The Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska, in partnership with Grey Snow Communications, celebrated a major milestone with the launch of a tribally owned high-speed internet service in White Cloud.
The event, titled The Speed of Sovereignty, which occurred on June 25, 2025, marked a powerful step toward digital self-determination and long-term infrastructure control for the Tribal community.
The celebration brought together Tribal leaders, state and local officials, and community members to recognize a future built on strong partnerships, resilient infrastructure, and digital access for all. As Chairman Rhodd closed the event: “This is about more than technology—it’s about connection, opportunity, and sovereignty.”
During the pandemic, community members lacked sufficient access to online education or telehealth services due to severely limited high-speed broadband connectivity. During this period, an incredible 91% of the town was considered unserved, so the Tribe decided to build partnerships to change that.
“For many years, our community has gone without the kind of internet most people take for granted,” said Chairman Tim Rhodd during opening remarks. “This new fiber system changes that. It means our students can complete assignments at home. Our elders can access telehealth. Entrepreneurs can build businesses here. And we’re in control of our own infrastructure.”
With services provided by Grey Snow Communications, a broadband engineering and construction company wholly owned by the Iowa Tribe, managing the efforts, $1.3 million in grant funding was secured to bring high-speed fiber-optic internet to 158 homes and two institutions in White Cloud, including Tribal housing. This new system provides speeds of up to 10 Gbps, which is nearly 400 times faster than what was previously available in the area.
“This project placed over 45,000 feet of fiber in the ground and on poles throughout the community,” said Grey Snow CEO David Tam. “We’re proud to serve the Iowa Tribe and grateful to the Executive Committee, our Board, and team members like Adam who made this possible.”
ABOUT THE IOWA TRIBE OF KANSAS AND NEBRASKA
The Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska (ITKN) is a sovereign nation and federally recognized Tribe organized under a constitution and bylaws approved on February 26, 1937. The Tribe, also known as the Ioway or Báxoje, is headquartered on a reservation that straddles the eastern portion of the Kansas-Nebraska state border, along the confluence of the Nímaha and Nyisoji, or the Big Nemaha River and the Missouri River. The Iowa River and the State of Iowa were named after the Tribe.
ITKN owns several enterprises, including Grey Snow Management Solutions, LLC (GSMS). GSMS is a holding company for a collection of tribally owned businesses, known as the Grey Snow Companies, that offer reliable solutions for fiber communications, workforce development, renewable green energy systems, and professional services. In addition to GSMS, the Tribe owns Casino White Cloud, Ioway Farms, Ioway Bee Farm, Soje, and Grandview Oil.
- Contact: Emily Tharp, Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska
- Phone: (785) 595-3258
- Email: etharp@iowas.org
ABOUT GREY SNOW COMMUNICATIONS
Grey Snow Communications, LLC (GSC) is a tribally owned enterprise of the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska and part of the broader Grey Snow family of companies. With decades of experience and a deep bench of industry expertise, GSC integrates directly with partner organizations to drive effective project management and sustainable growth.
From grant management and strategic planning to fiber workforce training and construction development, GSC equips clients with the tools and knowledge to navigate complex challenges and deliver long-term impact. Their comprehensive services include engineering and permitting, pole attachment, PON design, IRU/OAN management, traffic control planning, and more.
- Contact: David Tam, CEO Grey Snow Communications
- Phone: (785) 501-5889
- Email: dtam@greysnow.com
