Bridging the Digital Divide with the TTL

By: Ken Motamed

The Tulalip Technology Leap (TTL) project was conceived almost a year ago to catapult the Tulalip Tribes into the Information Age. The project aims to provide the Tribes with the latest in computing technology. More important, it aspires to train tribal members and employees so they can maintain the computing and telecommunications network once it is in place. Although providing tribal homes with computing technology is the most widely publicized aspect of this project, TTL also aims to improve business processes of the Tulalip Tribes by converting paper forms to electronic files. There are several advantages to this "automation:"

• Information can be collected much more efficiently. There will be fewer forms to fill out since the same information does not have to be collected more than once.
• Data in electronic form can be easily transmitted from one department to another. The ease with which information is shared will speed up all processes and cut costs.
• Volumes of useful information can be made available to tribal members and employees through a website that is being designed as part of this project. This information will range from the tribal newspaper to the tribal ordinances.

The TTL project has focused its attention on the following six areas:

1. governmental affairs;
2. economic and community development;
3. human resources;
4. health services;
5. natural resources;
6. and cultural resources.

We, a group of students, professors, and staff at the University of Washington-Bothell and Everett Community College, have been going around the reservation speaking to tribal employees. We are attempting to learn as much as possible about the current state of computing technology and the future computing needs on the reservation. Given the scale of the TTL project, it is essential that sufficient time and effort is spent on the initial phase-analysis and design. Good design ensures that the system will perform as intended, and will be easy and inexpensive to maintain. The design phase is scheduled to be completed by the end of December. The duration of the implementation phase will depend on the availability of funds, and is estimated to be at least two years.

A critical prerequisite for implementing the TTL project is a technology infrastructure-a computer and telecommunications network. In order to design this network, floor plans were needed for all buildings. In many instances, however, these floor plans did not exist, or were outdated. Some of you may have seen us with tape measures and clipboards at various buildings constructing these floor plans.

The TTL project has already provided great learning opportunities. We have learned from and enjoyed our interactions with tribal members and employees. Being in contact with traditions that cherish relationships and respect the environment has provided a refreshing change from the occasionally impersonal world of computing technology.

We would like to thank everyone who has taken time to speak with us and provide us with information. The information we are collecting is essential to the success of the TTL project. We hope our frequent visits have not caused much inconvenience. We strongly believe that the TTL project will result in technological advances that will improve the lives of tribal members for generations to come. These advances will also make it easier to preserve and perpetuate the rich Tulalip traditions.

Stay tuned for other installments in the series of articles on the TTL project. The TTL Coordinating Center is located at the south classroom of the Tulalip Education Center, and we can be reached at 360-716-5100.