DA 05-2038

July 19, 2005

**FCC ANNOUNCES THE AGENDA FOR "FCC-NCAI**

**ITI ALBUQUERQUE REGIONAL WORKSHOP AND ROUNDTABLE"**

**JULY 28-29, 2005, IN ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO**

**FCC and National Congress of American Indians to participate in
intergovernmental Indian Telecommunications Initiatives program
examining issues critical to**

**telecom and broadcast deployment in Indian Country**

Washington, D.C. - As part of the FCC's Indian Telecommunications
Initiatives program (ITI), and in cooperation with the National Congress
of American Indians (NCAI), the oldest and largest inter-Tribal
government association in the United States, the FCC will host its
fourth ITI Regional Workshop and Roundtable on July 28 and 29 in
Albuquerque, NM, at the Embassy Suites Hotel Albuquerque. The agenda
will examine technology deployment issues on Tribal lands and the
related economic empowerment of Indian Country. Tribal leaders and
technology representatives, economic development and community planning
managers, and telecommunications industry representatives are encouraged
to attend these intergovernmental meetings.

Subjects addressed will highlight increased opportunities for increased
delivery of distance learning, telemedicine, public safety, e-commerce,
and governmental involvement through telecom and broadcast technologies.
FCC Commissioner Michael J. Copps will be making keynote remarks. The
event is free of charge to registrants. This ITI event will build upon
the successes of the FCC's previous ITI Regional Workshop and
Roundtables, held in Reno, Nevada, in July 2003, in Rapid City, South
Dakota, in May of 2004, and on the Coeur d'Alene Tribe's Reservation in
Idaho in November of 2004.

**The "ITI-NCAI" Program**

Hosted in the context of the trust relationship shared by the FCC and
Tribal Nations, this event is designed to increase the understanding of
essential telecom and broadcast issues and policies affecting Indian
Country and to increase the intergovernmental consultation with Tribal
Nations. Regional specific issues will be examined in interactive,
solution-oriented sessions targeting how infrastructure deployment,
emerging technologies, strategic planning and government programs can be
used to benefit Tribal communities. "ITI-NCAI" is designed to increase
the understanding of essential telecom and broadcast deployment issues
and policies affecting Indian Country and to increase the
intergovernmental consultation with Tribal Nations.

The Workshop on July 28 is designed to provide clear, practical
information that Tribal Nations can use to prioritize their economic
development goals and telecom and broadcast deployment agendas.
"ITI-NCAI" will examine issues involving development of broadband
services, accessing wireless spectrum, universal service support
regulations involving Tribal governments, radio broadcasting, and
homeland security and public safety communications planning, among other
subjects.

The July 29 Roundtable, hosted by NCAI and the FCC's Consumer &
Governmental Affairs Bureau, will provide an interactive consultative
opportunity for federal officials and Tribal representatives to discuss
telecommunications needs and priorities, and Commission rules, programs,
and policies affecting Tribal lands. The "ITI-NCAI" Roundtable will
provide an opportunity for Tribes to discuss priorities in regional and
national telecommunications policy making efforts and local Tribal
efforts to deploy effective telecommunications systems and increase
subscribership.

**Registration for "ITI-NCAI" and More Information**

Tribal leaders and representatives, and planning and economic
development managers are encouraged to attend. Telecommunications
industry representatives are welcome to attend these intergovernmental
meetings. To register for the ITI-NCAI Regional Workshop and Roundtable,
or to obtain additional information, please call 1-888-CALL-FCC
(1-888-225-5322) press number 5 and follow the prompts to leave your
full contact information, call 202-418-2513, fax 202-418-1414, or e-mail
your full contact information to <iti-info@fcc.gov>.

The Embassy Suites Hotel is located at 1000 Woodward Place NE in
Albuquerque. Participants can make reservations online at
[www.embassysuites.com](http://www.embassysuites.com/) or by calling
1-800-EMBASSY. The hotel's direct telephone number is 505-245-7100.

For more information on the ITI-NCAI Regional Workshop and Roundtable
please contact Geoffrey Blackwell, FCC Office of Intergovernmental
Affairs at 202-418-8192, <geoffrey.blackwell@fcc.gov>; or Ginger Clark,
FCC Office of Intergovernmental Affairs at 202-418-2050,
[ginger.clark@fcc.gov](mailto:dan.rumelt@fcc.gov). Updates and further
information will also be made available on the FCC's Tribal Initiatives
website at: <http://www.fcc.gov/indians>.

