Each Native American and Alaskan Indigenous tribe has a culture and history, but all are based on a deep appreciation for the natural world. Indigenous Heritage Month is the ideal time for employers to increase workforce knowledge of Indigenous Americans' proud heritages and unique cultures, using the knowledge as inspiration for environmental sustainability in the present.-By Kim Persaud

Due to movie stereotypes, history books that never tell the whole story, and legends, people tend to think of Indigenous Americans as a homogenized group. The truth is that each tribe has a unique culture that embraces art, language, and traditions. The one thing that all tribes have in common, however, is a deep respect for the natural world that is combined with spirituality Because of this, some scientists believe we should consult the Native Americans on their perspective and approach to environmental sustainability. Developing what the Smithsonian calls “essential understandings” about the diverse Indigenous cultures is a step towards gaining a new perspective that erases movie stereotypes. Employers can focus on the essential learnings during Indigenous Heritage Month by giving Native Americans opportunities to share their cultures, using that knowledge to inspire a stronger commitment and more actions around environmental sustainability. There are hundreds of cultures, and obviously, it is impossible to learn about all of them. However, visiting a couple of them can guide employers in celebrating Indigenous American employees in the workplace, focusing on the cultures represented in the workplace, if applicable, or the basic cultural elements that define Native American culture in general.

Developing Essential Understandings to Drive Inclusion and Belonging

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian uses the term “essential understandings” as a framework for creating student learning experiences. This is such an efficient way of expanding knowledge of multiple cultures that employers can also adopt this approach. There are ten categories. The first category is American Indian Cultures, and the first fundamental concept says there is no single American Indian language or culture. Another concept is that tribal elders teach succeeding generations their traditions, values, and beliefs through their unique tribal languages, arts, social practices, ceremonies, music and customs, and preserving all is crucial to Indigenous people’s well-being. Family relationships shape tribal cultures, which has implications for employer Human Resources policies. Indigenous Indians value their histories, many preserved through storytelling. There are creation stories, for example, and stories of adaptation to environmental, economic, and societal changes. Organizations can enable other employees and organizational leaders to understand the Indigenous American perspective better if they encourage Indigenous American employees to share their experiences and stories, and hold events that bring in outside speakers.

The fourth Smithsonian essential knowledge category is Individual Development and Identity, which occurs in a cultural context. This means people go through a different process tied to the culture, including community, family, social norms, and family. Like all ethnic and racial groups, it is important to avoid generalizing. Too many people generalize about Native Americans, including Alaskan Indians, which leads them to believe they understand the traditional norms and life experiences. The truth is that life experiences related to identity development are enmeshed in a particular culture, creating a complexity which is all too often passed over.

There are 10 concepts of essential knowledge in total, and they all point to one fact. Indigenous Americans want the same things that other people want – equal opportunities in society and the workplace, and appreciation for their unique cultures. They want to be fully included, whether they stay on the reservation and work, start businesses, or live and work off-reservation.

Connected to the Land

Most people are familiar with Southeastern Indigenous peoples, but there are tribes located across the country. To increase understanding of the differences between distinct Indigenous cultures, you only need compare a couple of Native American cultures.

The Mohave Indians are called Pipa Aha Macav (The People of the River). The Mojave trace origins to the people of Spirit Mountain in the Newberry Mountains near Lake Mead. The Mojave tribe members were farmers, hunters, and fishers who lived near the banks of the Colorado River. Their cultural beliefs are based on the idea that the universe and all its animals, trees, plants, rivers, mountains, and rocks have spirits. They are deeply religious and still deeply connected to the river and land. The Mojave Indians are also interested in environmental sustainability. The tribe believes its members have a spiritual connection to the Colorado River, and the river is a living spirit that gives life. The tribal leaders have struggled to secure their water rights over the years, eventually going to the Supreme Court. The Mojave believe the depleting Colorado River has a right to exist and should not be treated like a commodity. They are heavily involved in the discussions on the future and preservation of the River, which is so vital to their culture and economic activities. For the Mohave Indians, the destruction of the Colorado River is as much a spiritual affront as an economic one.

Moving to the southeast, the Seminole Indians were in what is now Florida when the Spanish arrived. Over the years, various groups tried to conquer the Seminoles and force them into a way of life they did not want. The tribe is known for its resilience, as it fought for decades to stay in Florida despite efforts to remove them all to Oklahoma, where some do live today. The Seminoles as a separate tribe did not exist until the late 1700s, when a group of mostly Creek Indians in Georgia and Alabama moved to north Florida, with some runaway slaves joining the group. “We gathered from across Florida, Georgia, and Alabama; those borders did not exist for us. Our culture, our home, and our way of life joined us together. We defended our homes and our people, and we became a refuge for those who sought freedom from conquest and slavery. For this, we were seen as a threat.” When the U.S. government attempted to move all Native People east of the Mississippi River out west, the Seminoles were ferocious fighters. Eventually, they moved into the Florida swamps, where no one wanted to go. As a testament to the power of culture to hold people together, the Seminole tribe now runs one of the largest U.S. cattle operations and owns and operates Hard Rock International.

The Seminole culture also embraces storytelling to share cultural values. Their colorful clothing reflects an interaction with the Spanish and American settlers. They believe in children of all ages assisting with chores, because they value work. Though many are now Christians, their traditional religious beliefs are Creek. The Seminole traditional culture believes there is no separation between body, mind, and soul, and there are spiritual beings such as the Preserver of Life and the Corn Mother (the goddess of farming). Tribal members practiced daily rituals to maintain the balance of nature, like asking forgiveness of an animal before killing it for sustenance. The Stomp Dance is part of a four-day Green Corn Ceremony to mark the renewal of seasons and to show gratitude to the Creator for providing life and food.

Shared Values

There are similarities among the various Indigenous American cultures, such as an appreciation for nature and a belief that it must be treated with only respect. As employers focus on environmental sustainability, inclusion, and belonging, they can learn much from Indigenous Americans. Native Americans deeply respect family, community, and the natural world, and they are striving to restore some of the damage done to their cultures over the past decades. Through essential understandings, employers will find that many of the values of the Indigenous Americans are actually the values their organizations embrace. There are also approximately 300,000 Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians who own small businesses (according to the last census), generating $50 billion in revenues annually. Supply chain managers can support these businesses through mentoring, development, and adding them as diverse businesses. Indigenous employees and community members are amazing people who have earned respect. Indigenous Heritage Month is an ideal time to rethink perspectives on Native Americans and embrace their cultures as a source of greater understanding of resilience and the importance of protecting the environment.