The chief of the Little Red River Cree Nation, 750 kilometres north of Edmonton, made a two-day journey to Calgary to learn that high-speed internet will be provided to the three First Nations communities he represents. Bains said $22 million will be allocated to bring high-speed internet to 39 rural and remote communities in southern and northern Alberta. The Little Red River Cree Nation includes the communities of Fox Lake, where the majority of 5,500 band members live, John D’Or Prairie and Garden River, which is within Wood Buffalo National Park. “It’s been a huge disadvantage and this will look after that.”The funding comes from a federal program which aims to upgrade internet speeds to underserved communities. This investment will benefit five Indigenous communities as well that are particularly challenged by geography in small and remote populations,” said Bains.

Source: National Post March 15, 2018 18:00 UTC