Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI)

American Indian and Alaska Native Program

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proudly leads the effort to build a diverse workforce and cultivate an inclusive work environment. We do this by developing and implementing policies and programs that promote diversity and inclusion in our workplace as we strive to ensure that VA’s workforce is drawn from the broadest segments of society so that it is poised to meet the present and future needs of our Nations Veterans, their families, and survivors.

The Department places a high priority on respecting the government-to-government relationship between the Federal government and the federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native tribes and their unique sovereign status.

The purpose of the American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) Special Emphasis Program is to help identify and eliminate actual and perceived recruitment and employment inequities (if any exist), which may adversely affect AI/AN employees and applicants, and to identify areas with less than expected participation and under-utilization of AI/AN in VA’s workforce.

Within this framework, some of the specific program objectives include:

• Identify and address barriers to the hiring, development and advancement of AI/AN.
• Assist to develop and implement special program initiatives that will enhance the employment and advancement of the AI/AN program.
• Identify ways to ensure equal consideration for promotions, training, and awards for AI/AN.
• Monitor separation and disciplinary actions for AI/AN.
• Serve as liaison between recruiters and internal/external organizations which can assist in recruitment efforts and activities.
• Develop and maintaining positive working relationships with community, professional and national organizations, college and universities.

For more information, contact the program manager, or for additional resources, visit the National Native American Heritage Month page.

Explore Careers

• VA Careers
• VA’s Native American Initiative
• Department of Labor, Career One Stop
• Native American and Tribal Education, Jobs, and Economic Development

Veterans Employment

• VA for Vets
• VA Careers
• VA's Native American Initiative
• Department of Labor, Career One Stop
• Native American and Tribal Education, Jobs, and Economic Development

Career Advancement Tools

• Under development

Native American Congressional Medal Honor Recipients

• http://www.defense.gov/specials/nativeamerican01/honor.html
• http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq61-3.htm

VA Annual Reporting Requirements

• Federally mandated reports
• http://www.ed.gov/edblogs/whiaiane/

VA PowerPoint Presentations

• Under development

MOUs and Partnership Agreements

• VA and Indian Health Services

Executive Orders

• Executive Order 13592 – Improving American Indian and Alaska Native Educational Opportunities and Strengthening Tribal Colleges and Universities, December 2, 2011
• Executive Order 13583 – Establishing a Coordinated Government-wide Initiative to Promote Diversity and Inclusion in the Federal Workforce, August 18, 2011
• Executive Order 13562 – Recruiting and Hiring Students and Recent Graduates, December 27, 2010 
• Executive Order 11478 – Equal employment opportunity in the Federal Government

VA Resources

• Center for Minority Veterans
• Office of Tribal Government Relations
• VHA's Office of Rural Health
• National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics
• American Indian and Alaska Native Servicemembers and Veterans Report

External Resources

• Working Effectively with Tribal Governments
• National Archives, Native American Heritage
• National Archives, Veterans Service Records
• Department of Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs
• National Museum of the American Indian
• Department of Interior, National Park Service, Native American Indian Heritage Month
• Department of Commerce, Census
• American Indian Disability Technical Assistance Center
• Alaskool, Alaska Native History
• U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Minority Health, American Indian/Alaska Native Profile
• Department of Interior (Spring 2011) Tribal Leaders Directory
• Health Disparities

American Indian Alaska Native (AI/AN) Youth & Internship Information

• American Indian Science and Engineering Society
• American University, Washington Internships for Native Students
• American Indian Higher Education Consortium
• Department of VA Internship Program, National Diversity Internship Program
• Scholarships, Grants, and Fellowships

National Affinity Organizations and Training Programs

• The Society of American Indian Government Employees - Save the Date!
• American Indian Science and Engineering Society
• National Indian and Native American Employment and Training Conference
• SACNAS is a society of scientists dedicated to fostering the success of Hispanic/Chicano and Native American scientists—from college students to professionals—to attain advanced degrees, careers, and positions of leadership in science.
• Native American organizations

VA Outreach Activities & Training Calendar

• Under development

News

• Under development

ODI Links:

• Recruitment Guide
• Glossary of Terms
• Observance Authorities
• Strategic Plan
• American Indian Month
• Hispanic Program