Choctaw Nation case study
- Case
- The Choctaw Nation is an American Indian territory covering about 6,952,960 acres, in southeastern Oklahoma with a population of 223,279. It is the third-largest federally recognized tribe in the United States and the second-largest Indian reservation in the area after the Navajo.
- The Choctaw nation has implemented broadband within their communities, but with over 275,000 low-income households who are unable to access the internet their goal was expanded
- Funding/ Support
- ConnectHome: launching in the Choctaw Nation—and will initially reach low-income households—and some 200,000 children—with the ability to access the Internet at home.
- Received additional $52,700 for service costs and router fees to living facilities in the affordable homes program
- Due to positive results with ConnectHome, the Choctaw Nation was selected as one of the pioneer sites for the initiative, with Choctaws living in rural HUD housing being the first in the nation to receive this help.
- The Choctaw Nation has been awarded a $2,987,850 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to build broadband internet infrastructure in Le Flore County.
- ConnectHome: launching in the Choctaw Nation—and will initially reach low-income households—and some 200,000 children—with the ability to access the Internet at home.
- Strategies for success for this project
- Determine Purposes For BroadBand
- Build social media presence, share news and information as quickly and accurately as possible.
- Building an online communications team also works diligently to keep the website up to date and share information through text and email alert systems.
- Access to video appointments for The Choctaw Nation Virtual Medical Visit service enables healthcare access for patients not able to travel to the provider for specific non-life-threatening injuries and illnesses.
- The Choctaw Nation believes in living out the Chahta spirit through faith, family, and culture. They believe it is their responsibility to ensure that every child has every conceivable opportunity to be successful and make a positive impact on the world. By partnering with public and private institutions they are working to make this dream a reality.
- Understand the Land
- While cables run through the towns, it still does not reach individual residences. Natives will have to come into town to use their computers at school or the library.
- Due to terrain,(mountains and valleys) towers would need to be placed at the top of each hill to gain full Wifi access
- While cables run through the towns, it still does not reach individual residences. Natives will have to come into town to use their computers at school or the library.
- Determine Purposes For BroadBand
Key Themes: Roadblock - Education - Empathy - Motivation - Emergency Management - Marketing - Engagement
Issues: low income community - healthcare - Terrain
Strategies: Purposefulness
Forms of Access: every family
Reference: https://www.choctawnation.com/news-events/press-media/wiring-choctaw-nation