The app aims to help keep the Nation’s 3,600 band members in the loop, approximately 40 per cent of whom live off-reserve
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Piikani Nation has created a custom mobile app designed to stay better virtually connected with its nearly 1,500 band members living off-reserve.
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The Communikit app, officially released Monday, is part of an ongoing effort by the southern Alberta first nation to support the community and take a “modern approach to problems, and combining technological advances with generational and cultural knowledge to create solutions,” a statement from the Nation read.
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The app, available for download on iPhone and Android app stores, will inform members through push notifications of upcoming events as well as information on benefits and entitlements.
As of Monday morning, nearly 200 people had downloaded the app.
Piikani communications manager Mariah Grier said the project has been in the works for almost a year and the nation hopes the technology will improve connectivity among members.
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“We wanted to create this app to send out our communications from our chief and council and our national departments to share our events and information with Piikani members, to keep our culture and our values in mind and sharing them,” she said.
“(We’re) trying to keep our nation members that are off-reserve educated on our Piikanissini — our way of life — our vision, our goals, just keeping that communication and connection with all members.”
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Of the Piikani Nation’s roughly 3,600 registered band members, 40 percent live off-reserve. Grier said band members without social media looking for specific documents or event details illustrated the need for an all-encompassing place to connect.
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“Our off-reserve Piikani band members live right across Canada, into the US and around the world,” Grier said.
“There were quite a few nation members off-reserve requesting information. . . So creating this app will get our information and communication out with the press of a button.”
As part of ongoing updates, internal band documents, such as per-capita distribution and membership forms, will soon be accessible from the app.
The app was developed by Aivia Inc., an organization that works to improve communication among Indigenous communities and leadership. It currently serves 82 nations and Indigenous organizations across Canada.