Please join us in recognizing November as National Native American and Indigenous Heritage Month.

National Native American and Indigenous Heritage Month is observed every November in the United States to honor the rich cultures, traditions and contributions of Native American and Indigenous peoples. It is a time to recognize the histories, achievements, struggles and ongoing resilience of these communities. Labor unions and Indigenous peoples have intersecting histories, particularly in the context of the struggles for workers’ rights, social justice and economic fairness. This month is an essential time to not only celebrate Indigenous cultures but also to advocate for equity, justice and recognition for Native peoples.

Under the Tony Mazzocchi Center (TMC)’s Department of Energy (DOE) grant, we foster strong educational partnerships with the Tribal Employment Rights Offices (TERO) of Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Reservation, Yakama and Nez Perce Tribal Councils. Together these nations include more than 50,000 enrolled Tribal members.

Over the past three years, the TMC initiated health and safety training to protect nearby tribes from hazardous waste at the DOE Hanford Site in southeastern Washington and to also provide credentials that are helpful when seeking employment at the site. Since 2016, TMC training supported by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS)’s DOE award has conducted 14 courses for 140 Tribal members for a total of 2,220 hours of training.

Working with TERO, the TMC will continue to train enrolled Tribal members living near DOE facilities. As we build a training outreach capacity with these partners, we will explore additional Tribal collaborations near other DOE facilities where members are represented by the United Steelworkers (USW) and Communications Workers of America (CWA).

Integrating acknowledgment and respect for Native American and Indigenous communities is an important part of building a more inclusive union. The TMC stands with the USW’s commitment to represent and support Indigenous members and their communities, as it is part of our commitment to a democratic, inclusive and diverse union that builds power and creates a bright future for us all. This month serves as an important opportunity to learn about and respect the cultures and experiences of Native American and Indigenous communities. It is also an opportunity to reflect on the need for reconciliation and a more inclusive and accurate portrayal of Native peoples in history and culture.

Photo credit: Rodrigo Toscano, Labor Institute staff, USW Local Union 4-406