Internet grant money will help improve education, telehealth options on SD reservations
The Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate on the Lake Traverse Reservation is addressing its broadband internet access challenges thanks to a federal grant of more than $1.8 million.
Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Education Director Sherry Johnson is a founding member of the Local Research Review Board for the Lake Traverse Reservation in northeastern South Dakota. Thanks to her involvement with the board, she was able to help attain the grant money.
“More students are going to remote learning, and families will have multiple children in the home. The internet in their homes is not up to the speeds they need. Many homes don’t have internet access at all,” she said.
Native entities nationwide often struggle with internet connections. A rising concern is an increasing need for reliable, fast internet connections for telehealth and distance learning.
The tribal council has been working to address internet issues with the region’s internet providers. Some of the grant funding will improve broadband infrastructure, technology and speeds. But one of the biggest challenges that the reservation faces is the ability for families to afford internet service on a long-term basis.
“We have worked with providers to get internet into homes, but the problem is that these internet customers don’t have the funding they need to sustain it,” said Johnson.
That's where the federal grant money will help.
Grants have helped improve internet service on the reservation
The Tribal Broadband Connectivity program was funded by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. The act provided $980 million for grants to eligible Native American, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian entities for broadband deployment, digital inclusion, workforce development, telehealth and distance learning. The connectivity program also got an additional $2 billion from President Joe Biden's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Some of that money is going to South Dakota tribes seeking better internet service.
A smaller grant was previously implemented on the Lake Traverse Reservation to help address broadband connections for families with school-aged children. Now, the Tribal Broadband Connectivity grant will allow for further connectivity for all residents of the reservation, including those who need telehealth and the ability to work remotely.
“With the broadband grant, there is an opportunity for telemedicine to become an option for our elders,” Johnson said.
Transportation challenges make internet service vital
Transportation for the elderly in rural South Dakota is a growing concern, especially on reservations. It creates obstacles in providing health care to the sick and elderly.
“With the gas prices right now, a telemedicine option for our elders would greatly benefit them. They would be able to speak with and see their doctors on a virtual platform,” Johnson said.
The Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program awarded 19 grants totaling nearly $77 million to Native communities in 10 states across the U.S. Along with the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate, South Dakota’s Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe received grant money.
Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate members interested in learning more about the program or filling out a funding application can call 605-698-8298 or e-mail Johnson at sherryj@swo-nsn.gov.
This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate receive $1.8 million grant for broadband
