Last month, I was in Washington to accept the first prize in the Alliance for Public Technology’s “Broadband Changed My Life” contest on behalf of Sacred Wind Communications Community Connect, a group that serves the Navajo people in New Mexico. I am still pinching myself. It’s hard to believe that I won such a wonderful recognition. What I can tell you though, is that broadband technology has truly opened up the world for many Navajo people in my community in a way that is nothing short of amazing. Speaking just for myself, I can say that broadband has really truly changed my life.

Earlier this year, I started a free Internet training program. We have had more than 4,000 people familiarize themselves to some extent with computers and the Internet through this program. That may not sound like a lot of people, but you have to realize that many of those in the program drove long distances to participate. Most of these people don’t even have telephone service, so the Internet was a real eye opener. We have also had 53 low income students who took our computer classes receive free refurbished computers from Sacred Wind Communications.

One of the things that really moved me was showing fellow Navajos how to open an email account and send attachments like digital pictures. They were astounded. Now, they know how to send digital pictures to loved ones serving with the military in Iraq. My own children used the Internet to connect with family members in St. Louis.

Sacred Wind, which is a non-profit group, taught people how to build a resume and apply online for jobs. They couldn’t easily go to cities like Albuquerque to apply for work because it’s a six hour round trip. Helping people in my community find employment is so rewarding. It wasn’t only job hunting that we did, of course. Some of our elders used broadband to search for health care information. Kids also got help through the Sacred Wind broadband service with homework assignments.

The Navajo are a proud people. We have lived for centuries in the beautiful mountainous regions of the Southwest, a land that is often harsh and where living conditions can be severe. With our broadband connections, and new computer skills, we feel as though we are much more connected — to each other and the world.

I want to thank the Alliance for Public Technology for this tremendous honor. Thank you for your support and encouragement. The Navajo people have taken note.