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# Broadband Breakfast on March 20, 2024 - Tribal Broadband: A Status Update
- URL: https://broadbandbreakfast.com/broadband-breakfast-on-march-20-2024-tribal-broadband-a-status-update/
- Published: 2023-12-22T01:07:00.000Z
- Updated: 2025-07-22T16:10:06.000Z
- Description: What's the status of tribal broadband connectivity in anticipation of the NTIA's second funding round?
- Author: Matthew Rantanen
- Tags: Broadband Live, Tribal, Linnea Jackson, Lisa Youvella, Matthew Rantenen, Southern California Tribal Chairmen's Association, Tribal Digital Village, Hopi Telecommunications, Hoopa Valley Tribal Council, Hoopa Valley Public Utilities District, Broadband Breakfast, Tribal Ready, Adam Geisler

As the NTIA prepares to dole out most of the remaining funds for its Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program, totaling over $900 million for the second round, now is the time for a status update on tribal broadband connectivity. Are the funds being channeled to the areas most in need? What lessons can be drawn from the first funding round? How does the program tie in with other initiatives such as the Middle Mile and Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment programs? What comes after this final round?

[Tribal Broadband Faces Unique Challenges, Opportunities, Experts SayIssues include the high costs of building infrastructure, the need for tribal sovereignty, and the importance of partnering with tribes.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/97/29976d9d-89ea-4c77-8c0b-0e8a0eafed35/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/08/breakfast_media_llc_logo.jpeg)Broadband BreakfastBroadband Breakfast![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/97/29976d9d-89ea-4c77-8c0b-0e8a0eafed35/content/images/2024/03/tribal-2.jpg)](https://broadbandbreakfast.com/tribal-broadband-faces-unique-challenges-opportunities-experts-say/)

### *Panelists*

- **Matthew Rantanen**, Director of Technology, Southern California Tribal Chairmen's Association, Tribal Digital Village
- **Linnea Jackson**, General Manager, Hoopa Valley Public Utilities District (HVPUD)
- **Melissa M. Kookesh** *,* Tribal Liaison*,* Alaska Broadband Office
- **Lisa Youvella**, Telecom Services Coordinator, Hopi Telecom
- **Adam Geisler**, President and Chief Operating Officer, Tribal Ready
- **Drew Clark** (moderator), Editor and Publisher, Broadband Breakfast

### *Panelist resources:*

[NTIA Extends Tribal Broadband Application WindowTribal governments can now submit proposals through March 22, 2024, rather than January 23.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/97/29976d9d-89ea-4c77-8c0b-0e8a0eafed35/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/08/breakfast_media_llc_logo.jpeg)Broadband BreakfastJake Neenan![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/97/29976d9d-89ea-4c77-8c0b-0e8a0eafed35/content/images/size/w1200/2024/01/Tribal-BB-istock-image-laptop-rocket.jpg)](https://broadbandbreakfast.com/ntia-extends-tribal-broadband-application-window/)

[Tribal Providers Say They Rely on ACP to Connect CommunitiesThe fund is set to run dry in 2024.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/97/29976d9d-89ea-4c77-8c0b-0e8a0eafed35/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/08/breakfast_media_llc_logo.jpeg)Broadband BreakfastJake Neenan![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/97/29976d9d-89ea-4c77-8c0b-0e8a0eafed35/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/cleanshot-2023-10-30-at-14.53.18-2x.png)](https://broadbandbreakfast.com/tribal-providers-say-they-rely-on-acp-to-connect-communities/)

[GAO Wants NTIA Feedback to Tribes Receiving Smaller Broadband GrantsFeedback could help Tribes improve future funding applications and expand broadband infrastructure.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/97/29976d9d-89ea-4c77-8c0b-0e8a0eafed35/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/08/breakfast_media_llc_logo.jpeg)Broadband BreakfastJake Neenan![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/97/29976d9d-89ea-4c77-8c0b-0e8a0eafed35/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/d9mx79zw4aewn4j.jpg)](https://broadbandbreakfast.com/gao-wants-ntia-feedback-to-tribes-receiving-smaller-broadband-grants/)

[Tribes Must Be Ready to Challenge State Broadband Maps: Tribal ReadyTribes needs to be prepared to approach states on what coverage data is not included in state maps.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/97/29976d9d-89ea-4c77-8c0b-0e8a0eafed35/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/08/breakfast_media_llc_logo.jpeg)Broadband BreakfastTeralyn Whipple![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/97/29976d9d-89ea-4c77-8c0b-0e8a0eafed35/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/ej.jpg)](https://broadbandbreakfast.com/tribes-must-be-ready-to-challenge-state-broadband-maps-tribal-ready/)

[Tribal Nations Face Challenges in Accessing and Maximizing Funding: Connected America ConferenceThe lengthy grant application process can be a barrier for Tribes with limited resources.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/97/29976d9d-89ea-4c77-8c0b-0e8a0eafed35/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/08/breakfast_media_llc_logo.jpeg)Broadband BreakfastEm McPhie![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/97/29976d9d-89ea-4c77-8c0b-0e8a0eafed35/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/tribal-nations-federal-funding-broadband-e1680295445398.jpg)](https://broadbandbreakfast.com/tribal-nations-face-challenges-in-accessing-and-maximizing-funding-connected-america-conference/)

