Title
A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF CHEROKEE CONNECT, A PROJECT TO EXPAND RELIABLE COMMUNICATIONS AND INTERNET SERVICES IN CHEROKEE COMMUNITIES
Body
WHEREAS, the Cherokee Nation since time immemorial has exercised the sovereign rights of self-government on behalf of the Cherokee people; and,
WHEREAS, the Cherokee Nation is a federally recognized Indian Nation with a historic and continual government to government relationship with the United States of America; and,
WHEREAS, the Cherokee Nation has exclusive tribal jurisdiction over the Cherokee Nation Reservation, the geographic scope of which is defined in federal and Cherokee Nation law.
WHEREAS, the Cherokee Nation has determined that a need exists for the expansion of broadband services and affordable high-speed internet in rural communities; and,
WHEREAS, the Cherokee Nation has developed, with Council approval, the Respond, Recover, and Rebuild ("RRR"), funded in part by the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), which includes historic investments improving connectivity across the reservation; and,
WHEREAS, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration awarded funding to Cherokee Nation for the purposes of increasing access to broadband services in unserved and underserved communities as defined by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC); and,
WHEREAS, Cherokee Nation wishes to develop and build self-supporting communication tower sites in the following communities: Belfonte, Bell and CC Camp, Brent, Brushy, Chewey, Christie, Dry Creek, Eucha, Greasy, Marble City, Oakhill Piney, Oaks, Proctor, Tailholt, and Vian, pending final agreements with the community organizations. (See "Exhibit A," locations are approximate for illustration purposes).
WHEREAS, Cherokee Nation intends to partner with wireless internet service providers to provide affordable and reliable, high-speed internet to unserved and underserved communities, offer a discount to Cherokee Nation citizens who use the servi...
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