The Navajo Nation has long experienced water-access problems. Contributing to this struggle are the Navajo Nation’s 27,000 square miles of vast landscapes, low density, rural population, limited personnel, and slow-growing economic development. Add to that a pandemic, and accessing clean water becomes even more difficult. While the water problems of the Navajo Nation cannot be solved quickly, the pandemic demanded prompt action and highlighted the need to find long-lasting solutions. To that end, the Water Access Coordination Group (WACG) worked to develop permanent solutions. Starting at the beginning, the WACG set out to better understand the water cycle — how does it work, and more important, how is it different on Navajo Nation. The pandemic amplified the need for water quality. Because members of the Navajo Nation must haul water — driving an hour just to get the water and with pandemic curfews in place — the focus turned to infrastructure. WACG researchers studied when people traveled for their water and assessed whether they would utilize newly constructed watering sites. They quickly learned that communication is key, especially in an emergency management situation. In a small tribal government many people wear multiple hats. It was important to learn who makes things happen so that changes and improvements could be implemented faster. The group’s “fortune cookie” advice for people preparing for or dealing with a major event, such as a pandemic: Be innovative, be open to new things, and have contingency plans.
A panel of leaders of Amazon’s Indigenous@ Affinity group discussed their own experiences with Imposter Syndrome — doubting one’s ability and feeling like a fraud — and what they do to combat it. Imposter Syndrome has a way of creeping up, especially in your professional life. For underrepresented people, it can get worse the more successful you become because there are even fewer people who look like you. The panel reminded attendees that while being “the only one” can be an honor at times, it’s important that others understand that you cannot speak for all Native people. For example, if an organization asks you to share your point of view as an Indigenous representative, it’s OK to say no. Take that opportunity to try to educate others that there are more than 500 recognized tribes and you can’t speak for all. Members of the panel also encouraged attendees at the standing-room-only session to put one foot in front of the other all the time. They stressed that if someone has a seat at the table, there is a reason. They urged their listeners to believe it and always remember they deserve it. The parting message was clear: you are uniquely you — remember your gifts.
Did you know that there are 524 Native gaming properties in 29 states? Did you also know that only a handful of those properties are managed by Indigenous people? The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) is developing a curriculum to help change that statistic within this $36 billion industry. With input from tribal colleges, casinos, and academics, UNLV is expanding its highly regarded hospitality curriculum to include coursework to help Native students ascend to leadership roles. Dr. Stowe Shoemaker, dean of UNLV’s William F. Harrah College of Hospitality, pointed out that hospitality encompasses several disciplines, including mathematics for revenue management, architecture for design, and chemistry for culinary development. He cautioned that it’s a tough industry, but it’s also an incredible industry. “Once you have an education, no one can take it away,” Dr. Shoemaker said, adding, “With passion you can take organizations to great heights.”
Fueled by her sister’s desire to work with robots, 10-year-old Danielle Boyer began her quest to find affordable robots and technology for children. Fast-forward a decade, the formidable Boyer has created the STEAM Connection and the robotics initiative Every Kid Gets a Robot. Boyer, who was often told girls don’t become engineers, was determined to prove the naysayers wrong. In this session, she shared her journey from curious child to passionate inventor. She discussed how to take a small concept and see it through to production. She also offered some tips to would-be inventors. One important tip was to be careful when choosing a team of collaborators and don’t be afraid to ask corporations how they support inventors or future inventors. “When getting funding, be sure you’re working with a supportive group,” she said. Similarly, she urged everyone to practice doing the things they don’t like doing, be that public speaking, pitching ideas, or fundraising. Boyer encouraged attendees to embrace social media as a means of promoting ideas and plans, but be thoughtful when posting. She said, “When people invest, they’re investing in the idea as well as the individual.”
A group of enthusiastic participants boarded a bus to head to Mesa, Ariz., to tour the facility where the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter is produced. They were impressed by the facility itself and the state-of-the-art manufacturing floors. More impressive, they learned that The Boeing Company is committed to an inclusive workplace for all employees, and the Apache facility offers entry-level jobs and manufacturing jobs with rewarding career paths. Tour guides emphasized that there are flexible opportunities to move within the company. One participant, college student Joanna Cooley, expressed a common sentiment: “When I went on the tour of the Boeing Apache facility, I was so impressed at how inclusive the workforce is and how everyone has a team approach to what they do.” The Boeing Company is a Turquoise Sponsor of AISES.
Nordstrom presenters Megha Rao, senior manager, and Sindhu Mane, senior software engineer, spoke to the importance of establishing boundaries. They pointed out that it’s difficult to maintain your own identity, and therefore your own well-being, if you can’t say no when that’s needed. Pandemic challenges — stress, lack of routine, FOMO — can make it difficult for people in a new situation to fit in. Reacting by trying to do everything can lead to giving too much of yourself. To get better at self-advocacy, organize your tasks. One way to do this is by arranging what you need to do in a grid under headings like DO FIRST, DO LATER, DELEGATE, ELIMINATE. Once your to-do list is organized, take these five steps to set boundaries: (1) Acknowledge limitations, (2) Be resilient/Make an action plan with small steps, (3) Prioritize and plan, (4) Speak up, and (5) Seek help. The goal is to be able to prioritize your own needs, set expectations, and be yourself.
Geico IT Manager Ben Hibbeler described the world of software engineering, emphasizing the importance of people in the process. Centering the discussion around the principles of the Agile software development methodology, he included an overview of technologies and possible career tracks. Hibbeler also pointed out how technology is used to process insurance claims through telematics, fraud detection, AI, photo claims, and touchless repair estimates.
Pre-college student Ellisia Nakai led participants in a discussion of how traditional foods can be made even more relevant and important to Native health. She prompted a discussion of how communities can promote healthier lifestyles by asking participants, “What would you do?” “What could YOU do?” Ideas turned up in the discussion included volunteer, partner youth and elders, ensure greater access to traditional foods, conduct urban workshops, support policy to protect resources, and work to eliminate government programs that restrict access to other programs.
Presenter Dr. Clayton Small engaged a packed audience of about 70 people in a highly interactive and fun session where participants gathered in teams and worked together. This session created a safe place for educators, administrators, students, and staff to experience cultural and resilience-based approaches that support student retention, graduation, and walking into the light of goodness intended for AISES students. Strengthening cultural resilience means using our Native culture, spirituality, ceremonies, and humor to overcome trauma, threats, tragedy, and other stresses in our lives. This session was an opportunity and an invitation for participants to “let go” of strong feelings associated with the trauma and losses witnessed and experienced from the ongoing COVID 19 pandemic and other experiences and transition to healthy behaviors and relationships.