Wiikwemkoong welcomes data centre to advance digital sovereignty

Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory is celebrating the installation of a new data centre at the First Nation’s administration building.

Ogimaa Tim Ominika said the idea was first presented a few years ago as a way for the First Nation to have ownership of and access to its digital infrastructure.

“It was something that was brought forth by our administration team … why can’t we look at our own data sovereignty?" Ominika said.

“Why are we relying on other outsourced vendors to, you know, have control over all of the information stored within our First Nation community?”

He said it was something he quickly supported and he’s excited to see the project come to fruition.

“From my understanding and talking to our administration staff, this is the first of its kind in any First Nation community, either provincially or nationally,” Ominika said.

“Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory -- our quote is proud, progressive and prosperous. So, you know, when we’re looking at taking that new innovative approach, it is a very unique step.”

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A data centre is a secure facility designed to house servers and computing systems. It’s responsible for storing, managing and accessing digital information.

“Currently we store we store all data in our Microsoft data storage centre in Toronto,” said Michael McCormick, Wiikwemkoong’s chief technology officer.

“But it was important for us to be able to bring that data back to our territory. So it can be a vehicle that we can use to … repatriate our data.”

Beyond safeguarding data, the hope is the new centre will create jobs.

“We’re hoping that … this will kind of invigorate our youth to kind of join the IT ranks," McCormick said.

“We’re hoping that, you know, as community members pass by and have a look … it might stimulate youth to get involved in the sector.”

While the centre is on the First Nation, he said that the data is still being moved to Wiikwemkoong from the former facility.

McCormick said that from here on out, all videos, language, apps and even traditions will be kept here for future generations.

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