Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI)

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American Indian and Alaska Native Employment 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 Nation's 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 (AI/AN) tribes and their unique sovereign status.

The VA AI/AN Special Emphasis Program is designed to create plans to address potential and validated discriminatory and inequitable practices in hiring and employment and ensure full participation of AAPIs by implementing plans to eliminate adverse data trends at all levels of the agency.  See 29 Code of Federal Regulation, Part 1614.102(b)(4) for additional information.

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 Special Emphasis Program Manager or, for additional resources, visit the National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month page.

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News

• TBD

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Explore Careers

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

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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

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Career Advancement Tools

• TMS

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Native American Congressional Medal Honor Recipients

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

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VA Annual Reporting Requirements

• http://www.ed.gov/edblogs/whiaiane

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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

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External Resources

• Scholarships for Native American Students
• National Museum of the American Indian
• Skydancer Documentary
• Documentary Traces Brooklyn's Mohawk Ironworkers
• 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

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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
• National American Indian Virtual Science & Engineering Fair

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MOUs and Partnership Agreements

• VA and Indian Health Services (PDF)

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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

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Related Links

• Patriot Nations: Native Americans in Our Nation's Armed Forces (PDF)
• Organizations
• Program Contact
• Events and Conferences Calendar
• Special Emphasis Program Observances for 2019
• Authorities Supporting Special Observances
• Event Planning Tool
• FY 2019 External Affinity Conferences Approved for VA-wide Participation
• VA's National Diversity Internship Program
• Federally Mandated Reports

Note: This page links to external information on the Internet. VA is not responsible for the content or privacy policies of these Web sites, and linking to these sites does not constitute endorsement by VA of the sites' sponsors or the information, products, or services they provide.

ODI Links:

• HBCU Week
• Religious Policy
• Other Guidance
• About Us
• Am. Indian Emp. Prg.
• Intern Program