The Village that built the internet

This episode of Click Here explores the story of the Tribal Digital Village Network (TDVNet), a community-led internet initiative in Southern California that emerged from decades of neglect and systemic exclusion. When large internet providers ignored Native American reservations due to low population density and high infrastructure costs, tribal leaders and technologist Matthew Rantanen took matters into their own hands. Drawing inspiration from a wireless earthquake research project, they built a microwave-based network across mountainous terrain, connecting seven reservations by 2002. The project not only provided reliable internet but also empowered youth, fostered tribal sovereignty, and sparked a broader movement. Matthew later launched the Tribal Broadband Bootcamp, training over 200 tribes to build and manage their own networks, creating a resilient, collaborative ecosystem. This grassroots model challenges the dominance of private ISPs and highlights a growing trend of public and community-owned broadband across the U.S., from Chattanooga to Bountiful, Utah. The episode underscores a powerful shift: from passive recipients of technology to active builders of their own digital futures.