure, a Tribally-owned company that supports Tribal broadband deployment, and informed by the expertise of a group of advisors and mentors active in Tribal broadband and digital equity.
Felix McGowan, Director of AMERIND Critical Infrastructure, notes that the initiative recognizes “Native communities who are adapting to the new digital environment. They have been adapting digital inclusion efforts in innovative ways and practicing effective, sustainable self-governance.”
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The program honors the diversity of investments and commitments made by Native entities by awarding points for a range of activities including community engagement; digital equity planning; Tribal government policies advancing digital sovereignty and digital equity or committing resources to the work; digital inclusion programming designed by and for the Tribal community; engagement with coalitions; and efforts to document and tell the community’s connectivity story.
Potential applicants can see the full scoring criteria here.
NDIA writes that communities and entities recognized as Seven Star Communities can “serve as models of excellence for sustainable connectivity solutions that address the educational, health, economic, cultural, and social needs of their Tribal community.”
By collecting and disseminating information about innovative and effective digital inclusion work led by Tribal communities, the program will also become a “knowledge sharing resource” for practitioners – a hub for resources, best practices, and insights. This will strengthen the community of practice and inspire continued commitment and creativity among Tribal governments and digital equity champions.
Describing the new program to ILSR, Davida Delmar, Digital Inclusion Manager with AMERIND and NDIA, emphasized its significance for long-time Tribal digital equity advocates and newcomers alike.
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“I hope the Seven Star Communities program will help communities connect their existing work in education, workforce development, broadband, and governance to how they’re working to close the digital divide,” she said, adding “the program will help communities find other ways we can institute digital equity in how we advocate, plan, strategize, and provide impactful programs to our Native communities.”
Eligible applicants include federal or state recognized Tribal governments or political subdivisions of a Tribal/Indigenous government, a Tribal organization, or entities that serve Tribes, including Tribal nonprofits or for-profit organizations owned by the Tribe and place-based organizations not located on Tribal lands serving Tribal communities.
ILSR, which is currently helping to coordinate the 15th Tribal Broadband Bootcamp being hosted by the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians in Watersmeet, Michigan, is excited to see the variety of initiatives recognized by the Seven Star Communities program. We expect it will provide invaluable insight as to how Native communities’ are closing the digital divide.
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