Healing Wings: Iristel & Ice Wireless Bridge the Digital Divide in Canada's North
The Healing Wings Foundation, in partnership with Ice Wireless and Huawei, has donated 25 internet-connected tablets and laptops to four emergency shelters in Canada’s North — bridging a critical gap in digital access for some of the country’s most vulnerable residents during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Many residents in these communities do not have access to the technology that many of us take for granted. Equipment such as computers, mobile devices, and tablets are needed to help facilitate connections with family and friends, and enable access to important information for housing, job search, research, and education.” — Mireille Dahab, President, Healing Wings Foundation
The Initiative
Announced in Iqaluit, Nunavut on June 8, 2021, the donation provides 25 Huawei tablets and laptops to four emergency shelters across Canada’s northern territories and northern Quebec. Each device is equipped with free, unlimited internet access provided by Ice Wireless — Iristel’s northern wireless subsidiary — for the duration of the program.
The Four Recipient Shelters
- Kaushee’s Place — a women’s transition home in Whitehorse, Yukon
- Side Door — an emergency shelter in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories
- YWCA Agvik Nunavut Society — in Iqaluit, Nunavut
- Isuarsivik Regional Recovery Centre — in Kuujjuaq, northern Quebec
Why Digital Access Matters in the North
Canada’s digital divide is most acute in the North. Residents of remote and northern communities face connectivity barriers that southern Canadians rarely encounter — limited or no fixed broadband, unreliable mobile coverage, and the high cost of data that does exist. For residents of emergency shelters, who are often among the most marginalized members of already-underserved communities, this digital gap has compounding consequences.
| Impact Area | Without Internet Access | With Connected Devices |
|---|---|---|
| Employment | No access to job boards or applications | Job search, virtual interviews |
| Education | No access to online learning | Remote coursework, upgrading |
| Healthcare | Limited access to health information | Telehealth appointments |
| Family connection | Isolation from family and support networks | Video calls, messaging |
| Housing | No access to housing resources | Housing search, applications |
Iristel and Ice Wireless are proud to support the Healing Wings Foundation’s mission. Bridging the digital divide in Canada’s North is central to Iristel’s identity as a carrier — not just a business objective, but a commitment we take seriously every day.
About the Healing Wings Foundation
The Healing Wings Foundation is a Canadian not-for-profit focused on addressing the digital divide in northern and remote communities. Its programs provide connectivity, devices, and digital literacy support to vulnerable populations across Canada’s North.
