{"id":327,"date":"2025-03-04T15:14:12","date_gmt":"2025-03-04T23:14:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/?page_id=327"},"modified":"2026-04-04T11:14:33","modified_gmt":"2026-04-04T19:14:33","slug":"about","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/index.php\/about\/","title":{"rendered":"About Us"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"327\" class=\"elementor elementor-327\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8880393 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"8880393\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4c9d04c e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"4c9d04c\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0742fda elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"0742fda\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><a href=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/\">National Indigenous \nConnectivity Inc. <\/a><\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fb08dcf e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"fb08dcf\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3cb877f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"3cb877f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" src=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Gold3.1-150x150.png\" class=\"attachment-thumbnail size-thumbnail wp-image-401\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Gold3.1-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Gold3.1-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Gold3.1.png 500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5f40607 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"5f40607\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Bridging the Digital Divide<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-30c2343 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"30c2343\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f592022 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f592022\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">About NICI<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9212c49 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9212c49\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The <b>National Indigenous Connectivity Initiative (NICI)<\/b><span style=\"color: var( --e-global-color-secondary );\">\u00a0works alongside First Nations, governments, and industry partners to ensure equitable access to broadband and spectrum, empowering communities to lead in the digital age.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-be6229d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"be6229d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"MsoNormal\">We are actively partnering with industry, stakeholders, and Rights and Title holders in:<\/p>\n<ul style=\"margin-top: 0cm;\" type=\"disc\">\n<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><b>Advocating for Digital Equity<\/b> \u2013 Ensuring policy and funding decisions prioritize Indigenous connectivity.<\/li>\n<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><b>Securing Spectrum for First Nations<\/b> \u2013 Supporting community control over telecommunications infrastructure.<\/li>\n<li class=\"MsoNormal\"><b>Empowering Communities<\/b> \u2013 Providing tools, resources, and partnerships to build sustainable digital solutions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eb4c841 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"eb4c841\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"MsoNormal\">At NICI, we believe that every First Nation deserves the opportunity to thrive in the digital age. Together, we can close the connectivity gap and build a stronger, more connected future for all.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-619fd31 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"619fd31\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-61f9161 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"61f9161\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9b91eff elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9b91eff\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Message from the CEO<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3c8712d elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"3c8712d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a3a9080 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a3a9080\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4><strong>A message from <a href=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/index.php\/national-indigenous-connectivity-inc-2\/#Leoni\">NICI CEO, Leoni Rivers,<\/a> along with a message on <em>Common Interests: Advancing Connectivity for First Nations Communities<\/em> and a call to action to <a href=\"https:\/\/docs.google.com\/forms\/d\/e\/1FAIpQLSe1qefTtjM6h57a2lHRuUf1R3-TLIoMkUiP7o3SA59RHnEyeQ\/viewform\">complete a survey<\/a>.\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-de88806 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"de88806\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e7da83b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e7da83b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><em>The National Indigenous Connectivity Inc<strong>.,<\/strong><\/em> (NICI), a 100% Indigenous owned communications technology company is operated out of its Head Office in Ottawa, Ontario and managed in its satellite office in Calgary, Alberta. It is an advocacy organization promoting access to high-speed internet\/spectrum to remote and rural First Nations communities across Turtle Island, (Canada). This vision and mission statement reflects the present lack of connectivity that\u2019s critically needed for all First Nations situated in Canada.<\/p><p>The NICI was created out of common- interests among Canada\u2019s First Nations communities for a strong and effective collective advocacy organization to support access to high-speed internet for remote and rural First Nations communities. Common interests or values such as respect, diversity, justice, and the sovereignty of all First Nations supporting the work of the NICI are foundational.\u00a0<\/p><p>The NICI builds, develops, and maintains strong and productive networks and relationships with international, national, regional and local community First Nations leaders, technical connectivity specialists, feeder organizations, and interested communities, as well as relationships with government officials (federal, provincial, territorial and municipal).<\/p><p>Over the past year, the NICI has participated in a variety of forums (presentations, panel discussions, conversations, and meetings) related to the Indigenous spectrum sector issues and matters, promoting the interests of the remote and rural First Nation communities, while enhancing the NICI\u2019s profile, and improving public awareness and understanding.<\/p><p>Further, I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the support we have received from Assembly of First Nations (AFN), the 65 First Nations across Canada who openly expressed support for the NICI advocacy role, ALAR Strategy Group and Advanced Interactive Canada Inc. throughout the past year. As we launch into the 2025 Action Plan, NICI\u2019s collective will continue to break down challenges that the federal government throws our way. We will campaign to share our vision and message to all First Nations across Turtle Island.<\/p><h4>Action Plan 2025 &#8211; 2027<\/h4><ul><li>As per AFN Resolution #003 April, 2022 on NICI, promote advocacy for all remote and rural First Nations to have access to high-speed internet by <em>2029<\/em><\/li><li>Recruit Indigenous Leadership to replace outgoing NICI BoD Members <em>2025<\/em><\/li><li>Identify members to sit on NICI Sub-Committees: Governance Committee and Technical Experts Working Committee<em>\u00a02025<\/em><\/li><li>Secure Partnerships with potential funders through Reconciliation Agreements <em>2024-2025<\/em><\/li><li>Develop a First Nation Technology Directory to promote Indigenous Businesses <em>2025-2026<\/em><\/li><li>Update the NICI Website <em>2025<\/em><\/li><li>Appointment to the International Spectrum Policy Working Group Committee <em>2025-2029<\/em> (Canada, Mexico and New Zealand)<\/li><\/ul><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>Truly, I am optimistic that we will successfully partner with major funders that have similar initiatives, vision and values as the NICI. While we have these challenges in connectivity and access to high-speed internet, we have potential partners who can innovate and create space for First Nations.<\/p><p>Also, I am encouraged that as First Peoples of Canada, through our First Nations, we will succeed in addressing our connectivity needs, big <em>or<\/em> small, in rural and remote communities.<\/p><p>We are revamping the NICI website this year to include an opportunity for all First Nations wanting more information. I encourage open feedback, if you have a question or inquiry to please fill out a short <a href=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/index.php\/connect\/\">inquiry note<\/a> with your contact information that includes your name, organization, email, telephone number, and a brief message with the nature of your challenge or question. The NICI general mailbox will sort details and reroute to appropriate individual within a timely manner. All the best to you and yours in 2025!<\/p><p>Respectfully,<\/p><p><strong><em>Leoni Rivers, CEO, NICI\u00a0 <br \/><\/em><\/strong><a href=\"mailto:leoni@nic-inc.ca\"><em>leoni@nic-inc.ca<\/em><\/a> <em>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-787d3a1 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"787d3a1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f899a80 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"f899a80\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Common Interests: <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ec73585 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"ec73585\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Advancing Connectivity for First Nations Communities<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fef902f elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"fef902f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ffce11c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ffce11c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Currently, NICI has invited all Turtle Island First Nations to provide relevant and current information on Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada&#8217;s (ISED) call for feedback on their UHF Broadband Spectrum Policy Window through a survey.<\/p><p>Several First Nation experts working in the spectrum policy space have responded through written submissions on the subject of changes to the Canada\u2019s Indigenous Spectrum Policy. This was conducted through ISED\u2019s call and extended second call date over the past 16 months.<\/p><p>Recently, ISED announced that the department will be sharing these results of their findings in the coming months through Indigenous Connectivity Inc&#8217;s conferences. For example, in Nanaimo BC at the Grand Hotel on March 18, 2025 ISED will share at the one-day Indigenous Connectivity Inc (ICI) Summit.<\/p><p>Once again, in Lummi Native American Tribe, ISED will present its findings in May 2025 which has been announced on the ICI Website.<\/p><p>For your easy reference and review please read more on the National Indigenous Connectivity Inc. submission on ISED\u2019s invitation to share on the current changes to the Indigenous Spectrum Policy window.