Title
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING APPLICATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE TRIBAL BROADBAND CONNECTIVITY GRANT PROGRAM
Body
WHEREAS, the Cherokee Nation since time immemorial has exercised the sovereign rights of self-government on behalf of the Cherokee people;
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;
WHEREAS, Cherokee Nation is preparing an application to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, for the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Grant Program;
WHEREAS, Cherokee Nation proposes in its application to deploy broadband infrastructure in reservation areas certified by the tribe as being unserved or underserved according to NTIA’s definition;
WHEREAS, the construction of broadband infrastructure will lead to connectivity that ultimately encourages economic, educational, and healthcare opportunities for Cherokee Nation citizens living in rural communities currently lacking quality, affordable broadband;
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CHEROKEE NATION, that the Tribal Council hereby approves submission of the application to the U.S. Department of Commerce for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Tribal Broadband Connectivity Grant Program (Opportunity Number: NTIA-TBC-TBCPO-2021-2005948); and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED BY THE CHEROKEE NATION, that the Tribal Council hereby supports and approves the Cherokee Nation’s self-certification of unserved households and businesses in reservation areas as part of its application for the Tribal Broadband Connectivity Grant Program.