[Rural Assembly Paints Dire Picture About Lack of Broadband, Impact of Coronavirus in Indian CountryApril 24, 2020—A host of guests at the Rural Assembly webinar on Wednesday painted a grim picture of the state of broadband in rural and tribal life. The webinar, titled “Has the government’s response been accurate?” attempted to answer that question related these often- forgotten communities. “The connectivity is not where it needs to be \[…\]![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/97/29976d9d-89ea-4c77-8c0b-0e8a0eafed35/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/08/breakfast_media_llc_logo.jpeg)Broadband BreakfastDavid Jelke![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/97/29976d9d-89ea-4c77-8c0b-0e8a0eafed35/content/images/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/rural-assembly-paints-dire-picture-about-lack-of-broadband-impact-of-coronavirus-in-indian-country.jpg)](https://broadbandbreakfast.com/rural-assembly-paints-dire-picture-about-lack-of-broadband-impact-of-coronavirus-in-indian-country/)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/97/29976d9d-89ea-4c77-8c0b-0e8a0eafed35/content/images/2024/03/matthew-rantanen.jpeg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/97/29976d9d-89ea-4c77-8c0b-0e8a0eafed35/content/images/2024/03/linnea-jackson.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/97/29976d9d-89ea-4c77-8c0b-0e8a0eafed35/content/images/2024/03/Melissa-M.-Kookesh.jpg)

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/97/29976d9d-89ea-4c77-8c0b-0e8a0eafed35/content/images/2024/03/lyouvella.jpg)

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![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/97/29976d9d-89ea-4c77-8c0b-0e8a0eafed35/content/images/2024/03/Drew-Clark-Small-Photo.jpg)

**Matthew Rantanen** is director of technology for the Southern California Tribal Chairmen's Association, Tribal Digital Village for the last 23 years, working with 109 Tribes in CA aligning them with the CA state Middle Mile Broadband Initiative, Co-Founder of the Tribal Broadband Bootcamps. Matthew, of Cree (First Nations, Canada), Finnish, and Norwegian descent, has been described by his peers as a "cyber warrior for Tribal community networking." 

**Linnea Jackson** is a member of the Hoopa Valley Tribe in Northern California. For over 4 years, she has served as General Manager for the Hoopa Valley Public Utilities District (HVPUD). HVPUD’s mission is to provide utility services that advance tribal strategies to grow economic development, build a strong foundation of utility infrastructure, and ensure a framework for quality growth and expansion on the Hoopa Valley Indian Reservation and aboriginal territory. HVPUD manages the Tribe’s domestic and irrigation water systems, solid waste management, utility construction services, broadband and energy initiatives. Linnea’s goal is to help the tribe meet its resiliency goals, help strengthen tribal energy sovereignty and help our region meet climate adaptation goals and to help protect ourenvironment and cultural resources for generations to come.

**Melissa M. Kookesh** serves as the Tribal Liaison for the Alaska Broadband Office which is housed under the State of Alaska’s Department of Commerce, Community and Economic Development. Melissa was brought on to serve as the Tribal Liaison between the Alaska Broadband Office and Alaska’s 400 plus Native entities including the 229 federally recognized Tribes, Alaska Native Regional Non-Profit Organizations and the ANCSA Village and Regional Corporations. In her role she is also responsible for continuity of collaboration with Tribal partners regarding Digital Equity and the Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment. 

**Lisa Youvella** has been working in telecommunications going on 15 years next month. She has a broad understanding in bringing phone and internet to very rural tribal lands and what knowing our tribal people need the services. She works hand in hand with customers, the community and organizations to see how this all can be possible.

**Adam Geisler** is the President and Chief Operating Officer of Tribal Ready Inc., a Tribally owned and governed Public Benefit Corporation. He worked at the U.S. Department of Commerce for 8 years and formally served as the Division Chief for the National Telecommunications and Information Administration Tribal Broadband Connectivity Program, deploying nearly 2 billion in funding to connect 158,000 tribal households. Tribal Ready’s mission is advancing Tribal Sovereignty to unleash the full power and potential of Native communities.

Breakfast Media LLC CEO **Drew Clark** has led the Broadband Breakfast community since 2008\. An early proponent of better broadband, better lives, he initially founded the Broadband Census crowdsourcing campaign for broadband data. As Editor and Publisher, Clark presides over the leading media company advocating for higher-capacity internet everywhere through topical, timely and intelligent coverage. Clark also served as head of the Partnership for a Connected Illinois, a state broadband initiative.

[Broadband Live - Broadband BreakfastBroadband Breakfast Live Online is a FREE broadband news webcast on broadband technology and internet policy. It takes place every Wednesday at 12 Noon ET. #broadbandlive![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/97/29976d9d-89ea-4c77-8c0b-0e8a0eafed35/content/images/size/w256h256/2023/08/breakfast_media_llc_logo.jpeg)Broadband Breakfast![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/29/97/29976d9d-89ea-4c77-8c0b-0e8a0eafed35/content/images/size/w1200/2023/12/home-page-bblo.png)](https://broadbandbreakfast.com/tag/broadbandlive/)