DBP Members Celebrate Native American Heritage Month and Veterans and Military Families Month This November 2022

Native American Heritage Month

Native American Heritage Month began as a day of recognition in 1915 and grew into a month-long celebration in 1990. This is a time to celebrate and support Indigenous Americans across the United States. Over the last few years, many Americans have started to acknowledge more the impact colonialization has had on Native Americans in the U.S. From supporting the decolonization of Thanksgiving to learning about land acknowledgements there are many ways people can learn more about Native Americans and honor the sacrifices they have been forced to make.

Since 1970, Indigenous people and allies have honored Native Americans who suffered and died because of colonization on the National Day of Mourning. This day is always on the fourth Thursday of every November and has replaced Thanksgiving for many as a way to pay homage for the price paid to live in the United States. Organized yearly by the United American Indians of New England (UAINE), the event this year will be both in-person and virtually on November 24. The event put on by UAINE this year will be live-streamed from Plymouth, Massachusetts at noon

People can also learn more about Native American heritage and honor Indigenous stories through the following publications, podcasts, and films:

• Books:
  • The Lakota Way
  • Not Without Our Consent
  • Heart Berries: A Memoir
• Podcasts:
  • Indian & Cowboy
  • All My Relations
  • The Native Seed Pod
• Films:
  • American Indian Film Festival
  • Without a Whisper: Konnon:kwe
  • Indian Horse

Nonprofits that accept donations and directly impact the Indigenous community in the U.S.:

• Decolonizing Wealth
• Honor the Earth
• Native American Rights Fund

Below, see what some Diversity Best Practices members are doing to celebrate and honor Native Americans this month:

American Family Insurance

American Family Insurance is featuring guest speaker Tatanka Means, an award-winning actor and motivational speaker, as well as providing a virtual tour of a former Native American training school to showcase the hardships their students had to endure.

The community-facing internal partner, DreamBank, has two offerings to showcase their focus on indigenous peoples and celebrate Indigenous Peoples Day.

The company also has a book club planned for the book “Heart Berries” by author Terese M. Mailhot, where employees can register to obtain a free copy and discuss it toward the end of November.

Sodexo

Sodexo has events hosted by their employee business resource groups to celebrate Native American Heritage Month, including:

• Seramount’s member webinar: Native American Heritage Month
• A 2nd Annual Onslow Veterans Pow Wow
• A webinar called “The Native American Story of Oklahoma,” with guest speaker Jana Batt
• Amplifying Indigenous partnerships with external vendors and community partners
• Elevating Indigenous and Native American employee voices and vendor partners

Veterans and Military Families Month

Created in 1996 by the Armed Services YMCA, Veterans and Military Families Month is a time to recognize and celebrate the sacrifices American armed forces make both while deployed and home, including those made by their families and loved ones. Active military members contend with separation from their families and families may need to move regularly and deal with new living situations and communities. Veterans Day is on November 11 and was established in 1919 by President Wilson as the first commemoration of Armistice Day. This day was filled with parades, public gatherings, and a brief suspension of business beginning at 11:00 a.m. It was signed into law as a federal holiday in 1968, under the Uniform Holiday Bill and has since been a day to celebrate life, love, and sacrifice.

There are many ways to say thanks to people who are serving and have served directly and indirectly in the military. Some ways to get involved include:

• Write a thank you note. A Million Thanks is a nonprofit that has supported active military and their families since 2004. People can sign up to send letters to active, reserve, and veteran military members.
• Donate to veterans’ charities, including:
  • Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Charity
  • Wounded Warrior Project
  • Freedom Service Dogs of America
• Buy tickets to local attractions, museums, and sporting events that support the military.
• Send a care kit through the United States Postal Service (USPS).
• Listen to your friends and family that may be impacted by the military, even if it’s just to ask what they do. Talking through their experiences can shed light on the challenges and successes this community faces every day, and can help give ideas as to what people can do to support their local military families.

American Family Insurance

American Family Insurance is featuring an internal panel of military and veteran executives at the company, as well as guest speaker Gail Harris, a 28-year veteran, and the highest-ranking African American in the Navy upon retirement.

The company is also partnering with Toys for Tots October 31st – December 7th for Veterans and Military Heritage month, showcasing how employees can get involved.

Munich Re

Munich Re is hosting a few events for employees to celebrate Veterans and Military Families Month, including:

• Hosting an external speaker to focus messaging on the importance of recruiting veterans
• A veterans’ free lunch event
• Encouraging employees to participate in a series of runs and walks across the country that aim to raise awareness and funds for veteran support

Sodexo

Sodexo’s HONOR EBRG will hold its national meeting during Veterans and Military Families month where employees can join to raise awareness. The company will also honor Veterans Day, as well as the Marine Corps birthday on November 10, on social media. These posts will feature the company’s “Then & Now” series with photos of employees during their time of service, as well as their time of service with Sodexo

TD Bank

2022 Veterans Summit.

This year’s theme is TD Salutes: Building on Community Integration, inspired by the company’s continued focus to foster an inclusive environment for the growing community of Veterans, spouses, allies, families, and friends.

The 2022 Veterans Summit will feature Cedric King, U.S. Army Master Sergeant (Retired) as the keynote speaker. TD President and CEO, Leo Salom, is also participating in the summit. TD Bank is also planning a communication from the President of the company to all employees to recognize Veterans Day.

TD branches will be closed on Veterans Day.

A TD Bank employee resource group, GenNext, is presenting a Veterans panel on November 15. In celebration of Veterans Day, the panel will be speaking about leadership, teamwork, and perseverance.