FCC seeks nominees for Native Nations Broadband Task Force

Wednesday, March 19, 2014  

The Federal Communications Commission is seeking nominations for its Native Nations Broadband Task Force.

The Obama administration created the task force in May 2011. Its members help the FCC improve broadband service in Indian Country.

"The task force is responsible for, among other things, assisting in developing and executing the commission’s consultation policy, eliciting input from tribal governments, ensuring that tribal concerns are considered in all commission proceedings related to broadband, developing additional recommendations for promoting broadband deployment and adoption on tribal lands, and coordinating with external entities, including other federal departments and agencies," the FCC said in a public notice on March 12.

Members of the task force must represent a federally recognized tribe or a tribal entity. Letters are due May 14.

"We hope and expect that many members will recommit, but we also need more regional representation from across Indian Country, and the inclusion of more subject matter experts from new areas of tribal government institutions," FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler said in a speech to the National Congress of American Indians last week. "So, I want to encourage you to help us look in every corner of Indian Country for new task force members."

The FCC also appoints its employees to serve in the task force. The prior co-chair was Geoffrey Blackwell, a member of the Muscogee Nation who leads the agency's Office of Native Affairs and Policy.