Indigenous Tech Company OneFeather Gets $100K Grant from Sustainable Development Technology Canada
Katey Shaw-Lewis
In partnership with accelerators across Canada, Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) announced funding for 17 Canadian start-ups that are pushing the boundaries of technology to develop sustainable solutions that will drive our economy forward - and OneFeather is a recipient.
OneFeather has developed technology for digital voting and data sovereignty, and is developing streamlined digital status card renewals, online dedicated Indigenous banking solutions, and other services for Indigenous people across Canada. OneFeather's technology reduces travel needs from and to remote communities, paper waste, and increases Indigenous social capital.
OneFeather has been awarded, $100K through the Sustainable Development Technology Canada's Seed Fund. OneFeather delivers digital and on the ground voting for elections and ratifications for First Nations and Metis Nations across Canada. With over 20 years of experience in elections and voting officiating, Lawrence Lewis saw a need for expanded Nation-building technology. The award from SDTC will allow OneFeather to further continue developing sustainable technology to serve Indigenous people and their Nations and expand the benefits they bring to Nations and their members.
The most anticipated benefit of OneFeather technology is the reduction of carbon emissions coupled with the increase in social capital. The launch of the OneFeather APP's dedicated Indigenous banking solutions and OneFeather's digital voting, delivers the much-needed alleviation of excessive travel to and from remote communities across the country. Further, OneFeather APP and digital voting tackle paper waste, while aiming to increase member engagment and voter turnout - in turn building Indigenous social capital and strengthening the sovereignty of Indigenous Naitons in Canada. This is projected to lift-up the lives of Indigenous.
“Supporting Canadian clean technology is not just important for our economy, it also creates good jobs while helping to protect our environment. In the fight against climate change, the work these companies are doing is more important than ever. Through SDTC, our government is helping early-stage entrepreneurs achieve their full potential and, ultimately, solve some of our biggest environmental challenges."
— The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development
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Already a leader in digital voting OneFeather is looking to improve Indigenous resiliency by providing a broader range of digital services to Indigenous communities.
"We will use these funds to continue serving our Purpose: to redefine the Indigenous experience through tradition and innovation. We will broaden our sustainability efforts towards becoming carbon neutral and continue building Indigenous social capital. By serving our Purpose we continue to build a sustainable economy; one that reduces ecological footprints and builds Indigenous social capital through the provision of equitable access to services and the empowerment of Nation sovereignty. This funding further strengthens the sustainability of our communities by preventing the spread of COVID-19 as Indigenous people can vote safely from home using OneFeather’s digital voting system."
-Lawrence Lewis (Klah-Lees: - We Wai Kai Nation), Founder & CEO OneFeather
Learn more about OneFeather here: www.onefeather.ca.
OneFeather is an Indigenous owned technology company located in tradition Llekwungen Territories (Victoria, B.C.). Respected across Canada for conducting elections, digital voting, and providing technological solutions to lift our people up.