About Us
Digital Connect® is an initiative of Gila River Telecommunications, Inc. Our goal is to bridge the digital divide in the Gila River Indian Community and Indigenous communities everywhere through digital skills trainings, support services, and learning resources that are easy to understand and readily accessible, and to develop future generations of Indigenous people as leaders in technology. The GRTI board of directors created DCI in recognition of the need to promote digital inclusion, leverage broadband connectivity for community and economic advancement, and embrace modern technology as a resource for heritage preservation in the digital age. As a technology leader, Gila River Telecommunications, Inc. is the ideal host for the Digital Connect Initiative.
Mission
The Digital Connect Initiative (DCI) is a community service that exists to help people improve their quality of life using modern technology.
Vision
We envision a flourishing, self-sufficient indigenous community that is in command of technological advancements and uses current and emerging technologies to achieve wholistic prosperity that is consistent with our heritage of innovation and industriousness and in keeping with our culture and traditional values.
Approach
DCI works in collaboration with the Gila River Indian Community (GRIC), GRIC entities, community service organizations, relevant agencies, and other strategic partners to achieve our goals. Our four core functions are digital literacy, economic advancement, heritage preservation, and STEM education.
What We Do
Our team offers a number of technology support services, including: digital literacy training classes, employment counseling and job placement services, workforce development programming, job skills training, digital educational services, STEM instruction, and online training courses.
We are an NDIA Affiliate+
Digital Connect is a proud member of the National Digital Inclusion Alliance.
Learn more about the grant we were awarded here: https://www.digitalinclusion.org/blog/2022/09/07/ndia-awards-18-national-digital-navigator-corps-grants-in-rural-tribal-areas/
