Division of Indian Affairs: Dustin Jansen

○ Supporting local community development is critical to our ability to sustain innovation and growth. Locally elected officials and other community volunteers are shaping the direction of where our communities are going and need support to deploy strategic principles that will lead to thriving communities. ○ In partnership with the Utah Association of Counties and the Governor’s Office of Economic Development we are developing the Utah Rural Leaders Academy that will facilitate powerful exercises and instruction designed to assist emerging and established leaders in Utah’s rural communities. The objective of the Academy is to equip leaders with administrative and leadership skills through relevant learning activities and educational programming. ○ In partnership with community founders we are building Iron Leaders Academy that will facilitate powerful exercises and enlightening interactions to assist emerging and established leaders in becoming changemakers. By the end of the program, members will have foundational knowledge and leadership capabilities to affect change while enjoying an expanded circle of influence.

Utah Division of Indian Affairs (UDIA), in working with the rural areas of Utah as they pertain to Native American Tribes, and in its work with the State COVID-19 Multicultural Task Force, has seen a need to develop digital equity among the rural areas of Utah. Meaning (1) access to the internet, (2) access to devices that allow internet access, and (3) digital literacy (knowledge on how to use digital resources).

● Challenges

○ The internet has become a major player in communication. Rural area residents who do not have access to the internet are at a disadvantage in many ways.

■ Economically

● With the extension of teleworking becoming more of a reality, employees need access to the internet to effectively participate in their employment, ● Job postings and the submission of job applications are faster and more efficient through online services. Submitting hardcopy applications puts potential employees at a disadvantage, and many small business loans during pandemic times require application through the internet.

■ Educationally

● K-12 students who live long distances from their schools during the pandemic were at a disadvantage from accessing their work and turning in their work in an effective manner, K-12 schools could have saved more money by having students access their homework through the internet rather than delivering hardcopy to each household, or having parents drive long distances to their schools. In one case, Ibapah students driving to school to pick up homework drive a 120-mile round trip to their schools in Wendover, Utah. ● College-Aged Students: College and University students who had classes shift to online formats and had to return to their rural homes could not complete their semesters effectively because they did not have access to online services to receive or submit work.

○ Lack of Effective Delivery of Information

■ Financial opportunities are not delivered: Submitting hardcopy applications puts potential employees at a disadvantage, and many small business loans during pandemic times require application through the internet. ■ Telehealth: health information is not being delivered. Especially in rural areas where hospitals are located far away and ambulance services must travel extended distances.