Office of Resolution Management, Diversity & Inclusion (ORMDI)
American Indian & Alaska Native
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 Nation's Veterans, their families, and beneficiaries.
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 Program is designed to create plans to address potential and validated discriminatory and inequitable practices in hiring and employment and ensure full participation of AI/ANs 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 more 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.
Executive Orders
- Executive Order 11478 – Equal Employment Opportunity in the Federal Government
- Executive Order 13175 – Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments
- Executive Order 13511 – Continuance of Certain Federal Advisory Committees
- Executive Order 13562 – Recruiting and Hiring Students and Recent Graduates
- Executive Order 13583 – Establishing a Coordinated Government-wide Initiative to Promote Diversity and Inclusion in the Federal Workforce
- Executive Order 13985 – Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the Federal Government
- Executive Order 14035 – Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility in the Federal Workforce
- Executive Order 14049 - White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Native Americans and Strengthening Tribal Colleges and Universities Affinity Organizations
- American Indian College Fund
- American Indian Disability Technical Assistance Center
- American Indian Graduate Center
- American Indian Heritage Foundation
- American Indian Higher Education Consortium
- American Indian Library Association
- American Indian Science & Engineering Society
- Association of American Indian Physicians
- National Congress of American Indians
- North American Iroquois Veterans Association
- Society of American Indian Government Employees
MOUs and Partnership Agreements
VA maintains Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with the following agency and affinity organization:
External Affinity Conferences Approved for VA-wide Participation
(VA External Affinity Confrences Memo [PDF])
For more information on external affinity conferences approved for VA-wide participation, please visit the following:
Observances (VA SEP Observances Memo [PDF])
ORMDI provides a SEP Observances Toolkit as guidance to field facilities on implementing activities for special observances, including the following:
- American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month (November)
Employment
ORMDI does not offer or conduct employment services. Please visit the following:
- VA Careers
- Veteran Employment Program (VEP)
- National Diversity Internship Program (NDIP)
- Workforce Recruitment Program (WRP)
- Pathways at VA
- Department of Labor, Career One Stop
Internal Resources
- Center for Minority Veterans
- National Center for Veterans Analysis and Statistics
- Office of Tribal Government Relations
- VA Benefits and Programs for Native American Veterans
- VHA Office of Rural Health
External Government Resources
- Bureau of Indian Affairs
- Census, American Indian and Alaska Native Data Links
- Census, Intergovernmental Affairs: Tribal Affairs - American Indian and Alaska Native
- Department of Health and Human Services, Minority Health, American Indian/Alaska Native Profile
- Department of Interior Tribal Leaders Directory
- Indian Health Service
- Library of Congress: Cherokee Native American Culture
- National Archives, Indians/Native Americans
- National Archives, Native American Heritage
- National Archives, Semper Fidelis, Code Talkers
- National Archives, Veterans Service Records
- National Museum of the American Indian
- National Native American Veterans Memorial
- National Park Service, Native American Heritage
- Native Americans in the U.S. Air Force
- Native Americans in the U.S. Army
- Native Americans in the U.S. Coast Guard [PDF]
- Native Americans in the U.S. Marine Corps
- Native Americans in the U.S. Navy
- Public Law 95-341, American Indian Religious Freedom
- Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
- Veterans History Project, American Indian and Alaska Native
- 20th Century Warriors: Native American Participation in the United States Military
Other External Resources
Program Contact
Ms. Tynetta Lee, VA’s National American Indian/Alaska Native Special Emphasis Program Manager, ORMDI.
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