native americans

The FCC, in an unprecedented step, hosted the first Native Nations Day under the leadership of Geoffrey Blackwell and his staff from the new FCC Office of Native Affairs and Policy.

The Office was established last year after Native Nations articulated the need for such an office to coordinate Nation-to-Nation consultation on communication and telecommunication regulatory items specific to the 565 American Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages.

The Commission took the first steps towards meaningful consultation by announcing the appointment of 19 elected tribal leaders and tribal members to the Native Nations Broadband Task Force. Among those named was Matthew Rantanen, member of Native Public Media’s Board and Director of the Southern California Tribal Digital Village.

ZeroDivide Receives Stimulus Funding to Foster New Generation of Technology Adopters in Underserved Youth and Tribal Communities

ZeroDivide was awarded $2,070,399 in two grants from the U.S. Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). Vice-President Joe Biden announced the grants as part of 94 Recovery Act investments in federal broadband projects in 37 states.

Click on the following radio interviews to hear ZeroDivide's Chief Community Investment Officer Laura Efurd comment on what the funds mean for communities:

KQED's radio broadcast on California Broadband Projects Get Stimulus Dollars 

KPLU's report on Stimulus Money Funds Film Classes for Girls