Our Impact
Increasing economic growth & prosperity.
Improving Access
Over the last 20 years, Driftwood has worked with and provided telecommunications services to over 10 First Nations, representing over 20,000 individuals.
Connecting the Coast
The Connected Coast project will bring new or improved high-speed internet services to 48 Indigenous communities, representing 44 First Nations, along the BC coast.
Going the Distance
No community is too remote. We bring our expertise to communities as far as Haines Junction, Yukon, which is 2650 kilometres away from our headquarters in Saanichton, BC.
How We Work with You
Facilitating connectivity in your community.
We work closely with First Nations communities to design, draft, and install the infrastructure critical for economic growth, educational opportunities, and overall prosperity. Our approach is guided by our recognition of Indigenous sovereignty and our commitment to reconciliation.
1. Preliminary Consultations
We engage early and often with communities to build solid relationships based on trust and respect, on a shared understanding of issues, and on transparent, two-way communication and problem solving. Through these early consultations, we work to understand your community’s specific needs, the scope of work, and how we can achieve these goals together. We then present our preliminary design and costs, ensuring there’s buy-in from the larger community. Throughout, our aim is to ensure the voices of the community’s leadership, elders, youth, and other members are heard.
2. Successful Broadband Grant Applications
Our consulting team is here to partner with your community to help navigate the complex world of government grant applications, permitting, and third-party access agreements to facilitate your community’s rightful access to broadband connectivity. Let us be your valued trusted partner to gain the funding you need to truly be a connected community.
3. Construction and Activation
Once the plan is in place, the appropriate teams are deployed to carry out the design, construction, activation, and testing. We offer employment opportunities to the community and can provide additional training and ongoing support after the completion of the project.
4. Fostering Relationships
Driftwood has had the privilege of working with several First Nations communities/businesses over the years including the following:
- Westbank First Nations
- Snuneymuxw First Nation
- Ts’kw’aylaxw First Nation
- Nooaitch First Nation
- Klahoose First Nation
- Ditidaht First Nation
- Tsawout First Nation
As a company, we are committed to ensuring our workforce fairly reflects all of the people of Western Canada, and we strive to create an environment where everyone can succeed, free of systemic barriers.
With deep respect, we acknowledge the unceded territory of the Tsawout First Nation upon whose ancestral territories our head office resides as well as the many sacred lands on which our company works. We have proudly offered our financial support to the Tsawout First Nation’s project “Raising the Big House” and to the Victoria Native Friendship Centre.
