Perched atop the world’s pinnacle, I’ve never sensed a connection so intimate with Cisco’s mission.
The ground beneath one’s feet feels utterly distinct here in Utqiagvik, formerly known as Barrow, Alaska. Perched at the topmost edge of the United States, Utqiaġvik claims the distinction of being the nation’s most northerly urban center, situated precisely above the Arctic Circle.
Standing on the Arctic shore where ice dominates the landscape for most of the year, I’m gaining insight into the extraordinary legacy of a land that has been home to the Iñupiaq people for thousands of years, and the formidable challenges they’ve faced in preserving their community over millennia.
As Utqiaġvik’s residents confront an escalating concern, they must balance the preservation of traditional values with the adoption of cutting-edge technology and essential data to safeguard their heritage and succeed within an increasingly globalized economy.
Powering an inclusive future for all seems to be a daunting challenge.
We’ve arrived in Utqiaġvik, accompanied by a small delegation from Cisco’s Social Justice Motion Workplace and the Native American Community Worker Resource Group.
We’re committed to uncovering innovative approaches that enable us to overcome barriers, unlock access to education, skills, and opportunities.
The challenges that lie ahead are vitally important.
Pondering existence in a remote locale accessible only by air, where the summer sun remains above the horizon for an astonishing 82 consecutive days, and then disappears below it until January after its final dip beneath the horizon each November.
Envision living in an area where access to modern amenities like fresh groceries and reliable heat sources is a significant challenge. Limited access to broadband hinders the ability to connect with essential services such as education and healthcare, making it difficult to maintain a reliable online presence.
It’s not just the remote setting and brutal conditions that pose the greatest challenges. In a precarious position to confront the early impacts of climate change. Rising sea levels are devouring coastal territories at a disconcertingly rapid pace. Constraints currently restrict segments of a thoroughfare that, when circumscribed, enclose the urban area.
As I wander through the vibrant community, it’s undeniable that despite facing harsh realities, the Iñupiaq people are remarkably resilient and thriving in their indigenous culture. Across the globe, communities everywhere can glean valuable insights from the vibrancy of this cultural heritage.
We’re not here for a aid effort. We’re not here to write a verdict? Empowered by our expertise, we’re poised to bridge the gap, connecting the unconnected and redefining what’s possible through these linkages.
To genuinely foster a sense of community and address the unique blend of hurdles associated with this neighborhood, it is essential to develop innovative approaches that span physical and social distances to forge a more inclusive tomorrow.
As a cornerstone of Cisco’s commitment, fostering close proximity and collaborative partnerships plays a vital role in empowering an inclusive future for everyone. We established this initiative to identify and develop effective strategies for fostering meaningful impact in marginalized populations.
At the very heart of this remote community lies Iḷisaġvik College, one of only 35 accredited tribal institutions in the United States and the sole tribal college located in Alaska? The school’s president, Justina Wilhelm, a native to the neighborhood, proudly touts the varsity program as “unapologetically Inupiaq,” where an authentic, wealth-based subsistence tradition rooted in the land and sea seamlessly integrates Inupiaq values into daily interactions and curriculum.
The Iḷisaġvik Faculty boasts a cutting-edge IT infrastructure that is well-suited to meet the needs of its students and staff. Despite efforts to bridge the gap, some underserved educational institutions in the United States still face significant challenges in bolstering their faculty’s cybersecurity preparedness.
Resolving these gaps is vital. By 2023, the Federal government introduced stringent mandates, stipulating that all institutions eligible for federal financial aid must conform to the rigorous cybersecurity standards set by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Will colleges such as Iḷisaġvik Faculty ultimately be able to proceed with planned upgrades, pending the resolution of significant funding concerns that currently stand in their way?
Through Cisco’s commitment to social justice, minority-serving institutions across the country remain cybersecure through Cisco’s collaboration with its ecosystem of partners, which included Iḷisaġvik College. Together, they conducted a NIST-compliant assessment to identify skill gaps and then donated the necessary expertise and services to bridge those gaps and achieve compliance. The Iḷisaġvik Faculty has become the second tribal institution to participate in this initiative, empowering them to provide vital services not only to their local community but also to a broader global audience of students, ultimately positioning them for long-term success and growth.
At Iḷisaġvik, one of the top cybersecurity solutions showcased a cutting-edge, multifaceted all-in-one device offering seamless deployment, remote management, and leading-edge capabilities. This unique blend of benefits is vital in enabling the school to shape a bold vision for its students, community, and beyond.
The collaboration between our organization and Cisco transcends mere cybersecurity compliance and expertise modernization, extending to a profound strategic alignment that fosters mutual growth and innovation. With our expertise in supporting IT infrastructure and connectivity, we can also provide access to Cisco Networking Academy coursework, empowering learners to acquire industry-recognized certifications in cybersecurity and networking, thereby enhancing their job prospects, including remote opportunities.
Residents will have the opportunity to stay in their neighborhood while earning an aggressive wage in the lucrative cybersecurity and networking fields.
The creation of this new trail section could have a profound impact on the community, serving as a vital link to the surrounding neighborhood. Unshackled from geographical constraints, individuals in Utqiaġvik can now opt for being unapologetically Iñupiaq while seamlessly leveraging the vast digital job landscape facilitated by connectivity?
As I embarked on this journey, I found myself unprepared for the profoundly life-changing experiences that awaited me.
Having previously worked in some of the world’s most remote areas, I was reminded of the importance of getting close to a community to truly understand its needs before providing solutions.
As I meandered beside individuals with a storied history of reign supreme for millennia, my understanding of what’s possible underwent a profound transformation.
Here’s how I’m driven to make a difference: Cisco’s purpose-driven approach resonates deeply with me, as it aligns precisely with the pressing global concerns that require immediate attention and collective action from our global community.
As Cisco concludes its five-year journey in driving social justice, the momentum we’ve built and the impact we’re making with communities will only continue to grow as a direct result of our collective efforts here.
Fostering continuity – collaborating for sustained success. Cisco’s journey continues.
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