<\/p><h4><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/ised-isde.canada.ca\/site\/spectrum-management-telecommunications\/en\/learn-more\/key-documents\/consultations\/comments-received-spb-002-24-improving-indigenous-access-spectrum-draft-indigenous-priority-window\">View the NICI submission<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dec7385 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"dec7385\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-77810d3 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"77810d3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-842d2fd elementor-widget elementor-widget-menu-anchor\" data-id=\"842d2fd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"menu-anchor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-menu-anchor\" id=\"current-affairs\"><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8cd9bcd elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"8cd9bcd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Current Affairs <\/span><\/i><\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-db4e655 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"db4e655\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-60a37c2 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"60a37c2\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-74610e4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"74610e4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4>The National Indigenous Connectivity Inc. (NICI) brought together leaders and communities for<\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-22bb8ec elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"22bb8ec\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"> the National Indigenous Connectivity Conference <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-817493e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"817493e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4>in Tsuut\u2019ina Nation, Calgary, Alberta on February 26\u201327, 2026.<\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d277d24 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d277d24\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4>\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/index.php\/national-indigenous-connectivity-conference\/#NICConferenceVideo\">View &#8211; National Indigenous Connectivity Conference page<\/a> &#8211; Welcome videos featuring <strong>National Chief Cindy Woodhouse<\/strong> (Assembly of First Nations), the <strong>Honourable Minister Buckley Belanger<\/strong>, Secretary of State for Rural Development and the <strong>Honourable Minister Nate Glubish<\/strong>, Minister of Technology and Innovation, Government of Alberta<\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-65ac8cd e-grid e-con-full e-con e-child\" data-id=\"65ac8cd\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ec6e542 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"ec6e542\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1786-768x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1087\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1786-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1786-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1786-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1786-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1786-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c53c948 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"c53c948\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1773-768x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1070\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1773-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1773-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1773-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1773-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1773-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-74e30e7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"74e30e7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1771-768x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1069\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1771-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1771-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1771-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1771-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1771-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8779580 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"8779580\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1769-768x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1068\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1769-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1769-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1769-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1769-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1769-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6729f07 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"6729f07\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1766-768x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1067\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1766-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1766-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1766-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1766-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1766-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2c1b939 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"2c1b939\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image000000-768x1024.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1063\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image000000-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image000000-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image000000-1152x1536.jpeg 1152w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image000000.jpeg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-561f037 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"561f037\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1805-1024x768.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1094\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1805-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1805-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1805-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1805-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1805-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e0cb9ea elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e0cb9ea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1806-1024x768.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1093\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1806-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1806-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1806-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1806-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1806-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-36f943d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"36f943d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1790-1024x768.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1086\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1790-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1790-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1790-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1790-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1790-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9ec633d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"9ec633d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1792-2-1024x768.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1085\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1792-2-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1792-2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1792-2-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1792-2-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-268c8c3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"268c8c3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1821-1024x768.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1091\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1821-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1821-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1821-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1821-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1821-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9eb0aee elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"9eb0aee\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1802-1024x768.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1080\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1802-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1802-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1802-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1802-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1802-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0df5bb8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"0df5bb8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1797-768x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1081\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1797-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1797-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1797-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1797-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1797-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fcb44d5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"fcb44d5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1810-1024x768.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1092\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1810-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1810-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1810-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1810-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1810-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dedf668 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"dedf668\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1780-768x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1078\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1780-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1780-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1780-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1780-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1780-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8c80651 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"8c80651\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1778-768x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1077\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1778-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1778-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1778-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1778-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1778-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e2c3a18 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e2c3a18\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1776-768x1024.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-1079\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1776-768x1024.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1776-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1776-1152x1536.jpg 1152w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1776-1536x2048.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/IMG_1776-scaled.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-17494fc e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"17494fc\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a2eb766 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a2eb766\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4>NICI CEO 2024-2025 Year-End Report<\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b893d66 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b893d66\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>December 2025<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On behalf of the National Indigenous Connectivity Inc, (NICI) team, I am sharing my NICI CEO 2024-2025 year-end report.\u00a0 I like to acknowledge all our First Nation partners and NICI Board members who continue to support the National Indigenous Connectivity Inc.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I had the privilege of meeting several senior Indigenous and non-Indigenous professionals during the past quarter coming to a close in the month of December in Toronto and Ottawa Ontario.