Closing the Digital Divide: Connecting Native Nations and Communities to the 21st Century

Today's hearing will examine the ongoing communication challenges facing native communities, including Indian tribes, Alaska Native Villages and Hawaiian Homelands. Native Hawaiians have had a special political and legal relationship with the United States for the past 183 years, as evidenced through treaties with the United States, and are included in more than 188 federal statutes. Historically, native communities had less access to telecommunication services than any other segment of the United States population. The lack of good, reliable and affordable telecommunications infrastructure impedes economic development, educational opportunities, language retention and preservation, and access to healthcare and emergency services.