Seven Stars Communities 2024 Application

Seven Stars Communities 2024 Application
Overview

Seven Star Communities is a new program that highlights Native entities for their excellence in providing sustainable solutions to support their digital inclusion ecosystems and provides an opportunity for Tribal entities to learn from each other. The entities selected as Seven Star Communities serve as models of excellence for sustainable connectivity solutions that address the educational, health, economic, cultural, and social needs of their Tribal community. Seven Star Communities demonstrate digital self-determination efforts by increasing governance capacities through strategic planning, dedicated funding, strong leadership support, and community engagement.

NDIA, in partnership with AMERIND, launched the program in 2024 to serve as an advocacy tool and resource repository for Tribal entities to be recognized for their excellent work in the field of Digital Equity. See the Seven Star Community Infosheet for more information.
Eligible Applicants Include:
- A Tribal Government; Federally recognized and state recognized Tribes will be eligible. A letter of support from the Tribe must be included in the application. If awarded, the award will recognize the Tribe.
- A political subdivision of a Tribal/Indigenous government, such as a district, community, pueblo, city/town, village, chapter house, etc.
- A Tribal organization or entity; service areas are focused on specific Tribe or region.
- Entities that serve communities in Tribes from the lower 48 states, Alaska Native Tribes and Corporations, and Native Hawaiian communities:
  1. Tribal nonprofit organization
  2. For profit organization owned/managed by the Tribe
  3. Place-based organization not located on Tribal lands (e.g. urban Indian organizations)
  4. A letter of support from the community must be included with the application
Application Window and Timeline

Applications for 2024 Seven Star Communities recognition will be accepted from August 20, 2024. All applicants will be notified of their application status prior to a public announcement of the 2024 Seven Star Community recipients later this Fall. Seven Star Communities will be honored at Net Inclusion 2025.
Tips for Completing This Application
- The Seven Star Scoring Worksheet is a helpful tool for "pre-scoring" an application and identifying sources of documentation for each indicator prior to beginning work on the actual application.
- Each indicator includes a place to upload files and to submit URLs for online resources. You may use either or both of these to provide documentation for the indictors for which you are seeking points.
- While each indicator will only be counted once, multiple sources of documentation are allowed, and encouraged! This highlights your organization's work and enhances the value of the Seven Star Communities program to other Native entities.
- There is no size limit on file uploads; however, large files (50Mb or larger) may take a long time to upload or remove, and may be more prone to errors or timing out. Consider compressing large files or breaking them into multiple files for upload.
- To ensure the highest score on your application and to avoid the need for follow-up inquiries, please double-check that all indicators for which you are seeking points have at least one source of documentation (uploaded file or URL) prior to clicking the submit button.
How Your Responses Will Be Used

Submit documentation for each indicator you respond to by uploading files or URLs (or both) to this form. To provide a complete picture of your work and to maximize the value of the knowledge database, we encourage you to provide as much documentation as possible for each indicator. All relevant resources submitted through applications will be shared publicly on the Seven Star Communities webpage, with attribution.

Basic Information
Applicant Organization Name*
Type of Organization*

A Tribal Government; Federally recognized and state recognized Tribes will be eligible (If awarded, the award will recognize the Tribe)A political subdivision of a Tribal/Indigenous government, such as a district, community, pueblo, city/town, village, chapter house, etc.A Tribal organization or entity; service areas are focused on specific Tribe or regionEntities that serve communities in Tribes from the lower 48 states, Alaska Native Tribes and Corporations, and Native Hawaiian communities(Tribal nonprofit organization/For profit organization owned/managed by the Tribe/Place-based organization not located on Tribal lands (e.g. urban Indian organizations).
Location of Applicant Organization (Street Address, city, state and zip code)*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Relevant Program or Department Webpage
Name of Person Completing Form*

First NameLast Name
Title of Person Completing Form*
Email Address of Person Completing Form*
example@example.com
Describe the service area your organization represents (you may list more than one)*
Letter of support or document showing approval from your Tribal government (e.g. a Tribal Government Resolution or equivalent formal authorization from the governing body explicitly permitting the entity to apply on behalf of the Native entity) NOTE: This is required for certain entities - see "Eligible Applicants" above.

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Media Contact
Name of Media Contact at Applicant Organization*

First NameLast Name
Email address of Media Contact at Applicant Organization*
example@example.com

1. Community Champion
A. Demonstrate regular engagement with Tribal citizens and community members impacted by the digital divide (1 point).
Documentation shows consistent and ongoing engagement with community members and citizens within the past 5 years, AND/OR Community champion is recognized for impactful community engagement with those most affected by the digital divide within the past five years.
Applying for 1a
1a. Upload Files

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1a. Webpage URL
B. Host community conversations providing education and awareness about digital inclusion, such as public meetings, listening sessions, community gatherings and district meetings (1 point).
Documentation shows how feedback gathered from community conversations (e.g., surveys or meeting notes) informs work.
Applying for 1b
1b. Upload Files

