Native American Advocates Discuss Barriers to Broadband Before the Senate

A bevy of witnesses elucidated the longstanding challenges Native American communities face in overcoming the digital divide before the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs on January 12, calling attention to the inadequate basic telecommunications infrastructure. Hosted by Chairman Sen Brian Schatz (D-HI and Vice Chairman Sen Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), the discussion centered on establishing stronger broadband access in Tribal communities across the US. Witnesses described common barriers Native American communities face. Some of the issues that transcended tribes included problems accessing distance learning, remote work, emergency services, and telehealth resources. Matthew Rantanen, the co-chair of the Technology Task Force within the National Congress of American Indians, said that an initial lack of broadband access precluded scores of tribes from applying for federal grants. A critical component of closing the digital divide within Native American communities is the coordination between state and Tribal governments. Hallie Bissett, the executive director of the Alaska Native Village Corporation Association, said that government entities will also have to work with private landowners to expedite permitting processes for broadband construction projects.