Welcome to the second NCAI Digital Divide Tribal Leader's meeting. I look forward to a productive session that will allow us to continue our exploration of technology and Indian Country that we began last November in St. Paul.

Today's meeting will focus on five components that form the basis of our efforts to bridge the technology gap:

From 12:45 to 2:00, experts will provide us with an overview of the policy issues in each of these areas. Following a 15-minute break, we will divide up into in-depth discussion groups with the panelists. Please feel free to attend the discussion group which best matches you area of interest, or to move between them. Discussion groups will meet until 3:30, at which point we will reconvene for a 30-minute wrap-up and summary.

Before we begin the panels, I would like to make a few remarks. Some policymakers have begun to question the very existence of a Digital Divide. Let me be very clear. No matter what label you want to put on it, there exists a major gap between the technology Ahaves@ and Ahave-nots@ in this nation.

Without access to technology, Indian Country cannot participate fully in the emerging digital economy or improve the delivery of health and educational services.

However, access is merely one of many significant issues that must be addressed if the digital divide is to be bridged. NCAI recognizes the fact that with access comes the responsibility of making technology relevant to Native cultural, social, political, and economic needs.

This requires increased levels of education and training, technological specialization, and community-based leadership. Tribes must do more than just incorporate technology into their communities. We must make technology fit the image of our culture, rather than make our culture fit the image of technology.

Last year, NCAI received a grant from the AOL-Time Warner Foundation to establish a Digital Divide Task Force.

The Task Force has engaged tribal leaders throughout the country to develop and support policies that promote equal access to advanced telecommunications and information technology by Indian Nations.

We are promoting partnerships among tribal governments, tribal organizations, and non-tribal entities in a joint effort to close the digital divide.

Finally, we are maintaining an Internet clearinghouse that provides a wide range of information on technology in Indian Country. Our Internet site can be found at www.indiantech.org.

Last November, the Task Force held its first Tribal Leaders Digital Divide Summit in conjunction with NCAI=s annual meeting.

Approximately 70 people - representing tribal governments, tribal and non-Indian telecommunications companies, federal agencies, and non-profit organizations - attended the four-hour meeting.

A copy of the Summit report is included in your handout packet. For those of you who were not in Minneapolis, I would like to outline some of the concerns raised by tribal leaders during the meeting.

On the fundamental issue of access, the following issues surfaced:

• The high cost of telecommunications must be addressed;
• There should be greater incentives for businesses to provide services in Indian Country and additional opportunities for tribal-business partnerships;
• Service quality must be improved;
• The Federal Communications Commission should allow tribes to determine income eligibility for subsidized telephone services; and,
• The barriers to access the broadcast spectrum should be lowered, and tribes should have a portion of the spectrum reserved for their use.

On the issue of technology and economic development, participants supported the following:

• Development of feasibility studies for tribal technology projects, and resource lists of business and contracting opportunities;
• Increased technical assistance funding;
• Model programs and success stories; and
• Creation of basic checklists on the steps needed for tribes to become connected to technology.

With respect to sovereignty, a digital divide issue unique to Indian Country, the following recommendations were made:

• The ownership of cultural content on the internet should be examined, as should the ownership of airspace over reservation lands;
• Develop tribal codes to fine Apretenders@ who use tribal names and insignia without permission;
• Establish a website that shows the legal and political infrastructure needed to protect sovereignty with respect to telecommunications;
• The FCC should honor the government-to-government relationship by recognizing tribal telephone companies.

Finally, participants began to explore issues surrounding content. The following recommendations surfaced.

Indian Country stands at a technological crossroads. If we address the fundamental issues surrounding the digital divide and create the tools for tribal governments to put in place their own technology plans, we can help to create many economic development, education, and health care opportunities where none currently exist. However, if we fail to advocate for tribally-centered policies that will have a real impact on closing the current technology gap, then we could very well lose out on having a real role in determining if and how technology will affect our communities.

Finally, I would like to extend my thanks to the AOL-Time Warner Foundation for assisting NCAI. I look forward to a successful meeting.