*Pages 1--2 from Microsoft Word - 37397* PUBLIC NOTICE Federal Communications Commission 445 12 th St., S. W. Washington, D. C. 20554 News Media Information 202 / 418- 0500 Internet: http:// www. fcc. gov TTY: 1- 888- 835- 5322 DA 04- 979 April 8, 2004 FCC TO HOST INDIAN TELECOMMUNICATIONS INITIATIVES RAPID CITY REGIONAL WORKSHOP AND ROUNDTABLE MAY 26- 27, 2004, IN RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA National Tribal Telecommunications Association, Tribal Representatives and FCC to Participate in “ITI Rapid City” Intergovernmental Workshop and Roundtable Discussion Washington, D. C. - As part of the FCC’s Indian Telecommunications Initiatives program (ITI), and in cooperation with the National Tribal Telecommunications Association, an organization of Tribally- owned, operated and regulated telephone companies, the FCC will host its second Regional Workshop and Roundtable on May 26 and 27 at the Rushmore Plaza Civic Center in downtown Rapid City, SD. The event is free of charge to registrants. Tribal leaders and representatives, planning and economic development managers are encouraged to attend. ITI Rapid City is designed to increase the understanding of essential telecommunications issues and policies affecting Indian Country and to increase the intergovernmental consultation with American Indian Tribes and Alaska Native Villages on telecommunications issues and policies. Issues important to telecommunications deployment on tribal lands will be examined. Subjects addressed will also highlight opportunities for increased economic growth, consumer choice, and homeland security planning. The event will build upon the successes of the FCC’s first ITI Regional Workshop and Roundtable, held in Reno, Nevada, in July 2003 and attended by over 100 representatives of 28 Tribes from North Carolina to Alaska. With ITI Rapid City, the FCC seeks to promote and encourage increased substantive dialogue to further working relationships with Tribal governments, Tribal organizations, and the telecommunications industry. Access to telecommunications services is critical to the successful development of all communities. Among other benefits, telecommunications access enhances educational and learning opportunities through access to the Internet; employment and business opportunities; public safety services, including access to emergency services and long distance medical services; and access to government services. The ITI Rapid City Program The Workshop on May 26 will address telecommunications issues facing Indian Country with the goal of providing clear, practical information that Tribal leaders and decision- makers can use to prioritize their Tribal economic goals and telecommunications development agendas. Regional specific issues will be examined and interactive solution- oriented sessions will target how fundamental telecom infrastructure 1 information, emerging and different technologies, regulatory rules, and government programs can be used to benefit Tribal communities. The May 27 Roundtable will provide an interactive consultative meeting opportunity for federal officials and Tribal leaders, representatives and organizations to discuss Tribal telecommunications needs and priorities, and Commission rules, programs, and policies affecting telecommunications services in Indian Country. This Roundtable will build upon the presentations and discussions of the Workshop, and will be hosted by the FCC’s Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau in the context of the trust relationship shared by the FCC and the Tribes. The FCC’s Indian Telecommunications Initiatives The FCC’s ITI is comprehensive program that seeks to promote understanding, cooperation and trust among Tribes and Tribal organizations; the FCC and other governmental agencies; and the telecommunications industry. The ITI program seeks to build partnerships, identify potential solutions, and bring affordable, quality telecommunications services to Indian Country. The ITI program’s goals - to increase the telephone penetration rate; facilitate the deployment of telecommunications infrastructure on tribal lands; and inform Tribes about federal government programs, including Universal Service Fund programs - are undertaken in Indian Country by the FCC through targeted and effective Tribal outreach, coordination and consultation. The FCC’s Office of Intergovernmental Affairs The Office of Intergovernmental Affairs (IGA) is within the FCC’s Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau and is responsible for coordinating the FCC’s Tribal government outreach and consultation. IGA is also responsible for state and local government outreach, coordination, and partnering with other federal agencies on communications issues. IGA staff is comprised of attorneys and policy analysts with diverse experience from across the FCC, the telecommunications industry and Indian Country. IGA is coordinating ITI Rapid City planning with several other FCC Bureaus and Offices. For further information on IGA, please contact IGA Director Sue McNeil at 202- 418- 7619, sue. mcneil@ fcc. gov, or Senior Attorney and FCC Liaison to Tribal Governments Geoffrey Blackwell at 202- 418- 8192, geoffrey. blackwell@ fcc. gov. Registration for ITI Rapid City and More Information Tribal leaders and representatives, planning and economic development managers are encouraged to attend. To register for the FCC’s ITI Rapid City Regional Workshop and Roundtable, or to obtain additional information, please call 1- 888- CALL- FCC (1- 888- 225- 5322) press number 4 and follow the prompts, call 202- 418- 2513, fax 202- 418- 1414, or e- mail itirapidcity@ fcc. gov. For more information on the FCC’s ITI Rapid City Regional Workshop and Roundtable please contact Geoffrey Blackwell, FCC Office of Intergovernmental Affairs at 202- 418- 8192, geoffrey. blackwell@ fcc. gov; or Dan Rumelt, FCC Consumer Affairs and Outreach Division at 202- 418- 7512, 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. . 2