Connectivity Agenda

Joseph Tokwiro Norton
Chief
Mohawk Council of Kahnawake
with Skahionwi:io Owen Mayo
Mohawk Nation
Kahnawake

Plan of Action - Chapter 16
 Indigenous Peoples

In the Third Summit of the Americas in Quebec City, the leaders of the hemisphere adopted the decision that information and communications technology is key to connecting la gran familia - the citizens of the Americas - and is a tool for the promotion of common values and collective objectives.

They committed to reduce the digital, communications and information gaps between the national average and Indigenous Peoples and communities, through relevant connectivity and communications programs and projects that provide services in the fields of political, economic and social development, including the use of Indigenous Peoples' information networks.

The process is taking shape through a variety of activities, some of which are driven by a dynamic group of Indigenous entrepreneurs, aboriginal lawyers, environmentalists, practitioners of GIS and communications technologies.

According to Chief Joseph Norton, Grand Chief from the Kahnawake Mohawk Council, Mohawk Internet Technologies in Canada is committed to helping people get access. In referring to the Internet as the "eighth continent", at the WSIS Global Forum in Geneva, he called attention to "ICTs' capacity as a tool for traditional learning and new vehicle for Indigenous Peoples' communication with each other".

He recommended that "Indigenous Peoples should consider launching an Indigenous Peoples' satellite of their own".
 

Mohawk Internet Technologies