AboutApproachFocus
Digital StewardshipSystemic FinanceRelational InfrastructureKnowledge CommonsComplexity & ResilienceImpact Verticals
Lab
Provocations Experiments
Work Theory of ChangeConnect

Initiative

Connectivity and Digital Equity

A systems-informed initiative exploring community-owned internet service provision for Yukon First Nations, building local technical capacity and strengthening foundations for digital equity.

Digital Stewardship Knowledge Commons Impact Verticals
Status
Completed
Timeline
2022-2023
Lead Partner
Inspire IRP Consulting
Part Of
Lighting Up the North

The Challenge

Digital Inequity in Rural Yukon

Digital inequity in rural Yukon limits access to education, healthcare (including mental health), employment pathways, and civic participation. Connectivity solutions that depend on external providers can reinforce dependency and reduce community agency.

The Response

Community-Owned Connectivity

This initiative advanced the idea that community-owned internet service provision can support digital sovereignty and equity. It also emphasized training local community members to maintain and troubleshoot infrastructure, ensuring technical knowledge stays in community.

The work:

  • Connected the coalition with technical expertise through Connect Humanity and the Indigenous Connectivity Institute
  • Secured support to proceed with an initial feasibility study focused on Mayo, Yukon
  • Supported participation in regulatory processes (including engagement with a CRTC public hearing held in Whitehorse)

Key Learnings

What We Learned

  • Technical capacity and funding constraints can slow coalition-wide ambitions
  • Monopolistic or entrenched actors can create diversion tactics that reduce participation
  • A systems approach keeps the focus on downstream outcomes, not only infrastructure build

Partners

Coalition Collaborators

  • Connect Humanity
  • Indigenous Connectivity Institute
  • Yukon First Nations and community partners

Our Role

Systems Framing and Coordination

Sustainable Impact Foundation supported systems framing, partner coordination, and knowledge mobilization, helping translate infrastructure work into a broader digital equity and community capacity narrative.

Related Focus Areas

Connected themes

01

Digital Stewardship

Community-owned digital infrastructure and connectivity.

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06

Impact Verticals

Digital equity as a foundation for participation.

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Interested in this work?

If you are working in community-owned connectivity, digital equity, or Indigenous infrastructure, we welcome conversations about shared learning.

Get in Touch