MEADOW LAKE – Meadow Lake Tribal Council Resource Development Inc. (MLTC RDI) and Wood River Controls (WRC) have partnered to launch Beaver River Broadband (BRB), a new majority Indigenous-owned internet service provider.
Through a partnership with SaskTel focused on delivering improved internet services to underserved areas across Saskatchewan, BRB will bring improved high-speed internet access to Saskatchewan First Nation and rural communities, according to a press release.
“At SaskTel, we recognize that Saskatchewan’s strong and diversified broadband sector has the tools, resources and innovation needed to empower communities of all sizes to carve their own path to better connectivity and we are proud to continue growing our partnership program to bring more transformative projects to fruition,” said Doug Burnett, SaskTel president and CEO.
“This partnership with Beaver River Broadband is a natural next step in ensuring SaskTel continues to deliver on our commitment to support a more connected Saskatchewan.”
BRB works with communities to build specialized fixed-wireless solutions for broadband access. Through SaskTel’s Rural Broadband Partnership Program (RBPP), BRB will use portions of the Crown corporations’ network to deliver internet connections to more Indigenous and rural households. This allows BRB to fill current gaps in service in a timely manner and to scale the level of service to meet each location’s specific needs, the release states.
“Beaver River Broadband strives to lead the way in connecting more communities in all corners of the province through a network that not only employs industry-leading equipment and delivers reliable service, but also minimizes its ecological footprint by harnessing the grid alongside wind and solar energy. Wood River Controls is proud to partner with MLTC RDI on this enterprise,” said John Degraauw, CEO of Wood River Controls.
This new enterprise will also increase Indigenous participation in the economy, with financial benefits returned to the nine Nations under the MLTC, and lead to job creation in communities where service is being deployed. BRB will provide on-the-job training for community members with longer-term opportunities for people to stay on as the company expands service to other locations.
“This new enterprise represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for Indigenous ownership and economic participation by the nine MLTC First Nations in the internet service provider industry,” said MLTC Tribal Chief Richard Ben.
BRB is launching with service to five communities, beginning with the Cowessess First Nation this fall, followed by Ministikwan Lake Cree Nation, Eagles Lake, Moudy Lake and Birch Narrows Dene Nation. BRB will then expand services to more communities as it’s able, including to the nine member Nations of the MLTC.
First announced last fall, SaskTel’s RBPP has already been used to bring improved broadband service to a number of underserved Indigenous communities in the province, including the Peepeekis Cree Nation and Muscowpetung Saulteaux First Nation.