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1b. Webpage URL

2. Planning Process
A. Published local digital equity plan; or digital inclusion is included in Native nation strategic plan (3 points).
Applicant has submitted a published local digital equity plan OR A distinct digital equity and broadband deployment section of the strategic plan.
Applying for 2a
2a. Upload Files

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2a. Webpage URL
B. The process of creating a digital equity plan, or strategic document to include digital inclusion, is underway (1 point).
Documentation shows that the creation of a digital equity plan has been approved or is underway, AND/OR Documentation shows how digital equity and broadband deployment will form part of the Native nation strategic plan.
Applying for 2b
2b. Upload Files

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2b. Webpage URL

3. Tribal Government Support
A. Practice Indigenous digital sovereignty through the ability to enforce policies that seek to protect their citizens, lands, resources, programs and communities (1 point).
Documentation shows how policies support and uphold digital sovereignty in the Tribe, and are in consideration of the values and culture of the Tribe, e.g., ownership and control of data, infrastructure, and networks by Native entities.
Applying for 3a
3a. Upload Files

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3a. Webpage URL
B. Tribal government officially declares support for digital inclusion (1 point).
A Tribal leader(s) publicly expresses support for digital equity initiatives, AND/OR A tribal government provides an official response to the digital divide and acknowledgement of applicant's role in the work e.g. recognizing initiatives in a Tribal resolution, State of the Nation address, recognizing Digital Inclusion Week, a regional council of Tribes, or other official declarations.
Applying for 3b
3b. Upload Files

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3b. Webpage URL

4. Tribal Resources Available to Support the Work
A. Staff dedicated to digital inclusion within the applicant organization (1 point).
Part time or full time positions or volunteers who have digital equity initiatives as part of their position description or duties, AND/OR Digital inclusion initiatives have been meaningfully incorporated as part of their larger work in adjacent fields (e.g., workforce development, internet service provider, elder center, cultural center, or education).
Applying for 4a
4a. Upload Files

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4a. Webpage URL
B. Use of discretionary funds for digital inclusion programming (1 point).
Clear decision making from the Tribal entity in supporting digital inclusion projects funded in part within a programmatic budget to work towards digital inclusion initiatives.
Applying for 4b
4b. Upload Files

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4b. Webpage URL
C. Hosting a public digital inclusion website, webpage or social media account (1 point).
Current, up-to-date website with information about digital inclusion related initiatives and activities (e.g., content on resources, videos, and events).
Applying for 4c
4c. Webpage URL

5. Place Based Programs
A. Digital skills (1 point).
Digital skills training or classes are offered to the community, including instruction for specific populations, AND/OR Direct support for programs are provided to a community partner(s) by the applicant.
Applying for 5a
5a. Upload Files

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5a. Webpage URL
B. Device access (1 point).
Device access programs are present. Programs can include: publicly available devices (e.g. computer labs, loan program in place, learn to earn programs, etc.); devices distributed for people to own (e.g. partnership with refurbisher) and/or; sustainable initiatives (e.g. providing tech support, replacement program for devices, offering free or subsidized devices), AND/OR Direct support for program(s) is provided to community partner(s) by the applicant.
Applying for 5b
5b. Upload Files

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5b. Webpage URL
C. Digital navigators (or equivalent) (2 points).
Digital navigator program offers consistent one-on-one support and in-person classes are widely available, AND/OR Consistent services are offered or office hours are instituted in their work week, AND/OR Direct support for programs is provided to community partner(s) by the applicant.
Applying for 5c
5c. Upload Files

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5c. Webpage URL
D. Targeted programming to serve areas of the community (1 point).
Applicant provides digital inclusion services directed toward specific populations (e.g., elders, veterans, youth), AND/OR Applicant provides programming that works with community partners to identify and address digital equity barriers (e.g., working with other entities to understand areas of need to target support; utilizes local experts, data, or feedback to develop curriculum), AND/OR Applicant provides direct support for community partner program(s).
Applying for 5d
5d. Upload Files

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5d. Webpage URL
E. Culturally matched programs (1 point).
Programs directly reflect the Tribal community and are developed for the Tribal community, considering their culture, language, family dynamics, economic opportunity, etc., e.g. a program's goals include advancing a participants' understanding of how technology is related to preserving, celebrating the culture of the Tribe, AND/OR Direct support for programs is provided to community partner(s) by the applicant.
Applying for 5e
5e. Upload Files

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5e. Webpage URL
F. Broadband Adoption & Affordability (1 point).
Applicant advocates and provides resources for affordable broadband options, (e.g., free wifi spaces or hotspot devices are provided to public; infrastructure efforts have been completed or are in progress; offers or advocates for affordable broadband options for citizens/members/residents; provides an internet subsidy program for Tribal citizens or target populations), AND/OR Direct support for programs is provided to community partner(s) by the applicant.
Applying for 5f
5f. Upload Files

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5f. Webpage URL

6. Being a Steward for a Digital Equity Ecosystem
A. Hosting or membership in a formalized digital inclusion coalition, committee, working group, or other initiative focused on the local digital ecosystem (1 point).
Applicant is a member/host/co-host of a local coalition that supports digital inclusion, and has consistent engagement with the coalition to advocate for and represent Tribal interests.
Applying for 6a
6a. Upload Files

