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In 2013, there was no high-speed internet in Ochiichagwe’Babigo’Ining Ojibway Nation in Ontario – even though it’s just a short drive from the city of Kenora. The only option available was dial-up or the cellular network, so forget about binge-watching Netflix for the weekend.

So what do you do if you’re a young person with limited connectivity? If you’re Chad Henry, you round up some young people, set up a youth council and build the infrastructure yourself. Henry, now 28, gathered a group of five other young people, some just teenagers, and formed a youth council with the mission of bringing high speed internet to their town.

To listen to Chad’s story, click the listen button below or read the full story at cbc.ca/newfire

We think Chad Henry and the Ochiichagwe’Babigo’Ining Internet Service Provider and Youth Council serve as an exellent example of the challenges that many First Nations communities face in getting connected – and a celebration of the entrepreneurial and community-minded spirit of young people across our province and country who are committed to building a better future for their communities. SWIFT extends it’s sincere congratulations to Chad and his peers, and invites readers to recognize this incredible accomplishment.

SWIFT also encourages readers to follow the hashtag #NADCanada and explore opportunities to recognize and celebrate the important contributions that Indigenous peoples to our country’s social, economic, and cultural landscape.

*This story was originally published by CBC. You can hear the recording here or read the article here. More coverage can be read at Motherboard by clicking here.

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