By Rosalind Russell – The Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory is opening a state-of-the-art data centre at the Wiikwemkoong Administration Building.
Ogimaa Tim Ominika says the centre marks a major milestone in the community’s journey toward data sovereignty, empowering the band to take control of their own digital infrastructure and information systems.
He adds that by investing in their digital infrastructure, they are reclaiming the way their stories, knowledge, and data are protected and shared.
Ominika says it also opens doors for youth to see themselves in the world of science, technology, and innovation, highlighting the growing importance of Anishinaabe voices in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math).
Beyond safeguarding their data, he says the data centre will create new employment opportunities in fields such as IT, cybersecurity, and system maintenance, fostering skills development and economic growth.
A data centre is a secure facility that is designed to house servers, and computing systems. This is responsible for storing, managing, and accessing digital information. Data centres serve as the backbone of modern digital communication and services— powering essential functions like email, records management, websites.
Photos and videos provided … Group photo (left to right): Landen Harasym, Peter Mhiingan, Morgan Hudson, Jacob Pitawanakwat, Michael McCormick (Chief Technical Officer), Jake Wabano, Cole Campbell, Shelley Trudeau ( E’minzhaandang/Chief Executive Officer), Ogimaa Tim Ominika).
The arrival of the data centre took coordination because of its size, especially when being driven over the Swing Bridge in Little Current .
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