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6a. Webpage URL
B. Hosting or membership in a formalized digital inclusion coalition, committee, working group, or other initiative beyond the local community (1 point).
Applicant is a member/host/co-host of a digital inclusion coalition or consortium to represent Tribal digital equity interests (e.g., regional Tribal organizations, NCAI Telecommunications committee, state broadband or digital equity committee).
Applying for 6b
6b. Upload Files

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6b. Webpage URL
C. Participation in Tribal legislative and rulemaking processes to promote digital equity (1 point).
Applicant can show their participation was integral to enacting laws or policies in the Tribe for digital inclusion initiatives (e.g., comments submitted during legislative or rulemaking processes).
Applying for 6c
6c. Upload Files

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6c. Webpage URL
D. Participation in external (intertribal regional/national, state, and federal) legislative and rulemaking processes to promote digital equity (1 point).
Applicant has provided comments or support for laws in intertribal regional/national, state, or federal proceedings, AND/OR Applicant provided documentation showing collaboration with intertribal regional/national, state, and federal entities on laws or policies that promote digital equity.
Applying for 6d
6d. Upload Files

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6d. Webpage URL
E. Featured on a national or regional platform to advocate for or represent the Tribal community's digital equity interests and initiatives (1 point).
Applicant shows participation on a panel or as a plenary speaker at a conference to highlight digital equity issues or successes for the Tribe (e.g., agenda of event or recordings are sufficient), AND/OR Digital equity work has been featured on a national or regional platform (e.g., newspaper, magazine, radio, podcasts, video) and the content is shareable.
Applying for 6e
6e. Upload Files

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6e. Webpage URL

7. Our Stories
A. Share how your community understands the digital divide (1 point).
Applicant provides general context and perspectives about the digital divide in their community; they demonstrate the need for digital inclusion initiatives, AND/OR Applicant offers a collection of perspectives and resources to understand the digital divide, AND/OR Stories have been shared publicly or have been published in an effort to spur conversation about the digital divide.
Applying for 7a
7a. Upload Files

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7a. Webpage URL
B. Share how and where you are collecting, documenting, and distributing digital inclusion resources in your community (1 point).
Applicant has compiled information about the community from secondary digital inclusion data (American Community Survey, FCC Mapping, Affordable Connectivity Program Enrollments, etc.), and has collected and documented information on their specific community (i.e., asset mapping, community surveys, internet speed tests, etc.).
Applying for 7b
7b. Upload Files

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7b. Webpage URL
C. Share how you are measuring your direct impact (1 point).
Applicant provides narrative and supporting documents of the process of measuring impact, such as goals, objectives, action items, timeline, budget AND/OR Applicant has published or distributed this information to help advocate for more digital inclusion initiatives in their community.
Applying for 7c
7c. Upload Files

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7c. Webpage URL

While Seven Star Communities is intended to celebrate and share examples of digital inclusion work by Native entities, we recognize that some materials may not suitable for sharing publicly. If any of the documentation you submitted in this application can not be shared in the public Seven Star Communities Resource Inventory, please list the indicator(s) and file name(s) below (e.g., Indicator 4B - "Tribal Budget Doc.pdf").
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Seven Stars Communities 2024 Application

Media Contact

A. Demonstrate regular engagement with Tribal citizens and community members impacted by the digital divide (1 point).

B. Host community conversations providing education and awareness about digital inclusion, such as public meetings, listening sessions, community gatherings and district meetings (1 point).

A. Published local digital equity plan; or digital inclusion is included in Native nation strategic plan (3 points).

B. The process of creating a digital equity plan, or strategic document to include digital inclusion, is underway (1 point).

A. Practice Indigenous digital sovereignty through the ability to enforce policies that seek to protect their citizens, lands, resources, programs and communities (1 point).

B. Tribal government officially declares support for digital inclusion (1 point).

A. Staff dedicated to digital inclusion within the applicant organization (1 point).

B. Use of discretionary funds for digital inclusion programming (1 point).

C. Hosting a public digital inclusion website, webpage or social media account (1 point).

A. Digital skills (1 point).

B. Device access (1 point).

C. Digital navigators (or equivalent) (2 points).

D. Targeted programming to serve areas of the community (1 point).

E. Culturally matched programs (1 point).

F. Broadband Adoption & Affordability (1 point).

A. Hosting or membership in a formalized digital inclusion coalition, committee, working group, or other initiative focused on the local digital ecosystem (1 point).

B. Hosting or membership in a formalized digital inclusion coalition, committee, working group, or other initiative beyond the local community (1 point).

C. Participation in Tribal legislative and rulemaking processes to promote digital equity (1 point).

D. Participation in external (intertribal regional/national, state, and federal) legislative and rulemaking processes to promote digital equity (1 point).

E. Featured on a national or regional platform to advocate for or represent the Tribal community's digital equity interests and initiatives (1 point).

A. Share how your community understands the digital divide (1 point).

B. Share how and where you are collecting, documenting, and distributing digital inclusion resources in your community (1 point).

C. Share how you are measuring your direct impact (1 point).