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, for the past several weeks NICI have been promoting our NICI- National Indigenous Connectivity Conference scheduled for February 25-26, 2026 at the Grey Eagle Resort &amp; Casino- Event Centre-Ballroom located at 3777 Grey Eagle Drive, TsuuT\u2019ina Nation, Calgary, Alberta. On December 02 \u2013 04, 2025 distribution of media posts, invitations and conference brochures were shared at the Assembly of First Nations, Special Chiefs Assembly regional caucuses at the Rogers Centre, Ottawa, Ontario.<\/span><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/index.php\/national-indigenous-connectivity-conference\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-942\" src=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/social-media-image-300x251.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"251\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/social-media-image-300x251.png 300w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/social-media-image-768x644.png 768w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/social-media-image.png 940w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p><p><i><strong>&gt;&gt;\u00a0<\/strong> Registration is open on-line, <\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/index.php\/national-indigenous-connectivity-conference\/\"><b><i>check out our National Indigenous Connectivity Conference page<\/i><\/b><\/a><b><i>\u00a0&lt;&lt;<\/i><\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Further, this past year it\u2019s been challenging for NICI to secure additional organizational infrastructure funding. However, we continue to meet with potential partners to secure Reconciliation Agreements for the time period of 2025-2030.\u00a0 NICI continues to advocate for remote and rural First Nations communities to access affordable high-speed internet and unused spectrum.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Note, there has been a shift in public education on understanding remote and rural First Nations\u2019 need to have access to affordable high- speed internet or spectrum.\u00a0 For example, NICI continues to provide Indigenous Cultural Training (ICC) to government officials and the private sector to appreciate our diverse and unique First Nations culture and protocols across Turtle Island.\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To recap, NICI\u2019s approach to building Reconciliation as Relationship is based on the following;<\/span><\/p><p><b>Legal \/ Constitutional Basis \u2014 Supports NICI\u2019s Claim to Spectrum Rights<\/b><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Under the Canadian Constitution (specifically the Constitution Act, 1982, section 35), Aboriginal and treaty rights are recognised and affirmed. Centre for Constitutional Studies Minist\u00e8re de la Justice<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Crown (federal or provincial) therefore has a constitutional obligation to consult Indigenous <\/span>Peoples of Canada (and, where appropriate, accommodate them) when contemplating governmental decisions or licensing may adversely impact asserted or established Aboriginal or treaty rights.<\/li><\/ul><p><b>Crown-Indigenous Relations Canada Housing Infrastructure Canada<\/b><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The justification for consultation is not limited to proven title \u2014 even \u201casserted or potential\u201d <\/span>Aboriginal or treaty rights can trigger the duty.\u00a0<\/li><\/ul><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Several Indigenous advocacy voices (and analyses of spectrum regulation) describe <\/span>electromagnetic spectrum over Indigenous lands as a \u201cnatural resource\u201d that was never ceded <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and thus should be subject to Indigenous control or stewardship (often referred to as \u201cspectrum\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sovereignty\u201d). The Wire Report<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Therefore, the granting of exclusive spectrum licences to telecom companies \u2014 especially <\/span>without meaningful First Nations consultation or consent \u2014 raises strong constitutional and <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">rights-based concerns.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This legal framing strengthens NICI\u2019s moral, legal and political argument that spectrum licensing in <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Canada should not proceed without Indigenous involvement or benefit.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><b>Articles of Interest:<\/b><\/p><ol><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Annex Pan Canadian Framework &#8211; <a href=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Pan-Canadian-Framework-on-Clean-Growth-and-Climate-Change-Progress-Report.pdf\"><strong>Climate Change Progress Report<\/strong><\/a><\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/posts\/williamhgates_this-book-clears-up-climate-change-bill-activity-7408723748973056001-lp_x?utm_source=share&amp;utm_medium=member_ios&amp;rcm=ACoAAAZ8adwB1xkv3Ye3NVgEc-L1q7BdGg-T8yA\">Bill Gates reference to \u201cThis book clears up climate change\u201d<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by Hannah Ritchie, Source: Gates Foundation website<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/Your-AI-wont-work-without-Smart-Data-shelf.pdf\"><strong>4 Your AI Work \u2013 without Smart Data<\/strong><\/a><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/NICI-presentation-for-Canadian-Institute-CI-Dec-03-04-2025-Infrastructure-Housing.pptx.pdf\"><strong>NICI presentation Canadian Institute (CI)- Dec 03-04 2025<\/strong><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> -Infrastructure &amp; Housing East York Hotel &#8211; Toronto ON<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.ubcic.bc.ca\/joint_statement_b_c_s_declaration_act_provides_a_backstop_of_certainty_in_a_world_of_chaos\">Joint Statement: B.C.\u2019s Declaration Act Provides a Backstop of Certainty in a World of Chaos<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> by Andrea Glickman, Source: Union of BC Indian Chiefs website.<\/span><\/li><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-705d41a elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"705d41a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e50ef92 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e50ef92\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4>Meeting with the Right Honorable Micha\u00eblle Jean<\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-656d064 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"656d064\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>September 2025<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I had the privilege and honour to meet Honourable Micha\u00eblle Jean and her husband at the AFN, Special Chiefs Assembly in Winnipeg, Manitoba. <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-34cd166 e-grid e-con-full e-con e-child\" data-id=\"34cd166\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f4678f2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"f4678f2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"297\" src=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_8315-scaled-e1766793857326-300x297.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-947\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_8315-scaled-e1766793857326-300x297.jpg 300w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_8315-scaled-e1766793857326-1024x1015.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_8315-scaled-e1766793857326-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_8315-scaled-e1766793857326-768x761.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_8315-scaled-e1766793857326-1536x1522.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_8315-scaled-e1766793857326.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">The Right Honourable Micha\u00eblle Jean and Leoni Rivers<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-07f581c elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"07f581c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"278\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_8317-scaled-e1766793872222-278x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-948\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_8317-scaled-e1766793872222-278x300.jpg 278w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_8317-scaled-e1766793872222-948x1024.jpg 948w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_8317-scaled-e1766793872222-768x830.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_8317-scaled-e1766793872222-1422x1536.jpg 1422w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_8317-scaled-e1766793872222-1896x2048.jpg 1896w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_8317-scaled-e1766793872222.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 278px) 100vw, 278px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">The Right Honourable Micha\u00eblle Jean and Leoni Rivers<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6ed6860 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"6ed6860\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9ea0382 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9ea0382\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4>AFN Special Chiefs Assembly &#8211; Ottawa, ON, December 2025<\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2e71163 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"2e71163\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>December 2025<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I had the honour and privilege of meeting with our first newly elected Indigenous Minister Mandy Gull-Masty and raised the issue around remote and rural First Nations crucial need for access to affordable high-speed internet and unused spectrum across Turtle Island. As a result, we both exchanged contact information and plan to meet early in 2026 to discuss next steps.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9ab23d8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"9ab23d8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"296\" src=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0364-scaled-e1766794265513-300x296.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-950\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0364-scaled-e1766794265513-300x296.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0364-scaled-e1766794265513-1024x1010.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0364-scaled-e1766794265513-768x758.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0364-scaled-e1766794265513-1536x1515.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0364-scaled-e1766794265513.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Leoni Rivers &amp; Hon. Minister Mandy Gull-Masty<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8abd013 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"8abd013\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-32f9802 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"32f9802\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"250\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0373-scaled-e1766794436204-250x300.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-958\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0373-scaled-e1766794436204-250x300.jpeg 250w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0373-scaled-e1766794436204-855x1024.jpeg 855w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0373-scaled-e1766794436204-768x920.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0373-scaled-e1766794436204-1282x1536.jpeg 1282w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0373-scaled-e1766794436204.jpeg 1450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Leoni Rivers &amp; Steven Guilbault, Minister of Environment, Canada<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7268337 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7268337\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Resigns in cabinet due to MOU with Alberta and Federal Government. Essentially, as Government proposes to lift tanker ban for pipeline Development.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-06c7290 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"06c7290\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ce28991 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ce28991\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">I had the privilege of meeting with Tane Waetford, Lead Advisor, New Zealand Foreign Affairs &amp; Trade while he was on a First Nations tour of Canada. I had shared with Tane our NICI advocacy work around remote and rural First Nations communities\u2019 access to affordable high-speed internet and unused spectrum. Tane Waetford accepted my invitation to attend our NICI National Indigenous Connectivity Conference scheduled for February 25-26, 2026 in TsuuT\u2019ina Nation, Calgary Alberta.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-465dac2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"465dac2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"267\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0381-scaled-e1766794513561-267x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-952\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0381-scaled-e1766794513561-267x300.jpg 267w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0381-scaled-e1766794513561-910x1024.jpg 910w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0381-scaled-e1766794513561-768x864.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0381-scaled-e1766794513561-1366x1536.jpg 1366w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0381-scaled-e1766794513561.jpg 1378w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 267px) 100vw, 267px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Tane Waetford, Lead Advisor, New Zealand Foreign Affairs &amp; Trade &amp; Leoni Rivers, CEO National Indigenous Connectivity Inc.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e96ff10 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"e96ff10\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-954590c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"954590c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While attending the Assembly of First Nation Special Chiefs Assembly, I met with my good friend BC Chief Rosanne Casimir, Tk\u2019eml\u00faps te Secw\u00e9pemc. I had requested her support in communicating the need for remote and rural First Nations having immediate access to affordable high-speed internet and unused spectrum. <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2c8677d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"2c8677d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"264\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0383-scaled-e1766794580558-264x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-953\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0383-scaled-e1766794580558-264x300.jpg 264w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0383-scaled-e1766794580558-902x1024.jpg 902w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0383-scaled-e1766794580558-768x872.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0383-scaled-e1766794580558-1353x1536.jpg 1353w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0383-scaled-e1766794580558-1804x2048.jpg 1804w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0383-scaled-e1766794580558.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 264px) 100vw, 264px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Chief Rosanne Casimir, Tk\u2019eml\u00faps te Secw\u00e9pemc &amp; Leoni Rivers, CEO, National Indigenous Connectivity Inc.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bd0f666 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"bd0f666\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1a0b10d elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"1a0b10d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-97af947 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"97af947\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4>Assembly of First Nations, Special Chiefs Assembly &#8211; Ottawa, ON,\u00a0December 02-04, 2025<\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-12191b0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"12191b0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>December 2025<\/b><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Honouring our fearless Leader Eliijah Harper, Member of House of Commons.<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In 1990, Harper achieved national fame for his refusal to accept the Meech Lake Accord, a constitutional amendment package negotiated to gain Quebec&#8217;s acceptance of the Constitution Act, 1982. <\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3679105 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"3679105\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"246\" src=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0378-scaled-e1766794698365-300x246.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-951\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0378-scaled-e1766794698365-300x246.jpg 300w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0378-scaled-e1766794698365-1024x839.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0378-scaled-e1766794698365-768x630.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0378-scaled-e1766794698365-1536x1259.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0378-scaled-e1766794698365.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Elijah Harper\u2019s Daughter, Holly, Blanketed, AFN SCA, December 2025<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aeca0c3 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"aeca0c3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aba9e88 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"aba9e88\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4>AFN, Special Chiefs Assembly Winter Solace Gala &#8211; Ottawa, ON, December 04, 2025<\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-19134c0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"19134c0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"220\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0408-scaled-e1766795127269-220x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-954\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0408-scaled-e1766795127269-220x300.jpg 220w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0408-scaled-e1766795127269-750x1024.jpg 750w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0408-scaled-e1766795127269-768x1048.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0408-scaled-e1766795127269-1125x1536.jpg 1125w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0408-scaled-e1766795127269.jpg 1156w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 220px) 100vw, 220px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Leoni Rivers, NICI; Chief Garnet Woodhouse of Pinaymootang First Nation; and Loretta Woodhouse (parents of AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse)<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-550098d e-grid e-con-full e-con e-child\" data-id=\"550098d\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-64203d0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"64203d0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"273\" src=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0417-scaled-e1766795199836-300x273.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-955\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0417-scaled-e1766795199836-300x273.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0417-scaled-e1766795199836-1024x933.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0417-scaled-e1766795199836-768x700.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0417-scaled-e1766795199836-1536x1400.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0417-scaled-e1766795199836.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Leoni Rivers &amp; AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse and Family<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-792ea7d elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"792ea7d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"264\" src=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0420-scaled-e1766795265742-300x264.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-956\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0420-scaled-e1766795265742-300x264.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0420-scaled-e1766795265742-1024x901.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0420-scaled-e1766795265742-768x676.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0420-scaled-e1766795265742-1536x1352.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/IMG_0420-scaled-e1766795265742.jpeg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Leoni Rivers &amp; AFN National Chief Cindy Woodhouse and Family - I had the honour and privilege of breaking bread with the lovely Woodhouse clan!<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-902560f elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"902560f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f0fb223 elementor-widget-divider--separator-type-pattern elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"f0fb223\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\" style=\"--divider-pattern-url: url(&quot;data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg xmlns=&#039;http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg&#039; preserveAspectRatio=&#039;none&#039; overflow=&#039;visible&#039; height=&#039;100%&#039; viewBox=&#039;0 0 24 24&#039; fill=&#039;none&#039; stroke=&#039;black&#039; stroke-width=&#039;1.5&#039; stroke-linecap=&#039;square&#039; stroke-miterlimit=&#039;10&#039;%3E%3Cpath d=&#039;M0,6c6,0,6,13,12,13S18,6,24,6&#039;\/%3E%3C\/svg%3E&quot;);\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cb01a5c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cb01a5c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4><em><strong>Summer 2025 Update<\/strong><\/em><\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f0c2b33 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"f0c2b33\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3f87655 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3f87655\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4>Meeting with ISED Minister \u2013 Melanie Joly<\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b464677 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b464677\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>June 2025<\/b><\/p><p>I met with Minister Melanie Joly at the University of Calgary in Calgary Alberta.\u00a0 I was honoured and privileged to have some time to share with the ISED Minister our National Indigenous Connectivity Inc. (NICI) advocacy work with the remote and rural First Nations wanting to secure access to high-speed internet or spectrum to have tele health and tele-education to have digital inclusion. At that moment, I had shared with the Minister of ISED that the National Indigenous Connectivity Inc, (NICI)\u00a0 had a mandate as an advocacy organization to support remote and rural First Nations communities on access to spectrum and high-speed internet.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e154759 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e154759\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"295\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Melanie-Joly-Minister-of-ISED-1-scaled-e1760837668640-295x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-815\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Melanie-Joly-Minister-of-ISED-1-scaled-e1760837668640-295x300.jpg 295w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Melanie-Joly-Minister-of-ISED-1-scaled-e1760837668640-1006x1024.jpg 1006w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Melanie-Joly-Minister-of-ISED-1-scaled-e1760837668640-768x782.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Melanie-Joly-Minister-of-ISED-1-scaled-e1760837668640-1509x1536.jpg 1509w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Melanie-Joly-Minister-of-ISED-1-scaled-e1760837668640.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 295px) 100vw, 295px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Melanie Joly Minister of ISED and Leoni Rivers, CEO National Indigenous Connectivity Inc.