This weblog was written by Alice Sanchez, a CPX Software Architect and Co-Global Lead of Cisco’s Native American Network (NAN).
November is Native American Heritage Month — on this month we are able to all come collectively to have a good time the tradition, traditions, historical past and honor the contributions of our nation’s first individuals. I’m impressed by my tradition, the Native/Indigenous neighborhood, and the perseverance of my household, and I’m grateful for individuals who paved the way in which for me to have the alternatives I’ve had in my profession. I’m Pomo, Hawaiian, and Choctaw, and my household and neighborhood have been impacted by systemic insurance policies meant to eradicate our very existence; that’s the actuality of my individuals.
I’m an enormous advocate for my native neighborhood right here in Oakland, California. I function a board member for the Intertribal Friendship House, the place I spend most of my time outdoors of labor volunteering, delivering meals to elders and needy households, serving meals at drum and dance, the elders luncheons, working the sales space on the Red Market, organizing turkey donations, Christmas donations and a lot extra. To me Intertribal Friendship House is greater than a corporation. It is the center of a vibrant Tribal neighborhood. My grandmother who I used to be named after was one of many co-founders again within the 1940’s and I’m persevering with her legacy. Cisco workers can discover data on how one can donate right here.
I’m proud to work at Cisco and to interrupt by most of the challenges that BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and folks of colour) ladies face within the tech trade. My journey in tech began a few years in the past as an Executive Assistant for a Fortune 500 monetary establishment. In that function, I began to assist the Information Security Office and realized that I get pleasure from solution-focused work. This led me to work for a number of giant tech firms, touring to numerous international locations throughout the globe.
I joined Cisco in 2018 supporting compliance certifications, and ultimately turned an Audit Lead for Cisco’s largest clients. During this time I used to be additionally nominated for the Excellent Performance Award by a Senior Director. I transitioned to Cisco Meraki to assist with standardized safety and assurance certifications. Currently, I’m working in Customer & Partner Experience as a Compliance Engineering Architect. While right here I used to be acknowledged by my management to take part in Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT) Career Advancement Program, an initiative that prepares extremely gifted, mid-career professionals for senior management roles.
Cisco’s Native American Network (NAN)
I’m very captivated with co-leading the Native American Network (NAN), considered one of Cisco’s Inclusive Communities, as we elevate Native/Indigenous voices. I shortly realized about Cisco’s dedication to full-spectrum variety and inclusion by worker communities that allow engagement, optimistic impression, and giving again. This is the primary firm I’ve labored for to supply such wonderful assist and studying alternatives for workers.
NAN is a Native American inclusive neighborhood devoted to rising and empowering Native/Indigenous views at Cisco and past. We elevate consciousness inside Cisco (Native and non-Native) on tribal points, social justice, occasions, and offering boards to study Native cultures. And we obtain this by our 5 pillars — Community, Connect, Professional Development, Social Justice, and Talent Acquisition. We are open membership and welcome all allies and supporters, Native or Non-Native, and Cisco workers are welcome to affix our community by our inner website.
We have hosted many occasions corresponding to our dialogue on “Columbus vs Indigenous Peoples Day” and a cultural appreciation collection that highlights Indigenous cooking, beading, and language preservation. We elevate consciousness of Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW), and we set up a e book membership that options Native authors. We additionally shared an insightful speak with filmmaker Willow O’Feral, documentarian Brad Heck, and artist Gregg Deal.
Here are some concepts on how one can become involved throughout Native American Heritage Month (and all yr!):
- Learn in regards to the Native tribes in your space
- Check out Native American museums and cultural facilities
- Take a deeper dive with Native American heritage websites
- Read books by or about Native Americans, Alaska Natives, or Native Hawaiians
- Connect with the land
- Learn about conventional Native American, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian music and devices
- Sample genuine Native American meals
- Attend a powwow
I’m very honored to work for an organization that fosters an setting the place traditionally underrepresented ladies might be profitable, and I’m pleased with the dedication Cisco has made to Native/Indigenous communities, to pay attention, study and elevate our voices. In partnership with a few of our largest clients, Cisco is devoted to making sure state-of-the-art broadband networks are deployed by as many acknowledged Native American Tribes as doable.
Here, I’m inspired to be a robust, assured, Native Woman. Thank you, Cisco!
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