Senate Committee on Indian Affairs

Roundtable discussion on “Closing the Digital Divide in Native Communities through Infrastructure Investment”

Wednesday, January 12 2022 – 02:30 PM

Location: Dirksen

Room Number: 628

Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, led a roundtable discussion titled “Closing the Digital Divide in Native Communities through Infrastructure Investment” to hear from Tribal leaders and Native-serving organizations on what more Congress can do to get Native communities connected.

In his opening statement, Schatz explained how strong federal investment in broadband infrastructure is helping Native communities close the digital divide.

“When it comes to … accessing the internet to bridge the digital divide, Native communities face specific challenges. High cost, especially remoteness, inadequate basic infrastructure, and the high cost of hardware continues to make this divide tougher in Native communities than really any other place,” said Chairman Schatz.

“That’s why Congress’s recent authorization sending billions of dollars to help Native communities invest in broadband infrastructure is simply a game changer,” said Schatz. “But we’ve got to get this right, and that’s why we want to hear from all of you.”

PANEL 1

The Honorable Manuel Heart

Chairman

Ute Mountain Ute Tribe

Towaoc, Colorado

The Honorable William Smith

Alaska Area Representative & Board Member

National Indian Health Board

Valdez, Alaska

Walter W. Haase, P.E.

General Manager

Navajo Tribal Utility Authority

Fort Defiance, Arizona

Carrie L. Billy

President & Chief Executive Officer

American Indian Higher Education Consortium

Alexandria, Virginia

Matthew Rantanen

Co-Chair, Subcommittee Technology & Telecommunications

National Congress of American Indians

Washington, DC

Donovan Kealoha

Co-Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Purple Mai‘a Foundation

‘Aiea, Hawaii

Hallie Bisset

Executive Director

Alaska Native Village Corporation Association

Anchorage, Alaska

Committee Notice:

https://www.indian.senate.gov/hearing/roundtable-discussion-closing-digital-divide-native-communities-through-infrastructure