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6e025a7 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"6e025a7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0d274a3 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"0d274a3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-20e859c elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"20e859c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ed16275 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"ed16275\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-27c3ae5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"27c3ae5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4>CRTC announced their decision on major Telcos sharing their networks<\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-753ebab elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"753ebab\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>June 2025<\/b><\/p><p>In November 2023 CRTC <u>interim<\/u> decision 2023-358 forced <b>Bell to open its fibre network<\/b>\u00a0to Telus and Rogers.<\/p><p>As a result, Bell announced it would <b>roll back its planned fibre expansion<\/b>, reducing its 2024-25 capex budget by over $1 billion and its 2025 build target from 9 million to 8.3 million locations. The decision became final on 13 August 2023. <b>Cogeco has appealed this CRTC decision to Cabinet<\/b> \u2013\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/laws-lois.justice.gc.ca\/eng\/acts\/T-3.4\/page-1.html?txthl=over\"><u>section 12<\/u><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/laws-lois.justice.gc.ca\/eng\/acts\/T-3.4\/page-1.html?txthl=over\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">\u00a0<\/a>Telecom Act.<\/p><p>Prioritizing resale <b>does nothing for rural, remote of indigenous communities<\/b> that are not yet connected to fibre. The CRTC\u2019s narrow pursuit of wholesale access comes at the expense of investment as <b>resellers<\/b> make virtually <b>no investment in network expansion.\u00a0 The CRTC decision is forcing Bell to open its fibre network to Telus and Rogers. With the exception of Telus, the entire industry opposed.<\/b><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e1a3c19 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"e1a3c19\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c2c62ce elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c2c62ce\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4>National Chief Cindy Woodhouse, Nepinak<\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e7fd7dc elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e7fd7dc\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>August 2025<\/b><\/p><p>I had the honor and privilege of witnessing National Chief Cindy Woodhouse, Nepinak receiving her headdress from the Alberta Treaty 6,7,8\u00a0 First Nations.\u00a0 We had a good discussion on the advocacy work the National Indigenous Connectivity Inc was doing subject to the AFN Chiefs mandate and support of April 2022.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-22ced3f elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"22ced3f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Chief-Cindy-Woodhouse-AFN-300x225.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-809\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Chief-Cindy-Woodhouse-AFN-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Chief-Cindy-Woodhouse-AFN-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Chief-Cindy-Woodhouse-AFN-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Chief-Cindy-Woodhouse-AFN-1536x1152.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">National Chief Cindy Woodhouse, Nepinak  AFN &amp; Leoni Rivers, CEO National, Indigenous Connectivity Inc.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9798fc8 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"9798fc8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-18cf56d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"18cf56d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4>National Indigenous Connectivity Conference set for December 2025<\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4daaff1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4daaff1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>NICI hosts its first augural National Indigenous Connectivity Inc &#8211;&nbsp;<a style=\"background-color: #d5e0f0;\" href=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/index.php\/national-indigenous-connectivity-conference\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>National Indigenous Connectivity Conference on February 25-26, 202<\/u><\/a><u>6<\/u>&nbsp;at the Grey Eagle Event Centre on Tsuu&#8217;tina Nation in Calgary, Alberta. Fundraising, Keynote Speakers, Panellists and Service Providers are currently being invited to actively participate in this National Indigenous Connectivity Conference. First Nation Elders (65+) and Youth (18-30) can register without costs to attend both days.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The first day, February 25th, will conclude with a banquet dinner. Tickets will need to be purchased separately and in advance.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><a style=\"background-color: #d5e0f0; color: #38629f;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eventbrite.com\/e\/national-indigenous-connectivity-conference-tickets-1831173492209?aff=oddtdtcreator\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><u>Conference &amp; Banquet Registration is open now.<\/u><\/span><\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-59f35de elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"59f35de\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3e0d435 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3e0d435\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">AFN Special Chiefs Assembly &#8211; Winnipeg, MB, September 2025<\/span><\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e921cd1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e921cd1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>September 2025<\/b><\/p><p>The Assembly of First Nations, (AFN) held their Special Chiefs Assembly in Winnipeg, Manitoba after cancelling the June 2025 proposed AFN Chiefs meeting.\u00a0 Updates on the AFN First Nations support on economic growth and prosperity, long term child welfare, 23 Billion compensation settlement process, drinking water legislation, systemic racism and advancing First Nations Policing and Bill C-5 were top of the three day agenda. The AFN\u00a0 is a national advocacy organization that works to advance the collective aspirations of First Nations and organizations.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2722b32 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"2722b32\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"550\" src=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_8238-scaled-e1760673455345-768x550.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-816\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_8238-scaled-e1760673455345-768x550.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_8238-scaled-e1760673455345-300x215.jpg 300w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_8238-scaled-e1760673455345-1024x733.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_8238-scaled-e1760673455345-1536x1099.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_8238-scaled-e1760673455345.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Special Chiefs Assembly - Winnipeg, September 2025   Photos by Leoni Rivers, Squamish Nation<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-785138e elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"785138e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5dbe602 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5dbe602\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4>Wab Kinew, Premier of Manitoba<\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-79ebeb1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"79ebeb1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>September 2025<\/b><\/p><p>I had the distinct pleasure of meeting Premier Wab Kinew in Winnipeg, Manitoba and shared with him our NICI advocacy work on access of spectrum and high-speed internet for all remote and rural First Nations communities.\u00a0 I also thanked the Premier for all his hard work on the Indigenous Missing Women and Girls file especially bringing attention to the missing women in the Winnipeg landfill.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fd2f945 e-grid e-con-full e-con e-child\" data-id=\"fd2f945\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-399238b elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"399238b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"280\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Manitoba-Premier-1-scaled-e1760837565139-280x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-813\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Manitoba-Premier-1-scaled-e1760837565139-280x300.jpg 280w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Manitoba-Premier-1-scaled-e1760837565139-957x1024.jpg 957w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Manitoba-Premier-1-scaled-e1760837565139-768x822.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Manitoba-Premier-1-scaled-e1760837565139-1435x1536.jpg 1435w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Manitoba-Premier-1-scaled-e1760837565139.jpg 1810w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 280px) 100vw, 280px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Leoni Rivers and Wab Kinew, Manitoba Premier <\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5507952 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"5507952\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"281\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Manitoba-Premier-2-e1760837585485-281x300.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-811\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Manitoba-Premier-2-e1760837585485-281x300.jpg 281w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Manitoba-Premier-2-e1760837585485.jpg 623w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 281px) 100vw, 281px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Leoni Rivers and Wab Kinew, Manitoba Premier<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-37ec506 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"37ec506\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-62042cb elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"62042cb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4>Why a Major Projects Office (MPO)<\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-156b33d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"156b33d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In September, 2025\u00a0 the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, announced the launch of the new Major Projects Office (MPO). The MPO will work to fast-track nation-building projects by streamlining regulatory assessment and approvals and helping to structure financing, in close partnership with provinces, territories, Indigenous Peoples, and private investors.<\/p><p>The five major projects are as follows:<\/p><p><b>(1)\u2002LNG Canada Phase 2, Kitimat, British Columbia: <\/b>This project will double LNG Canada\u2019s production of liquefied natural gas, making it the second-largest facility of its kind in the world. It is expected to attract significant private-sector capital to Canada, contribute to our GDP growth, and support jobs and economic growth in local communities. It will diversify our trading partners and meet increasing global demand for secure, low-carbon energy with Canadian LNG, contributing to worldwide energy security by increasing the supply of available natural gas for Asian and European partners. Leveraging Canada\u2019s sustainable advantage, emissions are projected to be 35% lower than the world\u2019s best-performing LNG facilities and 60% lower than the global average.