As a DCBS employee, I find people are welcoming when I describe
my Native American heritage as a member of the Lummi Nation
(northwest Washington and southeast British Columbia).
Being multicultural and having a father serving in the military, I did not get to experience firsthand the resilience, history, and vibrant culture of the Lummi. However, I was able to discover, through stories about my ancestors and visits with relatives, my people’s contribution to securing treaty rights, protecting natural resources, and safeguarding the environment. I am part of a fishing family and grew up during a challenging time where there was little understanding of the connection of my people to the sea and land. I experienced that firsthand.
So, storytelling is the way I can share with DCBS team members
and employees what I and the Native American culture can bring to the workplace. As I grew up and developed self-awareness, I learned that it is not easy for others to understand that being a member of a tribe is to be a member of a sovereign nation, with the rights and responsibilities equal to that of any nation.
When employees learn of my heritage, I find an open and inviting desire to know more about me and what my ancestral background means. In my experience, one aspect of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace is seeking understanding – reaching out to learn more.
November is a time to celebrate my heritage. According to the
National Congress of American Indians, Native American Heritage Month is “a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people. Heritage Month is also an opportune time to educate the public about tribes, to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges Native people have faced, both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.”
There are 574 federally recognized Native American tribes in the United States. Oregon’s Native community extends across our state, and we are fortunate to have several established Native nations. Within Oregon, there are nine tribal governments. In 1996, Executive Order 96-30 formally established government-to-government relations between the State of Oregon and the nine federally recognized tribes. These tribes are at the forefront in protecting the environment, managing natural resources, and restoring sovereignty and ancestral culture.
To learn more about each tribe’s journey and rich contribution to all of us, check out the links found on the Oregon Department of Human Services website.
There are many ways to seek understanding during Native American Heritage Month: