Natives in Tech

Last night was a milestone for my family. My son Richard Jr. and I went to our first Oklahoma City Thunder game after living in this amazing city for over seven years. And it wasn’t just any night, it was Native American Heritage Night. Moments like these make all the hard work, long hours, and sacrifices worth it. As entrepreneurs and working parents, it’s easy to lose sight of what we’re striving for. For me, it’s all about providing opportunities for my family and setting an example for them and my community. Richard Jr. is 16, and he’s everything I could ask for: intelligent, kind, and proud of his culture. He’s already helping build First Americans Marketplace Exchange, driven by his passion for uplifting Native communities. I’m teaching him the value of hard work, but watching him grow is the real reward. This is one of my greatest motivations. #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth #NativeAmericanHeritageNight #FamilyFirst #EntrepreneurLife #OKCThunder #WorkHardPlayHard #ProudDad #UpliftingCommunities #FAME #FirstAmericansMarketplaceExchange #CulturalPride #NativeEntrepreneurs

?On this day, we are raising awareness and shining a light on the fact that Native American women working full-time year round only make, on average, 58 cents on the dollar as compared to non-Hispanic, white men. Worse still, when you look at all Native women earners, they only make 52 cents in comparison to all non-Hispanic, white male earners, one of the most significant wage disparities in the United States. If you break it down by Tribal nation, some Native American women are paid even less. ??The lasting impacts of colonialism, genocide, and state-sanctioned violence on Native communities continues to be felt today. Native Americans face higher rates of poverty, unemployment, and violence. Recent data shows that the majority of Native American mothers are breadwinners for their families; yet with Native women earning about half the amount of white men, it creates an economic barrier to provide for themselves and their families. Low pay, economic abuse, and the lack of employment protections play a huge role in why so many cannot safely leave abusive situations. Therefore, long-term safety is almost impossible. ??Achieving equity for Native women involves heeding the voices and leadership of Native communities, respecting their sovereignty, traditions, and cultural practices, and making new workplace and other economic justice policies - like fair pay, workplace safety, and paid leave – a priority. As a campaign, we must be resolute in our commitment to addressing both the gender and race-based wage gaps– and all the disparities faced by Native communities. ??Raising awareness is just one of the ways to address these struggles. The next step is to take action. During our social media storm, Equal Pay Today and the co-leading organizations are calling on policymakers to look holistically of the needs of Native women and their families. There is not one solution that will address all of the compounding and intersecting needs; rather as this Congress is getting ready to adjourn, we use them to prioritize the economic needs of Native women by considering several key pieces of economic security legislation, including the: 1. Paycheck Fairness Act 2. BE HEARD Act 3. Healthy Families Act 4. FAMILY Act ?Join us Dec 5th (11am PT/2pm ET) for a powerful discussion on pay equity & economic justice for #NativeWomen! Hear from amazing speakers. Register now! #EquityForNativeWomen #NativeWomensEqualPay #NativeWomenLead #TheFutureIsIndigenousWomen

Monday, Monday, Mondayyyy

ITLCT did a fantastic job presenting at #NITConf2023, if you are one of the folks who missed it, here’s your next chance!

Good morning. Reminder Indigitech Destiny Summit is November 18th : 9 am - 5pm. Hop on over to indigitechsummit.ca and reserve your spot. Limited tickets available. Big thanks to sponsors, community partners, friends and speakers. Government of Canada Government of Alberta Economic Development Lethbridge ElevateIP Alberta Innovate Calgary MentorAbility Alberta IncluCity Calgary Platform Calgary National Music Centre Wave Tech Centre Edmonton Unlimited InceptionU Ltd Scaffold Institute KPMG Ignition Calgary Lethbridge Polytechnic Bow Valley College Renard T. Jenkins Natasha Rabsatt, M.S. Nicole Robertson Ashley Allen Adaeze Hubbard Wunmi Adekanmbi, MSc., PMP, Prosci Kara Thorvaldson Derek Eiteneier Melrene Saloy-EagleSpeaker Pamela Todd B.F.A Aretha Greatrix Chef Shane Mederic Chartrand #Indigitechdestiny #Indigitechsummit #IndigenousInnovation ##innovationweekyyc

I am attending Indigitech Destiny Summit November 18th. Join me. Invite friends and colleague. Register here. https://lnkd.in/gbSAFxnf #indigitechdestiny #indigitechsummit #indigenousentrepreneurs #innovationweekyyc

#NITConf2024 - That's a wrap! A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us for our funky, fun annual Natives in Tech conference. The group had a blast! If you missed it, no worries! We are gearing up for an incredible 2025 with more programming, networking, and community activities to come. If you would like to connect with any of the presenters, here's the link with everyone's LinkedIn profiles. https://lnkd.in/eEYGZNDd We will share the group slides here in a few.

SESSIONS ARE NOW LIVE! Come have fun learning at work TODAY! We’re thrilled to share this year’s hashtag #NITConf2024 lineup of transformative, Indigenous-led tech sessions- https://bit.ly/NITConf2024 (All times are in PDT) ?? 10:00 AM – Opening Words Welcome from our Board to set the tone for connection, learning, and Native innovation. ?? 10:10 AM – Collective Knowledge & Mutual Support Explore Indigenous healing frameworks in tech, fostering community resilience. ?? 10:30 AM – Adobe IFNA Digital Storytelling Brian Johnsrud, Yanavah Jones, Jaclyn Robinson, Natalie I. Contreras, and Brandon Hartness share digital stories in “Let’s Belong Together: Harvesting Heritage.” ?? 10:50 AM – Strengthening the Circle Bonnie Sachatello-Sawyer of Hopa Mountain shares how Native-led nonprofits are empowered through collaboration. ?? 11:10 AM – Lightning Talks Featuring Tirzah S. with the First Nations Technology Council, Richard Chance - founder of FAME, Ryan St. Germaine ??, Raymond Otene M., Jeff Rhoton on Native tech journeys. ?? 11:40 AM – Sparking Solar Energy Spark Northwest on their work with the Makah, Nooksack, and Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribes to explore solar energy and Tribal Energy Sovereignty. ?? 12:00 PM – Kanaka-Centric Design Team Amy McKee and Carlo Liquido return?to explore decolonizing design through culturally relevant Kanaka Maoli practices. ?? 12:20 PM – ?āinaQuest Amy McKee introduces place-based gameplay for native plant conservation. ?? 12:40 PM – Pi?ikū Panel Kim Davidson and members of the Pi?ikū Co. team discuss empowering tech talent in Hawai?i. ?? 1:00 PM – Networking Break - Meet 2 people in 20 mins ?? 1:20 PM – Decolonizing Data Film & Conversation Watch “We Carry You With Us” by Abigail Echo-Hawk (Pawnee) and join a talk on data sovereignty. ?? 2:20 PM – Yucayekeno Connect Priscilla Bell and Alex Cruz on connecting Borikua Taino descendants through kinship networks. ?? 2:40 PM – Portable MRI for Indigenous Health Angela Teeple on MRI tech for Indigenous health empowerment. ?? 3:00 PM – Sponsor Appreciation & Closing Remarks A heartfelt thank-you as we wrap up another year of incredible Native-led tech and innovation. Get it on your calendar - its FREE: https://bit.ly/NITConf2024 hashtag #IndigenousTech hashtag #NativeInnovation

Today is the day! :D Can't wait to visit and hear from everyone!