<\/p><p><b>(2)\u2002Darlington New Nuclear Project, Bowmanville, Ontario: <\/b>This project will make Canada the first G7 country to have an operational small modular reactor (SMR), accelerating the commercialization of a key technology that could support Canadian and global clean energy needs while driving $500 million annually into Ontario\u2019s nuclear supply chain. Once complete, Darlington\u2019s first of four planned SMR units will provide reliable, affordable, clean power to 300,000 homes, while sustaining 3,700 jobs annually, including 18,000 during construction, over the next 65 years. The project has the potential to position Canada as a global leader in the deployment of SMR technology for use across the country and worldwide.<\/p><p><b>(3)\u2002Contrec\u0153ur Terminal Container Project, Contrec\u0153ur, Qu\u00e9bec:<\/b> This project will expand the Port of Montr\u00e9al\u2019s capacity by approximately 60%, to give Eastern Canada the trading infrastructure it needs to keep goods moving, meet growing demand, and diversify trade routes. It will strengthen supply chains, create thousands of jobs, and generate approximately $140 million annually in local and national economic benefits across Qu\u00e9bec and Canada.<\/p><p><b>(4)\u00a0 McIlvenna Bay Foran Copper Mine Project, East-Central Saskatchewan:<\/b> Situated in one of Canada\u2019s richest mineral belts and working in close collaboration with the Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, this project will supply copper and zinc to strengthen Canada\u2019s position as a global supplier of critical minerals for clean energy, advanced manufacturing, and modern infrastructure. It will create 400 jobs, boost local economies in Saskatchewan and Quebec, where the copper will be smelted, and is expected to be the first net-zero copper project in Canada.<\/p><p><b>(5)\u00a0 Red Chris Mine expansion, Northwest British Columbia:<\/b> This major expansion project will extend the lifespan of the mine by over a decade, increase Canada\u2019s annual copper production by over 15%, employ about 1,500 workers during operations, with a peak of approximately 1,800 workers during construction, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 70% when operational. Working in close collaboration with the Tahltan Nation, it is an important step in reconciliation and further developing the potential of Northern British Columbia and will strengthen Canada\u2019s role as a reliable supplier of copper and other resources essential for global manufacturing and clean energy technologies. This mine is part of the proposed Northwest Critical Conservation Corridor. This corridor is being moved to the MPO for consideration, as it presents opportunities for critical minerals development, clean power transmission, Indigenous project leadership, and a potential new conservation area the size of Greece.<\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Source: Prime Minister of Canada Website<\/span><\/p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><em><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.canada.ca\/en\/privy-council\/major-projects-office.html\">More about the MPO<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/em><\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Note, the MPO mandate will help to identify projects that are in Canada\u2019s national interest and accelerate their development, including by creating a single set of conditions \u2013 reducing the approval timeline for projects of national interest to a maximum of two years and working with provinces and territories to achieve a \u201cone project, one review\u201d approach. Most notable, is that these major projects are located in First Nations lands. Canada will need to provide meaningful consultation with these impacted First Nations with the respect and transparency utilizing Free, Prior and Informed Consent, (FPIC). It still is unclear what approach will take place going forward in economic reconciliation.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since June 2025, it feels like all major projects have been put on hold until the federal Government assesses and evaluates what additional major projects are a priority. If Canada is looking at all deals fairly, we need to look at Canada\u2019s First Nations major projects as a priority if we are focussing on tariffs. While building relationships, we need to consider the removal of tariffs on China, so China would remove their tariffs on our Canadian products.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The results of these impacts and pressure on current and proposed connectivity projects are significant as the CRTC decision to allow major Telcos to work on each other&#8217;s networks have caused smaller Indigenous Communications service providers to be removed from the competitive opportunities in rural and remote communities across Canada.<br \/><\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0bd2440 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"0bd2440\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-82a7a27 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"82a7a27\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4>Rebecca Alty, Minister Crown and Indigenous Relations<\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7c54b7c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7c54b7c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>October 2025<\/b><\/p><p>I had an opportunity to meet Rebecca Alty, Minister Crown and Indigenous Relations in Calgary, Alberta earlier this month. I was honoured and privileged to spend some quality time with Minister Atly,\u00a0 and discussed\u00a0 with her our National Indigenous Connectivity Inc mandate and vision going forward.\u00a0 I had also requested potential funding for our up-coming National Indigenous Connectivity Inc Conference in December 2025.\u00a0 \u00a0I had closed with an invitation to her office to participate on a global government\u00a0 panel to discuss digital inclusion and how her department could play a pivotal role in that connectivity space.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-33766ac elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"33766ac\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" src=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_9147-300x225.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-810\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_9147-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_9147-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_9147-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_9147-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/IMG_9147-2048x1536.jpg 2048w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Leoni Rivers and Rebecca Atty, Minister Crown and Indigenous Relations<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1052439 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"1052439\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e73feac elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e73feac\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ISED Announcement: Notice of 2026 Auction of Residual Spectrum Licences \/ <br \/><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">l&#8217;Avis de la mise aux ench\u00e8res de licences de spectre restantes en 2026<\/span><\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cf99426 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cf99426\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>October 2025<\/b><\/p><p>Mark Saunders shared the link for the publication of the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/ised-isde.canada.ca\/site\/spectrum-management-telecommunications\/en\/spectrum-allocation\/spectrum-auctions\/spectrum-auction-publications\/notice-2026-auction-residual-spectrum-licences\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>Notice of 2026 Auction of Residual Spectrum Licences<\/u><\/a>. Apparently, ISED periodically holds auctions for spectrum licences that were left unallocated after a previous auction, not renewed, cancelled by ISED or voluntarily returned by a licensee before the end of licence term. The notice outlines the available licences, competitive measures, minimum amounts <i>accepted for each licence, as well as the auction format, rules and process.\u00a0 For additional information concerning key dates please refer to the\u00a0<\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/ised-isde.canada.ca\/site\/spectrum-management-telecommunications\/en\/spectrum-allocation\/spectrum-auctions\/spectrum-auction-publications\/2026-auction-residual-spectrum-licences-table-key-dates\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><u>2026 Auction of Residual Spectrum Licences &#8211; Table of Key Dates<\/u><\/i><\/a>. If you have any questions you may reach out to the\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:indigenousspectrumpolicyteam-equipedepolitiqueduspectreautoch@ised-isde.gc.ca\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>Indigenous Spectrum Policy Team<\/u><\/a>. Please share this email with any First Nation organizations, communities or individuals that may be interested.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p><p>Source Cited: ISED Website<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f91ab57 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"f91ab57\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3bfe8ce elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3bfe8ce\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4>Manitoba Grand Chief calls for better cell service after mass stabbings<\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-30494c2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"30494c2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>By Steve Lambert, The Canadian Press Posted September 8, 2025 5:17pm<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><p>WINNIPEG \u2014 Ensuring First Nations communities have cellular coverage would help responses to emergencies such as the mass stabbing on Hollow Water First Nation, a Manitoba grand chief said Monday.<\/p><p>\u201cThat should just be a no-brainer. We have to have connection to emergency services,\u201d Grand Chief Jerry Daniels said in an interview.<\/p><p>An 18-year-old woman was killed and several others were hospitalized last Thursday after a series of stabbings on the reserve.<\/p><p>The suspect \u2014 Tyrone Simard, 26 \u2014 fatally stabbed his 18-year-old sister, wounded seven others, and later died after driving a stolen vehicle and colliding with an RCMP officer responding to the tragedy, RCMP have said.<\/p><p>Hollow Water is not a remote community. It is about 200 kilometres northeast of Winnipeg and connected by road. But it is outside cellular coverage areas to the south, east and west.<\/p><p>The community\u2019s 1,100 residents rely on alternatives such as land lines and Wi-Fi calling. By all accounts to date, authorities responded quickly last week as community safety officers were on site and RCMP officers from multiple detachments in the region drove to the scene.<\/p><p>Health officials said Monday four patients from the community have been discharged since the attack \u2014 the most recent person on Sunday \u2014 and the rest are expected to be released in the coming days.<\/p><p>The RCMP officer injured in the collision with the suspect remains in hospital, RCMP said.<\/p><p>Hollow Water and other First Nations deserve the same type of connectivity as other communities, Daniels said. Aside from safety issues, connectivity would help economic development and public services, he said.<\/p><p>\u201cThese are all reasons why First Nations are basically considered second-class citizens within their own country.\u201d<\/p><p>Bell Canada says it currently covers about 99 per cent of the Canadian population and is expanding coverage further.<\/p><p>\u201cBell is working with all levels of government to enhance and grow our wireless network in addition to our ongoing work to build new towers across Canada, including in Manitoba,\u201d the company said in a written statement.<\/p><p>Mike Moroz, Manitoba\u2019s minister of innovation and new technology, said he is working with the federal government, which regulates telecommunications, on improving service.<\/p><p>Moroz expressed optimism over the fact that Buckley Belanger, a member of Parliament from northern Saskatchewan, was appointed this year as federal secretary of state for rural development.