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