Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
government programmes, university courses and other education and train-
ing activities (Beaton 2005).
A second priority area for development was health services. A Keeway-
tinook Okimakanak Telehealth project was initiated which delivers a vari-
ety of telemedicine applications. There are now telehealth workstations in
each remote, fly-in community. These have diagnostic tools, a document
camera for transmitting X-rays for diagnosis, a patient microphone, a
video monitor, and a videoconference unit for consultations and telepsy-
chiatry sessions. Community members have been trained to be telehealth
co-ordinators, and can link patients with medical experts in hospitals in ur-
ban centres. The Telehealth facilities have proved cost-effective, and have
delivered several benefits both to community members and to health pro-
fessionals. They have helped to reduce the need to travel by air for health
consultations, and have helped health professionals to deliver a more res-
ponsive and targeted service. Through the communications facilities and
high speed access to information, healthcare workers have been able to
share best practice, improve their own learning and understanding of
health problems, and build up support networks among other professionals.
The K-Net network has also focused on providing opportunities and
support for economic development. A unique aspect of the network is that
it is wholly-owned by First Nations communities. Each community pro-
vides local support personnel, sets service rates and determines local bill-
ings. Job opportunities have been created in e-centres, by the Internet High
School, and by the Telehealth programme. Indirect financial benefit has
also come to the communities, e.g. as a result of providing accommodation
to the people coming into the region to undertake some of the new jobs.
The infrastructure is also providing some income generating opportunities
by making traditional arts and crafts available to a world market (see:
http://arts.knet.ca). Savings are being made in the cost of telecommunica-
tions, and as a result of the reduced need to travel out of the community for
education and health facilities.
The broadband facilities have enabled the community members to
communicate more easily both with other community members, with fam-
ily members who have moved away, and with the rest of the world. This
has had benefits in reducing the sense of isolation felt by community
members which has been an important factor in encouraging migration of
young people out of the community. The facilities have also enabled peo-
ple to contribute local and culturally relevant content, including native lan-
guage resources, which helps both to preserve the unique identity of the
KO First Nations community and to share it to promote understanding.
For example, K-Net hosts a forum called Turning Point, “ a dynamic and
respectful meeting place for First Nations, Metis, Inuit and diverse
Search WWH ::




Custom Search