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Saddle Lake Cree Nation develops public broadcast mobile app

Saddle Lake Cree Nation has created their own mobile application for notifications and alerts.

The app was developed by Edmonton-based Aivia Design & Technology Engineering and is capable of sending push notifications to users with community news, health policy announcements, upcoming events, registration forms, surveys, and education directives.

According to Saddle Lake Creek Nation, direct communication with members’ phones means fewer points of failure in the communications process, and is more reliable than email, phone communication and website updates.

“The pandemic highlighted places in our communications strategy that could be improved and streamlined — specifically being able to verify that messages were received, having an easily accessible resource library for our members, and being able to send out important messages at a moment’s notice in a way that is reliable and easy for our staff and our members,” said Saddle Lake Cree Nation’s leadership in a statement.

Onihcikiskowapowin (Saddle Lake Cree Nation) translates to ‘Mirage on the Lake’ in Cree. Saddle Lake Cree Nation is located approximately 180 km northeast of Edmonton and is the second largest First Nation in Alberta by population with nearly 6,000 members living on reserve.

The Saddle Lake Cree Nation mobile app is available in both the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.