<\/p><p>\u201cHe understands the reality on the ground in some of these communities. He understands the importance of making progress,\u201d Moroz said.<\/p><p>This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 8, 2024.<\/p><p>Steve Lambert, The Canadian Press<\/p><p>Read the full article here: https:\/\/www.ctvnews.ca\/winnipeg\/article\/manitoba-grand-chief-calls-for-better-cell-service-after-mass-stabbings\/<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c5ea745 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"c5ea745\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bf9b634 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"bf9b634\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4>What is Bill C-5 and How Does this Impact First Nations of Canada?<\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8baf8b7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8baf8b7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong>Bill C-5 \u201c<i>Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act\u201d<\/i><\/strong><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Part 1<\/strong> enacts the\u00a0<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which establishes a statutory framework to remove federal barriers to the interprovincial trade of goods and services and to improve labour mobility within Canada. <\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the case of goods and services, that Act provides that a good or service that meets provincial or territorial requirements is considered to meet comparable federal requirements that pertain to the interprovincial movement of the good or provision of the service. In the case of workers, it provides for the recognition of provincial and territorial authorizations to practise occupations and for the issuance of comparable federal authorizations to holders of such provincial and territorial authorizations. <\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It also provides the Governor in Council with the power to make regulations respecting federal barriers to the interprovincial movement of goods and provision of services and to the movement of labour within Canada.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Part 2<\/strong> enacts the\u00a0<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Building Canada Act<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which, among other things,<\/span><\/p><p><b>(a)\u2002<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">authorizes the Governor in Council to add the name of a project and a brief description of it to a schedule to that Act if the Governor in Council is of the opinion, having regard to certain factors, that the project is in the national interest;<\/span><\/p><p><b>(b)\u2002<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">provides that determinations and findings that have to be made and opinions that have to be formed under certain Acts of Parliament and regulations for an authorization to be granted in respect of a project that is named in Schedule 1 to that Act are deemed to have been made or formed, as the case may be, in favour of permitting the project to be carried out in whole or in part; and<\/span><\/p><p><b>(c)\u2002<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">requires the minister who is designated under that Act to issue to the proponent of a project, if certain conditions are met, a document that sets out conditions that apply in respect of the project and that is deemed to be the authorizations, required under certain Acts of Parliament and regulations, that are specified in the document.<\/span><\/p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More is available on the House of Commons website at <\/span><b>www.ourcommons.ca<\/b><\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><p><b>Impacts to First Peoples of Canada<\/b><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First Nations Leaders expressed strong concerns over the rushed legislative process,\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">lack of meaningful consultation, Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC).<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Bill C-5 narrowly defined national interest that excludes First Nations priorities and perspectives,<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As written, it\u2019s a failure to support First Nations priorities such as closing the infrastructure gap, and the broader implications for rights and jurisdiction.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bill C-5 represents a significant step backward in the Crown\u2013First Nations relationship and questioned the federal rationale to once again sidestep their obligations to First Nations rights holders.\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First Nations noted that the concept of \u201cnational interest\u201d must include the rights of First Nations as original stewards of the land.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bill C-5 stands in contrast to what First Nations have long advocated for, and conflicts with Canada\u2019s own laws, including the\u00a0<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First Nations Leaders underlined the importance of sovereignty, the right to self-determination, and the need for each region to determine its own position based on community priorities and long-term interests.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First Nations Leaders raised concerns about the potential impact for this legislation on their lands and Treaty rights.<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0First Nations Leaders emphasized that First Nations are not opposed to development or partnerships on major projects but expect to be full partners in decisions and legislation that affect their lands, waters, and Treaty rights, both now and for future generations.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Summary:<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The proposed \u2018<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Building Canada Act\u2019<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> raises significant concerns for <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">First Nations<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Specifically,\u00a0<\/span><\/p><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Undermines First Peoples of Canada\u2019s Constitutional and Treaty rights, Section 35.,<\/span><\/li><\/ul><ul><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Narrows the Crown\u2019s \u2018duty to consult\u2019 and \u2018accommodate\u201d, and\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">disregards the Principle of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent, as affirmed in the U<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">nited Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/li><li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It exempts Government to build meaningful and economic relationships with First Nations through partnerships and equity on major Projects.<\/span><\/li><\/ul><p><strong>The National Indigenous Connectivity Inc encourages all First Nations of Canada impacted to contact their local MP or government representative to have your voices heard on Bill C-5.<\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6c9b610 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"6c9b610\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-45d6d6c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"45d6d6c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4>June 20, 2025 \u2013 CRTC Decision<\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7cd0013 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7cd0013\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Background:<\/strong> Canada\u2019s telecommunications regulator has once again determined the country\u2019s largest internet providers should be able to provide service to customers using fibre networks built by their rivals \u2014 as long as they are outside their core serving regions. Networking cables in a server bay are shown in Toronto on Wednesday, November 8, 2017. \u00a0 Source: \u00a0 THE CANADIAN PRESS\/Nathan Denette<\/span><\/p><p><strong>The CRTC Decision \u2013 June 20, 2025<\/strong><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recently, the CRTC declined to make any changes to its wholesale fibre access policy. Instead, it reaffirmed its previous decision to allow Bell, Rogers, and Telus to resell services on each other\u2019s fibre networks.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The CRTC\u2019s policy is having an immediate, negative impact on Bell\u2019s ability to build and grow Canada\u2019s broadband fibre network. Bell has reduced its capital expenditures by $500 million in 2025 alone and by over $1.2 billion since the CRTC\u2019s initial decision in November 2023.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This decision has huge impacts on First Nations entering the Communications Services Market in providing fast-speed internet and or spectrum to remote and rural First Nation communities. The following is an article that provides the specific impacts to the major Telcos currently operating in Canada.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-dddf0c1 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"dddf0c1\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-92869d1 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"92869d1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9190c7f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9190c7f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b>By Sammy Hudes, The Canadian Press\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Posted Jun 20, 2025 10:33:00 AM.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Canada\u2019s telecommunications regulator has once again determined the country\u2019s largest internet companies should be able to provide service to customers using fibre networks built by their rivals \u2014 as long as they are doing so outside their core regions.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It marks the CRTC\u2019s final decision on the contentious matter \u2014 which has pitted Telus Corp. against BCE Inc. and Rogers Communications Inc., along with many smaller providers \u2014 after a lengthy process filled with several interim rulings and reconsiderations.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bell has argued against the policy, saying it discourages the major providers from investing in their own infrastructure, while some independent carriers have raised concerns that it could make it more difficult for them to compete against larger players.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meanwhile, Telus has defended it as a way to boost competition in regions where it doesn\u2019t have its own network infrastructure, which then improves affordability for customers.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The CRTC said in its latest decision that its rules effectively balance the need for both competition and investment, while only having a \u201cmodest\u201d near-term effect on the market share of regional carriers.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It said it plans to continue evaluating the effect on the industry, noting there have been \u201cearly indicators of improved competitive intensity\u201d but that the extent to which the new rules \u201cwill ultimately be successful is still unknown.\u201d<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cAs the framework continues to be implemented, the commission will closely monitor the relevant markets and make any adjustments necessary,\u201d it said.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The framework initially kicked in May 2024 on a limited basis, when the regulator began requiring Bell and Telus to give competitors \u2014 including both big and small companies \u2014 access to their fibre-to-the-home networks, in exchange for a fee.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While those rules initially applied only in Ontario and Quebec, the CRTC then announced last August they would be extended to networks owned by telephone companies countrywide.