In the News

The First Indian Company to use USDA Loan Processes-Upgrades Telephone Service for Members

Posted by Tammi Schone, USDA South Dakota Public Information Officer, information provided by: Christine Sorensen, Rural and Native American Coordinator for South Dakota., on December 17, 2010 at 11:06 AM

USDA Rural Development South Dakota State Director Elsie Meeks recently awarded the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe (CRST) Telephone Authority headquartered in Eagle Butte a $37.9 million USDA Telecommunication Infrastructure Loan to complete a total fiber to premises build out.

Attending the award ceremony was CRST Elders, Ione Lee and Delphine Red Fox. Delphine Red Fox‘s husband Steve Red Fox spent over 30 years working in the rural telecommunications industry and a majority of his time was with the CRST Telephone Authority. He was the first employee to retire from CRST Telephone Authority in 2005, a significant milestone for himself, his family and also for the company. Steve began his career in the 1960’s with aerial plant construction and then moved into the copper underground plant in the 1970’s as the company became a REA borrower.

Ione Lee’s memories of technology began when she was 13 year old girl in 1935; living in LaPlant, SD. She recalls that there were two telephones in LaPlant at that time and that telephones were a big deal. The telephones saved them time and energy as they would have to travel by horse or wagon and if lucky, by car and the train to communicate with others. The most interesting memory is the fact that people, including herself, used the railroad telegraph for communication and used morse code for the messages.

In 1958, Ione remembers that the CRST Tribal Council envisioned connecting all reservation residents by telephone. The telephone company that was privately owned in the area was purchased by the Tribe at that time with the purpose of developing utility infrastructure all over the reservation.

CRST Telephone Authority was established in 1958 by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe as a Native American owned Telecommunications Company and was the first Indian company to utilize the loan process from the Rural Electric Administration (REA). The company has over 1,800 miles of buried copper cable and the company service area today covers 4,600 square miles, including 20 communities, and over 3,400 subscribers.

NTCA Receives Grant For A Community Technology Center on Cheyenne Reservation

October 17, 2001, Arlington, Va. -The National Telephone Cooperative Association (NTCA) and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Telephone Authority (CRST) have been awarded a one-year, $195,000 grant from the United States Department of Education to establish a community technology center in one of the most economically distressed areas in the U.S. - Eagle Butte, S.D., home of the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation and seat of Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal government.

Courses and individualized training will be offered in practical computer skills, various software applications, and the use of the Internet for formal or informal continuing education. The center will also make use of information technology to increase awareness of options for dealing with health and wellness problems on the reservation, including diabetes, drug and alcohol addiction, teenage pregnancy, and personal financial management.

"There is a serious need on the reservation for greater access by the community to information training," said Michael E. Brunner, NTCA Chief Executive Officer.

"CRST Telephone and Lakota Technologies, Inc. are the two key private sector employers on the reservation. These local enterprises have a growing need for computer-savvy workers but the skilled local labor pool is insufficient. We hope to solve that shortage with this project," said Brunner.

Courses will be targeted at unemployed adults, single mothers and others seeking enhanced job skills. The center will also offer specialized training for employees of local businesses, and technology certification programs.

J.D. Williams, General Manager of the CRST Telephone Authority, said, "When we can train the reservation population in marketable computer skills, good job opportunities won't be far behind. This center will make a big difference in many lives."

Renovation of an existing building will begin immediately, and the center's grand opening is expected in the spring of 2002.

For more information on the Community Technology Center, contact Maria Kendro, NTCA international projects manager, at 703-351-2011.

NTCA is a nonprofit association representing more than 540 locally owned and controlled telecommunications cooperatives and commercial companies throughout rural and small-town America. NTCA provides its members with legislative, regulatory, and industry representation; meetings, publications, and educational programs; and an array of employee benefit programs. Visit us at http://www.ntca.org.

National Telephone Cooperative Association 4121 Wilson Blvd., 10th Flr.,
Arlington, VA 22203 Phone: 703 351-2000
Fax: 703-351-2800

Ribbon Cut on new Lakota Technologies Facility

U.S.Senator Tom Daschle cut the ribbon on the $1.5 million Lakota Technologies building in Ealge Butte on Friday, May 31.

The program opened with a welcome by LTI executive officer J.D. Williams. Special speakers included Senator Daschle, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Chairman Gregg Bourland, and Christos Colsakos, founder and CEO of E Trade Group, an on-line investing and banking company. Earlier in the day Cotsakos announced a $1000,000 scholarship fund for students attending tribal colleges in South Dakota. Read Entire Story

Satellite Internet Access Will Be Available Throughout Cheyenne River Reservation

CRST Telephone Authority To Offer Satellite Internet Access Will Be Available Throughout Cheyenne River Reservation

4/01/05, SOUTH DAKOTA - The successful launch of the WildBlue Anik F2 satellite on July 17, 2004, moves CRST Telephone Authority one step closer to offering affordable, high-speed Internet anywhere on the Cheyenne River Reservation.

WildBlue satellite-delivered Internet will be available virtually everywhere in the contiguous United States, and can be used even where cable modem and digital subscriber line Internet access is not available. The service is expected to be available in Spring 2005, once the satellite completes a standard testing phase. CRST Telephone Authority, your local provider of Stealth DSL and Lakota Network Dial-up, will provide CRST local installation, service and support for this upcoming Satellite offering.

With service that is up to 30 times faster than standard 56K dial-up connections, WildBlue will allow users to retrieve information and access rich content that is not available through dial-up modems. It will provide a continuous online connection, so subscribers don't tie up phone lines, and the faster speeds will save users time and businesses money.

"CRST Telephone Authority is excited about the successful satellite launch because it brings us closer to providing broadband Internet access to our entire community," said J.D. Williams, General Manager. "We are pleased to bring the Cheyenne River Reservation affordable, two-way high-speed Internet access that is always on and available anywhere our community members work or live."

WildBlue is finalizing its specific product offerings, and are considering several packages to accommodate various user needs, including a residential service that is expected to have a retail price of $49.95 per month and a small office / home office package that is expected to have a retail price of $79.95.

"We are pleased to bring to the Cheyenne River Reservation Internet access that is comparable to what is available in urban areas," continued Williams. "We will be sharing more information with the community in our local newspapers and encourage anyone who is interested in learning more to contact Jonni Guerrero at CRST Telephone Authority."

The satellite was successfully launched from Kourou, French Guiana into the 111.1 degree West longitudinal orbit. The Anik F2 satellite, manufactured by Boeing Satellite Systems and owned and operated by Telesat Canada (Telesat), weighs in at 12,000 pounds and is the largest commercial satellite ever launched.

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