Truth Telling About Indigenous People

We were intentional and strategic in 2018 when we established a relationship with the Racial Equity Institute (REI) that has resulted in several two-day workshops for Walmart leaders on the history of race and systemic racism in America. I’ve been fortunate to participate in most of those sessions, and I’ve learned something new every time. Yesterday and today I’ve been on a virtual REI workshop with some of our most senior leaders, including Doug McMillon, John Furner, Brett Biggs, Dan Bartlett, Donna Morris, Rachel Brand, and others working on the systemic racial equity working groups.

 As I reflected yesterday on a startling statistic cited by one of the REI facilitators, the note below went out from Dennis Worden, chair of our Tribal Voices Associate Resource Group (ARG). The REI facilitator stated that today Native Americans represent only about 2 million people – or 1% of the U.S. population – despite there being an estimated 30 million indigenous people when Christopher Columbus first arrived in America.

 Bryan Stevenson has said that we must have some truth-telling before we can ever have reconciliation and repair, and the need for truth-telling as it relates to racial injustice extends beyond the Black and African American population.

 The truth is that the word Redsk*ns is a racial slur. If you don’t think it is, tell me if you’d ever think of calling a Native American a “redsk*n” to their face. The truth is, the Washington football name and mascot are painful reminders for Native Americans of the genocide and forced removal that resulted in a 15x decline in the indigenous population. The truth is, American Indian women face murder rates 10x the national average, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. The stereotyping and dehumanization of indigenous people and the objectification that can result has been cited as a possible cause for such violence.

 I realize that not every Native American is offended by the Washington mascot, and that is an individual choice. What I also know is that I have personal relationships with members of the Cherokee, Couer d’ Alene, and Navajo nations who are deeply offended by the Washington name and mascot. I also know that the National Congress of American Indians, one of Walmart’s trusted advisers and collaborators on Native American affairs, has been advocating against indigenous people as mascots for more than 50 years.

I believe that ultimately we all will be judged by what we have done for the least among us. I know that Native Americans represent only about 1% of our U.S. population and Walmart workforce, yet I also know that we’re seeing unprecedented progress on racial equity issues today because we’re lifting a collective voice. That 1% is a vital, essential and valued part of the 100% of our company and our country, and it’s time for all of us to stand up and lift up the voices of our indigenous associates and citizens who are shouting #NotYourMascot.