May 31, 2025 | Posted by Abdul-Rahman Oladimeji
Canadian Indian reserve Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory has installed a data center at its administration building which looks to be a containerized facility. The data center is part of the territory's goal of working towards data sovereignty, and will also be used to "digitally preserve and share Anishinaabe language, knowledge, and traditions in a way that is secure, culturally appropriate, and community-led."
Michael McCormick, CTO of the Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory's IT department, said of the data center: "This project has been years in the making. It started with conversations about digital independence - about how we could better protect our community's data, improve our infrastructure, and prepare for a future where technology plays a central role in everything we do."
McCormick added: "We recognized early on that relying on outside systems left us vulnerable, not just in terms of security, but also in terms of ownership and access. This data centre is the result of careful planning, collaboration, and a shared vision of digital sovereignty. It’s a major milestone, but also just the beginning of what’s possible for Wikwemikong.”