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But the federal government then asked the commission to reconsider whether the Big Three providers should be able to act as wholesalers under the rules, citing concern about the viability of smaller internet providers to act as alternatives. The CRTC opened a consultation into the matter and issued a temporary decision this past February that upheld the rules, while delaying a final determination until the summer.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bell responded to the February decision by cutting $500 million in investment plans this year and slowing its fibre network build by 1.5 million locations it had intended to connect.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On Friday, Bell \u2014 along with Rogers and the Canadian Telecommunications Association \u2014 called for the federal government to overturn the regulator\u2019s decision.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThe CRTC policy will continue to have major negative impacts well into the future,\u201d Bell executive vice-president Robert Malcolmson said in a statement.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cAs Bell and others have consistently warned, this policy is stalling investment, diminishing network resiliency and leaving rural, remote and Indigenous communities behind. Over the long-term, it will reduce competition as smaller internet service providers, who cannot offer the same promotions and bundles as large players, are squeezed out of the market.\u201d<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rogers spokesman Zac Carreiro said the CRTC\u2019s \u201cmisguided decision\u201d runs counter to Ottawa\u2019s agenda \u201cat a time when Canada needs investment to grow the economy.\u201d<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThe result is the lost opportunity to create jobs and get our economy back on the right path,\u201d he said in a statement.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Competitive Network Operators of Canada, an industry association representing independent internet providers, also called for federal intervention. Its president and chair Paul Andersen said the decision \u201cputs the future of affordable, competitive internet for Canadians at risk.\u201d<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWithout clear action from cabinet, smaller providers will exit the market, and Canadians will face higher prices and fewer choices,\u201d he said in a statement.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other providers slammed the CRTC\u2019s ruling, including Cogeco Inc., Eastlink and TekSavvy.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Andy Kaplan-Myrth, TekSavvy\u2019s vice-president of regulatory and carrier affairs, urged the CRTC to \u201csignificantly\u201d reduce rates that wholesalers pay big companies to access their networks, \u201cgiven how this decision puts dominant telecom giants head to head against independent competitors.\u201d<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A report released earlier this month by the Montreal Economic Institute said forcing companies to sell access to their networks, sometimes below cost, would discourage investment in vital internet infrastructure.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThat is not a good thing for Canadians, especially as more and more of our activities depend on our access to good and reliable data services,\u201d said Renaud Brossard, a spokesman for the think tank.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cThe less investment there is \u2026 the longer it becomes to load pages, to watch videos, or in the case of large companies, to provide services to their consumers. Lower investment and lower quality networks means it\u2019s going to be slower to access these sort of things.\u201d<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Telus applauded the CRTC on Friday, saying its decision \u201creinforces the independence of expert regulators.\u201d<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The company began offering fibre service throughout Ontario and Quebec in November under the wholesale regime, saying it planned to extend its offerings to the Atlantic provinces too. Since then, it has already added thousands of customers in those regions, Telus associate general counsel Daniel Stern said in an interview earlier this month.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">He dismissed concerns that standalone internet providers would be squeezed out by Telus\u2019 entrance to internet service markets where it doesn\u2019t own networks.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIf your goal is corporate welfare for small companies, then you definitely don\u2019t want Telus in,\u201d said Stern.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIf your goal is to bring competition and disciplined prices, then you want the company and suite of services that can actually go toe-to-toe with the two or three big companies that are incumbents.\u201d<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stern also disagreed that the current framework \u201cinhibits\u201d investment, saying Telus would \u201cinvest like crazy in our territory of Alberta and B.C.\u201d He noted the rules include limits, such as that new fibre infrastructure built by the large telecoms can\u2019t be made available to competitors for five years.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cBell should have every incentive to invest in Ontario and Quebec and Rogers across the country,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">David Clement, North American affairs manager for the Consumer Choice Center, said Friday\u2019s announcement was good news for home internet customers who want improved competition.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIt means that the duopoly that exists in almost every major market can now be challenged,\u201d he said.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIncreased competition in that way allows for telecom providers to compete on price, which is incredibly important given the cost of living crisis we have in this country.\u201d<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Source:\u00a0 This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 20, 2025.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Companies in this story: (TSX:BCE, TSX:T, TSX:RCI-B) \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Sammy Hudes, The Canadian Press<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0a09ad6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"0a09ad6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><em><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thecanadianpressnews.ca\/business\/crtc-upholds-wholesale-fibre-internet-rules-for-now-will-make-final-ruling-in-future\/article_2e1b17f2-c79b-5d5b-923c-c3c5e6990982.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Click here to read the full a<\/a>rticle<br \/><br \/><\/strong><\/em><strong>The National Indigenous Connectivity Inc will be meeting with the CRTC and ISED to express its viewpoint and dismay on this regulator decision and the fallout to the smaller First Nations Telcos.\u00a0<\/strong><em><strong><br \/><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d2ff479 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"d2ff479\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-aa08ab2 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"aa08ab2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-fed13b7 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"fed13b7\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4>MONTR\u00c9AL \u2013 June 2, 2025 \u2013 Bell Canada and National Indigenous Connectivity Inc. <br \/>(NICI) today announced a new Reconciliation Agreement with the shared goal to <br \/>advance connectivity in rural and remote First Nations communities.<\/h4>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d0b543d elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d0b543d\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Bell Canada and National Indigenous Connectivity Inc. to advance broadband and wireless access for rural and remote First Nations Communities\u00a0<\/p><p>\u2022 Joint agreement aims to close the digital infrastructure gap for high-speed Internet and wireless services in underserved First Nations communities\u00a0<\/p><p>\u2022 Both organizations call on the CRTC to reverse its policy that discourages private sector investment in broadband network expansion\u00a0<\/p><p>\u2022 Agreement builds on Bell\u2019s ongoing commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and First Nations communities\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-30e4f44 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"30e4f44\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><em><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/EN-FINAL-NICI-Bell-Press-Release.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Click here to read the full press release in English<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6e932f1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6e932f1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><strong><em><a href=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/FR-FINAL-NICI-Bell-Press-Release.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Cliquez ici pour lire le communiqu\u00e9 de presse complet en fran\u00e7ais<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e0059d3 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"e0059d3\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-037f140 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"037f140\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6a5b362 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"6a5b362\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Who We Are<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a2dc5de elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"a2dc5de\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-base-2-color has-text-color has-link-color has-system-sans-serif-font-family has-medium-font-size wp-elements-af0995a78a7e689e20d5013da66eaea6\">NICI is comprised of a coalition of First Nations representatives.<\/p><p class=\"has-text-align-center has-base-2-color has-text-color has-link-color has-system-sans-serif-font-family has-medium-font-size wp-elements-af0995a78a7e689e20d5013da66eaea6\">Our Board Of Directors represents First Nations from coast to coast to coast.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-29ec910 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"29ec910\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/index.php\/board\/\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Learn More About Our Governance<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b3e4212 elementor-widget elementor-widget-spacer\" data-id=\"b3e4212\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"spacer.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-spacer-inner\"><\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>National Indigenous Connectivity Inc. Bridging the Digital Divide About NICI The National Indigenous Connectivity Initiative (NICI)\u00a0works alongside First Nations, governments, and industry partners to ensure equitable access to broadband and spectrum, empowering communities to lead in the digital age. We are actively partnering with industry, stakeholders, and Rights and Title holders in: Advocating for Digital [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_theme","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-327","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/327","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=327"}],"version-history":[{"count":169,"href":"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/327\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1138,"href":"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/327\/revisions\/1138"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nic-inc.ca\/nic-inc\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=327"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}