**THE "ITI-NCAI" REGIONAL WORKSHOP AND ROUNDTABLE AGENDA:**

Federal Communications Commission

Indian Telecommunications Initiatives

FCC-NCAI ITI REGIONAL WORKSHOP

AND ROUNDTABLE

Embassy Suites Hotel Albuquerque

Sandia Ballroom I-III

Albuquerque, New Mexico

July 28-29, 2005

[Workshop Agenda -- July 28, 2005]{.underline}

8:00 AM Registration

8:30 AM [OPENING]{.underline}

Master of Ceremonies Geoffrey C. Blackwell (Muscogee (Creek) Nation)

> Senior Attorney and Liaison to Tribal Governments

Office of Intergovernmental Affairs

> Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, FCC

Opening Invocation Amadeo Shije (Zia Pueblo)

Chairman

All Indian Pueblo Council

8:45 AM [WELCOMING REMARKS]{.underline}

Amadeo Shije (Zia Pueblo)

Chairman

All Indian Pueblo Council

> The Honorable Joe Garcia
>
> Governor, San Juan Pueblo

First Vice President, National Congress of American Indians

> Daniel Gonzalez
>
> Chief of Staff, Office of Chairman Kevin J. Martin
>
> Federal Communications Commission

9:15 --9:45 AM [KEYNOTE ADDRESS]{.underline}

> The Honorable Michael J. Copps
>
> Commissioner
>
> Federal Communications Commission

9:45--11:15 AM

> [KEY ISSUES IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF TRIBAL COMMUNICATIONS
> SERVICES]{.underline}
>
> Presentations by Tribal leadership and administrative officials, the
> New Mexico Public Regulation Commission, and a Tribal broadcasters
> association on issues that impact decision-making and goals in
> tribally-driven telecom and broadcast solutions, designed to lay a
> foundation for further discussion of the key communications matters
> impacting Indian Country. Topics will include:

-   Governance and administration of Tribal community and economic
    growth projects through deployment of telecommunications and
    broadcast services

-   Policies and programs that facilitate deployment and create
    incentives to work with Tribal governments and provide services in
    Indian Country

-   Viewpoints on establishing successful Tribal broadcasting entities

-   Perspectives on the application of tribal sovereign authority and
    abilities and relative regulatory roles in the development of Tribal
    communications projects

-   Potential impacts of Homeland Security and Public Safety
    interoperability policies and initiatives on existing and future
    Tribal telecom infrastructure deployment

> Moderator: The Honorable Joe Garcia
>
> Governor, San Juan Pueblo
>
> First Vice President, National Congress of American Indians
>
> The Honorable Nora McDowell
>
> Chairperson, Fort Mojave Indian Tribe
>
> The Honorable Lynda M. Lovejoy (Navajo Nation)
>
> Commissioner, New Mexico Public Regulation Commission
>
> Ben Standifer, Jr. (Tohono O'odham Nation)
>
> Chief Information Officer, Tohono O'odham Nation
>
> Loris Ann Taylor (Hopi Tribe)
>
> Executive Director, Center for Native American Public Radio

11:15--11:30 PM [MORNING BREAK]{.underline}

11:30--1:00 PM

> [WIRELESS SPECTRUM: ACQUIRING LICENSED SPECTRUM AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF
> TRIBAL PROJECTS IN LICENSED AND UNLICENSED SPECTRUM]{.underline}
>
> Presentations by FCC officials and Tribal telecom project
> representatives addressing multiple ways of accessing spectrum for the
> provision of wireless services. Topics will include:

-   The FCC's spectrum auction processes and strategies for secondary
    markets access to spectrum, including partitioning, disaggregation,
    and leasing

-   Viewpoints of Tribal technology project planners on infrastructure
    siting goals and the integration wireless solutions with
    complementary solution platforms

-   Practical perspectives of Tribal planners and government
    representatives operating unlicensed wireless networks and seeking
    licensed spectrum through secondary markets

Moderator: Sue McNeil

> Acting Deputy Chief, Outreach and Intergovernmental Affairs
>
> Chief, Office of Intergovernmental Affairs
>
> Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, FCC
>
> Paul Murray
>
> Acting Legal Advisor, Office of the Bureau Chief
>
> Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, FCC
>
> Madonna Peltier Yawakie (Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa)
>
> President & CEO, Turtle Island Communications, Inc.
>
> Engineering and project management consultants,
>
> Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Telecommunications Project
>
> Steve Cooper
>
> Director, Technology Opportunity Project
>
> Santa Ana Pueblo
>
> Michael Peralta (Rincon Band of Luiseno Indians)
>
> Network Administrator, Tribal Digital Village Network
>
> Southern California Tribal Chairman's Association

1:00--2:00 PM [LUNCH BREAK]{.underline}

2:00--3:45 PM

> [TRIBAL BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT; TECHNOLOGY OPTIONS AND KEY
> ISSUES]{.underline}
>
> Presentations by federal government, tribal government, tribal telecom
> industry and Tribal telecom policy representatives on the fundamental
> issues that shape how advanced high speed services can be delivered in
> Indian Country through various technology platforms. Topics will
> include:

-   The current regulatory environment, and key issues of interest to
    Indian Country

-   Technology Options to deliver broadband services for a variety of
    tribal government and community applications

-   Effective federal and non-federal funding mechanisms

-   Growth planning strategies, such as demand aggregation, and
    partnerships that are essential to robust broadband deployment on
    Tribal lands

> Moderator: Geoffrey C. Blackwell (Muscogee (Creek) Nation)
>
> Senior Attorney and Liaison to Tribal Governments
>
> Office of Intergovernmental Affairs
>
> Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, FCC
>
> Pam Slipakoff
>
> Senior Attorney, Telecommunications Access Policy Division
>
> Wireline Competition Bureau, FCC
>
> Harry Hutson
>
> General Field Representative
>
> Southwest Region, Rural Utilities Service
>
> U. S. Department of Agriculture
>
> Godfrey Enjady (Mescalero Apache Tribe)

General Manager, Mescalero Apache Telecom, Inc.

