Two Row Times, February 2, 2021

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THE SPIRIT OF ALL NATIONS WEDNESDAY February 3, 2021 | www.tworowtimes.com | 519-900-5535 | Grand River Territory | FREE

Six Nations elected council working to bring fibre optic Internet to whole community DONNA DURIC

donna@tworowtimes.com

TWO ROW TIMES

519-445-0088

With the construction of new Internet towers and fibre optic technology expected to be complete by 2023, Six Nations is expected to have high-speed Internet coverage by next year. Six Nations of the Grand River Elected Council announced the construction of new towers last week, in partnership with Xplornet and Rogers to bring fibre optic connectivity to the reserve. "The Six Nations Connectivity/Broadband Task Force Mandate is to design a (multi-phase) digital community network that serves the needs of, and brings benefit to, Six Nations of the Grand River," SNGR said in a statement. "Our guiding principles, collectively, ensure no home or business will lack the opportunity to subscribe to reliable affordable internet services." Covid-19 and the physical distancing that came with it has resulted in an increased use of Internet services by both Six Nations students and white collar professionals learning and working from

home. SNGR said the community's current Internet capabilities cannot support the increased demand. There are three Internet towers in the community. Three more will be constructed by this spring. "With the onset of COVID the existing infrastructure and technology within our community has been severely stressed and is no longer capable of supporting this increased demand. This is why the project to construct new towers was commissioned and is also being supported by fibre-to-the-home installations going forward." SNGR has partnered with telecommunications giant Rogers to complete the community-wide fibre optic expansion project. "If successful, this project will provide fibre optic connectivity service to all households and businesses." The new towers are expected to go up this spring, with the fibre optic high speed project expected to be complete sometime in the 2023 fiscal year. Jeff Thomas, owner of First Nations Cable and current provider of Internet to about 400 customers on the reserve, said he's disappointed

elected council is inviting Rogers onto the territory for the high speed network operation. "We have a license for this area," he said. "They're trying to push me out of the area I guess. Once the license is granted they issue an area for you." He said any company that does not hold that license is not permitted to operate in that area. "This is in our licensed area of our CRTC license," he said. "Rogers should not be allowed in our area." He said he is disappointed council is not adhering to its "Shop Local, Shop Native" slogan and that he's had community members calling to support him. Thomas said he contacted Six Nations of the Grand River Elected Council and the Six Nations Economic Development Corporation to discuss his concerns but they fell on deaf ears. He said he plans to fight Rogers from being allowed to operate on the territory. "I can't stop the towers but I can stop Rogers," he said. "I'm prepared to go to the CRTC over this." Six Nations Elected Council Communications Officer Candace Lickers did not return calls for council comment on Thomas's concerns by press time

Man dies in crash STAFF REPORT

editor@tworowtimes.com

TWO ROW TIMES

SIX NATIONS — Police say a man has died after a two vehicle crash early Thursday evening. First responders attended the crash at Third Line and Tuscarora Road just before 6:00 p.m.. Police say a black 2015 Chevrolet pick up truck and a grey 2017 Kia Forte were involved, both vehicles sustained major damage travelling eastbound. The Kia appeared to have been travelling at a high rate of speed north-

bound, entered the intersection and struck the Chevrolet pick up truck that had pulled away from the four way stop. The female in the pick up truck, which included children, required medical attention for injuries. Police confirmed the male driver of the Kia died due to his injuries. His name was withheld pending notification of next of kin. If any community members have any information regarding this fatal collision they are asked to contact the Six nations Police service at 519-4452811.

Eden Robinson's final 'Trickster' book STAFF REPORT

editor@tworowtimes.com

TWO ROW TIMES

Eden Robinson is giving readers in B.C. First Nations communities a preview of the final book in her ``Trickster'' trilogy. Robinson wrote in a Facebook post that she's sent advance copies of ``Return of the Trickster'' to public libraries near Kitamaat Village, Kitimat and Terrace. Robinson says the sneak peek is her way of saying thank you for all of

the support she's received. ``Return of the Trickster'' rounds out Robinson's ``Trickster'' series following an Indigenous teenager from Kitimat, B.C. who discovers he has magical powers passed down through generations. The story has been adapted into a CBC series that debuted in October. The show's co-creator Michelle Latimer has resigned for the second season after concerns were raised about the accuracy of her claimed Indigenous ancestry. PM42686517


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