The TeKnoWave initiative is a community-driven program that has been designed to involve Aboriginal communities at the intersection of training, economic development and knowledge transfer. Communities interested in hosting the TeKnoWave program benefit from the training received by students through the community internship work placement project which is performed at the end of the training component of the TeKnoWave program.

It is essential that in the long term, expertise be retained in the communities. A key component of TeKnoWave is our Community Internship Program that brings together tradition and technology. There are significant financial benefits accruing to the community at large as a result. The average value of a community internship project has been acknowledged to be $20,000, reflecting a contribution of $10,000 per student. With a target of 1,000 IT professionals, TeKnoWave can deliver $10 million dollars worth of applications through the community internship component to groups who could not otherwise afford such system support.

Participating students gain self-confidence, self worth and a pride knowing that they have developed thousands of dollars worth of IT applications, contributing to the community. From this, job opportunities will arise that will attract highly trained graduates.

The first TeKnoWave pilot on-reserve will be at Six Nations with OGWEHOWEH and is scheduled for 2004. Ogwehoweh Skills and Trades Centre is located in the heart of Ohsweken, Ontario on Six Nations of the Grand River Territory in a luxurious new facility - the G.R.E.A.T Opportunity Centre. Six Nations members may be eligible for financial assistance through GREAT and others can apply through Ontario Students Assistance Program Postsecondary. For further information, please email linda.parker@teknowave.ca or cliff.summers@teknowave.ca
Communities may also submit interest in or requests for TeKnoWave projects at info@teknowave.ca