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Fiber Optics to the Tipi

"Broadband Innovations" is a four-part series that highlights ground-breaking uses of broadband, and the people who are using the technology to preserve the past, reshape the future, and fulfill their dreams. One group of such people is the Ktunaxa Nation of British Columbia, Canada.

Though information technology increases global assimilation and encourages adoption of new ways of life, it also offers tools to help preserve the old.

Prior to the arrival of European settlers, the indigenous Ktunaxa people of British Columbia had a thriving culture going back 10,000 years. Following more than a century of abuse and mistreatment at the hands of the Canadian government, however, the Ktunaxa's language and culture have been all but eradicated.

Now, innovative uses of cutting-edge broadband and digital recordings of tribal elders are enabling younger members to hear the sounds of the language, giving Ktunaxa leaders hope for its future.

The Rest of the Series

Part 1: The 21st Century Athlete." Meet gamer Patrick O'Day, who wants to represent the U.S. in the 2008 Digital Games.

Part 3: "The Film Editor's Dream." A well-known Swedish film editor fulfills his dream of working remotely while living in a rural area, thanks to a superfast fiber-optic broadband connection.

Part 4: "The Doctor Isn't In But Can See You." In the final installment, learn how some Americans use broadband to get quality healthcare remotely.

The Author

Series author Kajsa Linnarsson is a visiting reporter covering global developments in broadband for PC World. A graduate of Stanford University's Innovation Journalism program, she lives in Hudiksvall, Sweden, in a region known as Fiber Optic Valley for its large number of cutting-edge communications technology companies.)