About Us
Serving the Denver American Indian & Alaska Native Community for over 50 years
About the Denver Indian Center
Serving the American Indian & Alaska Native Community for over 50 years
The Denver Indian Center Inc. (DICI) is an urban cultural gathering center for the American Indian and Alaska Native community of the Denver Metro area. Incorporated in 1983 to meet the unique needs and challenges facing the of the Native community, the DICI supports our Native youth and community by providing guidance for economic empowerment and self-reliance programs that empower families and honor our elders, and by offering a space where Native culture can be preserved and celebrated.
Together, we strive to create a new way of doing things “The way it should be…”
What We Do
Our Programs
At the Denver Indian Center, there are many supportive programs dedicated to assisting members of the American Indian and Alaska Native community in reaching their full potential.
Native Community Peer Outreach
Helping the Community with Support
Native Community Peer Outreach works with individuals, families, and groups to provide culturally relevant outreach support.
Honoring Fatherhood Program
Generations of Native men making a difference tied together by tradition & building future generations of fathers
The Honoring Fatherhood Program (HFP) equips and encourages fathers to live with integrity and purpose to strengthen their families and communities.
Native Workforce Program
The workforce of Indian Country
Native Workforce Program (NWP) at the DICI has been providing career services since 1970, serving thousands of individuals over the years with referrals, job placements, resume and skill-building workshops, job and career pathway counseling, career assessments and GED educational assistance.
Community Services
Providing a safe space for the Denver community
At the Denver Indian Center, we provide safe spaces and services for our community.
- Monthly lunches and services for Elders
- Utility & Energy Assistance
- Cultural Activities and Language Classes
- Youth Programming
- Community Events
Who We Are
Our Staff
Meet the support specialists, managers and staff members who assist and empower community members.
Rick Waters
Executive Director
Rick Waters (Kiowa and Cherokee)
For over 40 years, Rick has been actively involved in advocating on behalf of the American Indian community through both his professional and personal life. From supporting higher education opportunities for Native students at the University of Colorado-Boulder, University of Phoenix and the American Indian College Fund, to helping serve the Native community in the Denver Front Range area through his work at the Denver Indian Center, Rick has dedicated his life to Indian Country. In promoting self-determination and self-reliance, Rick points to the importance of the family and the roles each member is responsible, while taking into account traditional Native American beliefs and values. Originally from Oklahoma, Rick has lived in Colorado since 1984 and is married with 2 daughters and 4 grandchildren.
Steve Revello
Executive Director / HFP Program Manager
Steve ReVello currently coordinates and manages the Honoring Fatherhood team while providing guidance for all aspects of facilities and finance as the Co-Director. Steve is a qualified manager and holds the Master of Social Sciences degree from University of Colorado at Denver; he also and holds a valid school administrator’s license in the state of Colorado. Steve is no stranger to education and social services and has spent more than twenty years leading educational and social services institutions in the metro Denver area. Steve believes that individual choices are enhanced by cultural values and education.
Lily Boyce
Child/Family Specialist – COVID Native Response Team
Steve ReVello currently coordinates and manages the Honoring Fatherhood team while providing guidance for all aspects of facilities and finance as the Co-Director. Steve is a qualified manager and holds the Master of Social Sciences degree from University of Colorado at Denver; he also and holds a valid school administrator’s license in the state of Colorado. Steve is no stranger to education and social services and has spent more than twenty years leading educational and social services institutions in the metro Denver area. Steve believes that individual choices are enhanced by cultural values and education.
Sully Coronado
Career Guidance Specialist – Native Workforce Program
Ryan Goetzl
Program Manager – Native Workforce Program
Megan Horsman
Program Support Specialist
Megan Horsman is the Program Support Specialist at the Denver Indian Center.
Jake Lamping
Jake Lamping is the Facility Supervisor and Food Bank Manager at the Denver Indian Center,
Jamal Long Soldier
Career Guidance Specialist – Native Workforce Program
Jamal Long Soldier is a member of the Oglala Lakota tribe from South Dakota. Jamal received a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania in Sociology and is currently pursuing an MBA at the University of Denver–Daniels School of Business. Jamal was previously an Active Duty Officer in the US Army working in training and operations, logistics, and human resources strength and talent management; he currently serves in the Army Reserve as a Logistics Officer. Jamal is excited for the opportunity to serve the Native community as a Career Guidance Specialist.
Madonna Rogers
Receptionist
Madonna Rogers is the receptionist at the Denver Indian Center.
Frances Ruiz
Program Support Specialist
Frances Ruiz is a member of the Pueblo of Laguna and Spanish. Frances attended the University of Denver Women’s College and Red Rocks Community College and obtained her certificate in Non-Profit Pathways. She’s previously worked with DICI’s sister organization Denver Indian Health and Family Services. As a Program Support Specialist, Frances supports all DICI programs with their day-to-day operations and marketing. Frances also works closely with the Staff Accountant and two Co-Executive Directors with their respective responsibilities.
Micki Wildcat
Elder’s Specialist – COVID Native Response Team
Micki Wildcat is the Elder’s Specialist for the COVID Native Response team at the Denver Indian Center.
David Wright
Relationship Guidance Specialist – Honoring Fatherhood Program
David Wright graduated from Adams State University where he earned his Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration and Leadership and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from the University of Northern Colorado. David is passionate about serving his community and has worked in the past to support at-risk youth in the Denver metro area, refugee populations, and the Native American community. David’s work is centered on the holistic approach of supporting the academic, cultural, social and spiritual needs of the community and currently works as a Relationship Guidance Specialist for the Honoring Fatherhood Program.
Mekete Sugebo
Finances