Accelerate Montana is pleased to announce the Tribal Broadband Bootcamp, an exciting opportunity for Tribal members across the state of Montana. The Tribal Broadband Bootcamp will take place in the Fort Belknap Indian Community from May 13-16th, 2024. The Bootcamp is a 3-day immersive, hands-on learning experience focused on broadband opportunities in Indian Country. Participants will interact with network operators, industry professionals, and broadband experts who will walk through what it takes to build, manage, or work at Tribally owned networks or other Internet Service Providers who serve Tribal communities.
The Tribal Broadband Bootcamp’s primary goal is to foster a network of Indigenous people working across Indian Country to build broadband networks and develop the best practices needed to ensure communities have high quality Internet access. The Bootcamp in Fort Belknap is specially designed to benefit “broadband beginners” including new employees, individuals interested in working in broadband, or Tribal leadership looking to become more knowledgeable.
The Bootcamp is made possible by support from Microsoft’s TechSpark program. TechSpark is a program that seeks to expand technology to remote communities left behind by rapid technological growth. TechSpark provides resources to organizations for broadband and digital literacy programs to bridge the digital divide and support rural and Tribal Communities’ participation in the digital economy.
The Tribal Broadband Bootcamp is important for Tribal Communities in Montana, as many communities in the state form part of broadband and internet deserts and lack reliable access to participate in today’s digital economy. Through this program, Accelerate Montana is providing training to Montana tribal members that builds digital and broadband skills so Montana’s Tribal Communities can build their own broadband networks and take advantage of employment opportunities in broadband.
Those interested must register in order to attend. Registration is free to all Tribal members.
