Official Partners

Arctic Village Council

Council of Athabascan Tribal Governments (CATG)

Doyon Foundation

GCI.net

Gary Moore, Consultant

Nulato City Council

The NUMI Group

University of Alaska Fairbanks, School of Management (UAFSOM)

University of Alaska Anchorage, TechPrep Initiative (TechPrep)

Yukon Flats School District (YFSD)

Yukon Koyukuk School District

The Partnership Rationale

[The following paragraphs are excerpted from the grant proposal.]

The interconnected nature of the project goals, activities, and partner roles is a reflection of the holistic approach which the Partnership will take in the planning and implementing of a model which, like the various subsistence cultures of Native Alaska, is organic, multifaceted, and malleable.  All partners will be actively involved in the implementation of all aspects of the project, and each will carry out specific activities throughout its three-year term.  Moreover, activities often will overlap across more than one of the three stated project goals. 

Philadelphia University (PhilaU) is uniquely positioned to serve as the leading institution of this Partnership given its historic focus on workforce training and development. Since its founding in 1884, the University’s mission has been focused on professional studies to prepare graduates for successful careers in marketing/merchandising, computer science, business, and e-commerce.  The breadth and depth of the University’s curriculum attracts approximately 2,200 full time students and 1,200 part-time students from 38 states and 42 other nations.  The multidisciplinary University faculty, with expertise in e-commerce, merchandizing, instructional technology, and human geography/community planning, makes the University particularly well suited for planning and implementing this multifaceted innovation project. 

Recognizing that the transfer technology and training requires participation of existing tribal, academic and business networks, the University has partnered with the following institutions:

GCI.net (GCI) is Alaska’s premier Internet Service Provider.  Founded in 1979, GCI introduced long-distance competition to Alaska and has since grown to be one of the nation's premier integrated telecommunication providers. The company employs 1,100 Alaskans and has a current run rate of $357 million.  GCI has a 45 percent share of the state's long-distance market, and is the state's largest provider of Internet services with dial-up, cable modem, wireless, digital subscriber line (DSL) and dedicated access.  In 2004-2005, GCI has made a commitment of investing several million additional dollars in an ongoing effort to bring dial-up Internet access to virtually every household in Alaskan Native rural communities throughout the state. To this end, GCI will provide this Partnership with essential curricula, hardware, software, expertise, and internships.  

The University of Alaska Fairbanks School of Management (UAFSOM) will be the Partnership’s leading Alaskan academic institution, and will be involved in every aspect of planning, implementing and monitoring the success of the training modules.  UAFSOM’s expertise in micro-business development  will play a key role in  the village businesses and e-commerce activities, and will be a resource for business growth following project completion.  Alongside Philadelphia University, other relevant UAF faculty and personnel will work with UAFSOM in the creation and dissemination of course work in information technology and professional development.  Faculty members are familiar with native customs and language and will assist in developing the workshop modules sensitive to local cultural perspectives. 

The University of Alaska Anchorage TechPrep Initiative (TechPrep) will assist in the creation and refinement of articulation agreements for project pertinent technology and business courses taught at the high school, community college and 4-year university levels.  The Yukon Flats (YFSD) and Yukon Koyukuk  (YKSD) School Districts (K-12) will integrate the high school learning technology modules to promote individualized instruction, keyboard skills and introductory workforce training skills. This training of the next generation will be one of the most significant factors in sustaining this technological innovation in the Interior region. The Districts will also promote adult technology instruction. 

Among the governmental organizations partnering in this effort are the Arctic Village Local Council (AVLC), the Nulato City Council (NCC) and the Council of Athabascan Tribal Governments (CATG). These native organizations provide vital political and cultural support to the project.  As centers of Alaskan Native leadership and development seeking to further the interests of their constituent communities, these councils hold particularly strong vested interests in the successful implementation of this economic and social development program. 

One additional private sector corporation, First Alaskan Management & Marketing, Inc. (FAMM), located in Fairbanks, will offer ongoing assistance and professional guidance to those conducting e-commerce and website cultural content development outside of their isolated environs.