News
- February 2, 2022: In a Public Notice, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced the appointment of eight new Tribal members to the FCC's Native Nations Communications Task Force.
- June 28, 2021: In a Public Notice, the FCC announced a 12-month extension of the original three-year term current Native Nations Communications Task Force. The term, which was set to expire on October 24, 2021, will now expire on October 24, 2022. This extension takes into account the expansion of the Task Force during its current term, and will allow the expanded Task Force additional time to complete its assigned tasks.
- Dec. 31, 2020: The FCC posted a report approved on Dec. 30, 2020 by the Tribal members of its Native Nations Communications Task Force entitled "Recommendations for Improving Required Tribal Engagement Between Covered Providers and Tribal Governments" (download PDF). The report addresses how the Commission can improve engagement over the five elements required by its Universal Service Fund rules, and recommends several additional actions the Commission can take, including the provision of additional guidance, initiating changes through rulemaking and conducting educational outreach programs aimed at producing better and more effective engagement between providers and the Tribes they serve.
- May 4, 2020: Tribal Task Force Members' Letter to Chairman Pai Recommending Three-Month Extension of 2.5 GHz Rural Tribal Priority Window.
- March 31, 2020: Chairman Ajit Pai announced the appointment of nine Tribal members to the FCC’s Native Nations Communications Task Force. In addition to filling several current vacancies, the appointment of nine new Tribal members raises the total number of Tribal Task Force members from 20 to 25.
- December 4, 2019: The FCC posted a report from the Tribal members of its Native Nations Communications Task Force entitled "Improving and Increasing Broadband Deployment on Tribal Lands." The report addresses how to close the persistent digital divide between Indian country and the rest of America. It highlights Tribal success stories and provides potential solutions for policymakers that could benefit residents of Indian Country.
- August 20, 2019: By this Public Notice, the Commission extends the deadline to submit nominations to fill Tribal vacancies on the Native Nations Communications Task Force from August 26, 2019 to September 25, 2019.
- July 25, 2019: In a Public Notice, the Commission announces vacancies in the membership of it Native Nations Communications Task Force and seeks nominations. By this Public Notice the Federal Communications Commission seeks nominations to fill three Tribal vacancies on the Task Force. Members appointed by the Chairman of the Commission to fill the vacancies will serve through the end of the Task Force’s current three-year term, which runs through October 2021.
- December 3, 2018: In a Public Notice, the Commission posted a notice regarding change in First Meeting Date of Native Nations Communications Task Force.
- November 2, 2018: In a Public Notice, the Commission posted a Native Nations Communications Task Force notice regarding first meeting and ex parte status of presentations. The Task Force, composed exclusively of Tribal officials, is not subject to the procedures set forth in the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) because of an exemption provided under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA). The UMRA exemption is intended to promote the free exchange of ideas between officials of the federal government and state, local and tribal governments (or their designated employees) on matters of common interest while meeting in closed sessions. Accordingly, meetings of the Task Force are not open to the public.
- October 24, 2018: Chairman Ajit Pai announced the appointment of Tribal members and FCC members to the FCC's renewed Native Nations Communications Task Force. The Task Force is comprised of elected and appointed leaders, or their designees, from a broad cross section of Native Nations, as well as senior staff and decision-makers from across the Commission. Chairman Pai also named Matthew Duchesne, Chief of the Commission's Office of Native Affairs and Policy, as Co-Chair. The Task Force helps the Commission fulfill its commitment to increase access to broadband and other communications infrastructure deployment and services on Tribal lands.
- February 8, 2018: The Commission issued a Public Notice announcing the renewal and renaming of the Task Force and seeking nominations for membership from Tribal Nations. Originally created in 2011 as the Native Nations Broadband Task Force, the Task Force was renamed to reflect its involvement in issues including, but also reaching beyond, broadband deployment. Members serve for three years.
- October 28, 2014: Chairman Tom Wheeler named 31 members to the FCC-Native Nations Broadband Task Force, representing 20 Tribal Nations and 11 Bureaus and Offices within the Federal Communications Commission. Chairman Wheeler also re-named Mr. Blackwell the federal co-chair of the Task Force.
- May 15, 2014: The Commission issued a Public Notice seeking nominations for Tribal Government representation to serve on the FCC-Native Nations Broadband Task Force. In reinvigorating the Task Force, the Commission seeks to fill vacancies due to attrition, increase representation of certain regions, and balance the subject matter expertise of the Task Force. The Commission is particularly interested in applicants with diverse professional experience and backgrounds in broadband, telecommunications, broadcast, and technology infrastructure deployment and adoption.
- March 3, 2011: Chairman Julius Genachowski named 30 members to the FCC-Native Nations Broadband Task Force. The Task Force members will assist the Commission in fulfilling its commitment to increasing broadband deployment and adoption on Tribal lands. Chairman Genachowski also named Geoffrey Blackwell, Chief of the Commission’s Office of Native Affairs and Policy, as a co-chair of the Task Force. The Task Force will be comprised of elected and appointed leaders from Native Nations and senior Commission staff.
- July 24, 2010: The Commission issued a Public Notice extending the deadline to August 20, 2010 for nominations of Tribal Representatives to serve on the FCC-Native Nations Broadband Task Force. On June 2, 2010, the Commission released a Public Notice seeking nominations of Tribal representatives to serve on the Task Force. The Public Notice requested that nominations be submitted by July 15, 2010. The Commission has determined that a short extension of time to submit nominations is advisable to permit Tribal governments adequate time to complete their internal processes associated with nominating a representative to the Task Force.