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.
Connect with us
The Digital Connect Initiative (DCI) is a community service that exists to help people improve their quality of life using modern technology.
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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.
Values
OUR TEAM!
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.
Mikhail Sundust
Executive Director
Mikhail is the Executive Director of Digital Connect, an initiative of Gila River Telecommunications, Inc. As an enrolled member of the Gila River Indian Community, he is honored to serve the people and place he feels most connected to, and he enjoys learning about his Akimel O'otham and Pee Posh heritages. Mikhail holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Arizona and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Arizona State University. He lives in Casa Grande with his wife and two children.
520-610-1879
Amanda MacDonald
Program Manager
Amanda MacDonald has been the DCI Program Manager since April 2021 and has greatly enjoyed being a part of such an exciting and innovative initiative. She is responsible for developing the training programs that DCI brings forth to the Gila River Indian Community. Amanda has lived in Arizona for 25 years but is originally from the suburbs of Chicago. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education and her master’s degree in Educational Technology from Arizona State University. In her free time, Amanda enjoys going on outdoor adventures with her husband, two sons, and two fluffy Alaskan Malamutes!
520-610-6689
Carmen Baldwin-Ortega
Community Liaison
Carmen Maureen Belille Baldwin-Ortega is Akimel O’otham (Gila River Indian Community) and Ojibwe (Lac Courte Oreilles Reserve). As a volunteer, she is an active member of the Gila River Indian Community, and has worked in the Community for over 23 years, gaining experience in software rollout, policy development, accounting, budgets and appropriations, event coordination, and public outreach. As the DCI Community Liaison, Carmen is proactive in advancing DCI’s mission through networking, recruiting, and community engagement. She is motivated by the idea that our work will help bridge the digital divide in Gila River and all Indigenous communities.
cbaldwin-ortega@gilarivertel.com
520-610-0990
Tyler Smith
Digital Navigator
Hello, my name is Tyler (he/him). I grew up in the village of Ge’e Ki (Sacaton) and I have worked for the Gila River Indian Community for over 10 years. In my free time, I enjoy running and skateboarding. As a Digital Navigator, I view my role as an opportunity to give back to the community that helped shape me into the person I am today. In this position, I want to help elevate the community’s digital skills and echo their voices in reaching the resources they need. Only by teamwork, can we strengthen our indigenous community and bring an end to the digital divide.
520-610-8653