> Co-Chair, National Congress of American Indians Telecommunications
>
> Subcommittee
>
> Valerie Fast Horse (Coeur d'Alene Tribe)
>
> Director, Information Technology Department, Coeur d'Alene Tribe
>
> Co-Chair, Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians Telecommunications
>
> and Utilities Subcommittee
>
> Kade Twist (Cherokee Nation)
>
> Vice President, Native Networking Policy Center

3:45--4:00 PM [AFTERNOON BREAK]{.underline}

4:00--5:00 PM

[UNIVERSAL SERVICE FUND PROGRAMS AND REGULATIONS]{.underline}

> Presentations by FCC and Universal Service Administrative Company
> representatives on Universal Service Fund programs in Indian County.
> Topics will include:

-   New rules and recommended guidelines for Eligible Telecommunications
    Carrier designations, including rules providing for consultation
    with Tribal governments

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-   An overview of High Cost Loop Support and how it is utilized to
    provide telecommunications services on Tribal Lands

-   Rural Health Care and Schools and Libraries regulatory rules and
    program applications on Tribal lands

-   New eligibility and certification rules for the Low Income Lifeline
    and Link-Up programs and how to coordinate low-income program
    outreach on Tribal Lands

> Moderator: Sue McNeil
>
> Acting Deputy Chief, Outreach and Intergovernmental Affairs
>
> Chief, Office of Intergovernmental Affairs
>
> Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, FCC
>
> Pam Slipakoff
>
> Senior Attorney, Telecommunications Access Policy Division
>
> Wireline Competition Bureau, FCC
>
> Ta'Nea Davis
>
> Assistant Manager, Low Income Program
>
> Universal Service Administrative Company
>
> Geoffrey C. Blackwell (Muscogee (Creek) Nation)
>
> Senior Attorney and Liaison to Tribal Governments
>
> Office of Intergovernmental Affairs
>
> Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, FCC

5:00 PM [WORKSHOP WRAP-UP AND NEXT STEPS]{.underline}

> Sue McNeil
>
> Acting Deputy Chief, Outreach and Intergovernmental Affairs
>
> Chief, Office of Intergovernmental Affairs
>
> Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, FCC

5:10 PM [RECESS]{.underline}

Federal Communications Commission

Indian Telecommunications Initiatives

FCC-NCAI ITI REGIONAL WORKSHOP

AND ROUNDTABLE

Embassy Suites Hotel Albuquerque

Sandia Ballroom I-III

Albuquerque, New Mexico

July 28-29, 2005

[Roundtable Session Agenda -- July 29, 2005]{.underline}

An open-forum interactive session organized in one hour segments to
focus dialogue on specific topics involving telecom rules and policies,
practical deployment issues, and intergovernmental consultation
strategies. The roundtable will also include discussion of objectives,
performance measures, and potential partnerships relating to
telecommunications deployment on tribal lands

8:30 AM [INTRODUCTORY REMARKS]{.underline}

> Sue McNeil
>
> Acting Deputy Chief, Outreach and Intergovernmental Affairs
>
> Chief, Office of Intergovernmental Affairs
>
> Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, FCC

8:40 AM [OVERVIEW OF ROUNDTABLE SESSION FORMAT]{.underline}

> Geoffrey C. Blackwell (Muscogee (Creek) Nation)
>
> Senior Attorney and Liaison to Tribal Governments

Office of Intergovernmental Affairs

> Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, FCC

8:50 AM [MESSAGE FROM COMMISSIONER JONATHAN S. ADELSTEIN]{.underline}

Scott Bergmann

Legal Advisor for Wireline Issues

Office of Commissioner Jonathan S. Adelstein

Federal Communications Commission

9:00 AM [ITI ROUNDTABLE SESSION]{.underline}

> [Roundtable Leader]{.underline} The Honorable Joe Garcia
>
> [and Facilitator:]{.underline} Governor, San Juan Pueblo
>
> First Vice President, National Congress of
>
> American Indians
>
> Roundtable segments:

-   Federal and Tribal Broadband Policy Approaches

-   Universal Service Programs and Rules, and Communications Development
    Resource Planning

-   Effectuating government-to-government tribal consultation on FCC
    rules and processes, including the FCC's new rules on ETC
    designations on Tribal lands

12:45 PM [ROUNDTABLE WRAP-UP, NEXT STEPS AND CLOSING
REMARKS]{.underline}

> Sue McNeil
>
> Acting Deputy Chief, Outreach and Intergovernmental Affairs
>
> Chief, Office of Intergovernmental Affairs
>
> Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau, FCC

12:55 PM [CLOSING PRAYER]{.underline}

1:00 PM [ADJOURN]{.underline}

\*FCC\*