The official start of every AISES conference is marked with an inspiring Opening Ceremony. Appropriately, it begins with the Posting of the Colors, with all veterans present invited to take part in this moving tradition. The opening blessing of the 2019 National Conference was given by Artley M. Skenandore, Oneida, a Council of Elders member and current PhD candidate in American Indian studies at the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay, who urged attendees to “be good citizens of Mother Earth.â€
Master of ceremonies Lillian Sparks Robinson, Rosebud Sioux, offered her own welcome by recalling for the nearly 1,900 attendees how AISES has made a difference in her life, starting when she was in 10th grade. “It was so memorable to be with AISES because you got to meet other young Native students from all over who are excited about what you are excited about — and most people aren’t like that.â€
She kept the Opening Ceremony moving smoothly, first introducing the junior and senior national student representatives who read the AISES Code of Conduct and Safe Camp policies.
After acknowledging conference and AISES sponsors, AISES CEO Sarah EchoHawk introduced keynote speaker Edgar Villanueva, Lumbee. A philanthropy executive and author whose new book is Decolonizing Wealth, Villanueva delivered a message to his Indigenous audience: “Now is our time.â€
In a keynote conversation he and EchoHawk discussed the diversity gap in philanthropy and the need to better allocate resources and ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) across all sectors. “‘Decolonizing’ is acknowledging what has happened in history — that we all have been harmed — so we can begin to come together for a process of truth and reconciliation,†said Villanueva. “I wrote my book to tell what it’s like to be ‘otherized’ and how I realized how important it is to be reconnected to my values — and that’s key to my resilience.â€
He shared his conviction that this is “a fantastic time to be Native. Our people are the first innovators, and the world is watching us.†He told students that their communities are depending on them. “Do not forget where you came from,†he said. “Do not assimilate — hold on to what makes you awesome and special. Let’s take all of us forward as one family.â€
Villanueva also recalled his own first time at an AISES conference as his initial encounter with other Native students from across the country. “I’ll never forget getting off that bus and seeing all those Native young people. It was so inspiring!†he said.
The focus on DEI continued with a panel on “Building a Stronger Workforce: The Value of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.†Distinguished participants were James Campos, director of the Office of Economic Impact and Diversity, U.S. Department of Energy; Rhonda James, senior program manager, Global Diversity and Inclusion, Intel Corporation; Kathleen Jolivette, vice president of Attack Helicopter Programs and senior site executive, The Boeing Company; Cynthia Muller, director of Mission Investment, W.K. Kellogg Foundation; and Rita Sampson, chief of Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity, Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Sarah EchoHawk moderated the discussion.
Three of the participants — Jolivette, Sampson, and Campos — said they were attending their first AISES conference and found it “amazing.†But Muller said that she had been involved as a student. “AISES was instrumental for me, and seeing the tribes at the conference when I was a student was so powerful,†she said, telling the audience, “AISES will put you on the path to success.â€
James was attending her third conference, and she pronounced herself “100 percent all in in supporting the mission and goals of AISES.†She pointed out that Intel met its diversity goals of being fully representative. “It’s important that the Intel community step out and be visible in what we do. I want people to think about this as a career path.â€
Muller emphasized the importance of making the business case for diversity. “The numbers speak for themselves,†she said. “By 2050 this country will be majority minority. The workforce is changing: companies not adopting DEI are missing out on maximizing talent.â€
Campos added that next year the K–12 population will be majority minority. “Plus, many older workers are about to retire,†he said. “Numbers do not lie. We need to invest in the future now.â€
Speaking about national intelligence, Sampson said that because the agencies are in the business of “decision advantage,†they need a diversity of experience in the ranks to make better choices. “We need individuals to come and bring their whole selves and be able to express that in the workplace. We are shaping the decisions of a nation.â€
“Colonization and oppression of people of color doesn’t make good business sense,†agreed Muller. And James emphasized, “Representation matters. You matter. We all matter.†EchoHawk reiterated a point she frequently makes when talking to corporations: “You can’t say you’re a champion of DEI if you leave out the first Americans.â€
Following the panel discussions came the most exuberant part of the conference: the much-anticipated Regional Shout-Out led by the national and regional student representatives: Steven Just, senior national representative; Jayne Sandoval, junior national representative; Brielle Thorsen, Canadian national student representative; Jacob Calderone, Canadian junior national representative; Region 1: Brook Thompson; Region 2: Desiree Brazeau; Region 3: Katherine Jacobs; Region 4: Adarius Begay; Region 5: Makayla Mather; Region 6: Adrian Riives; and Region 7: McKalee Steen. There was plenty of commotion and the competition was close, but in an exciting tie-breaker finish Region 5 took home the Spirit Stick.
Council of Elders member Dr. Bret Benally Thompson guided everyone present in remembering three notable members of the AISES family who walked on in 2019: Everett F. Chavez, distinguished educator, three-time governor of Kewa (formerly Santo Domingo) Pueblo, and former AISES executive director; Dr. James H. May, Council of Elders member, holder of several academic appointments, 2000 Ely S. Parker awardee, and generous “connector†of people; and Leslie Qöyawayma, who along with her husband, Al, a founding member, hosted early meetings, helped design the AISES logo, made conference banners, and remained a strong supporter throughout her life.
