Entering a season of reflection, gratitude and celebration, we take a moment of appreciation for DPR employees who have taken a less traditional path, by way of occupational diversity, to building careers in the construction industry. And as we honor Native American History Month, we elevate the voices of DPR employees who identify with the Native American community, sharing the stories of how they started in construction, the sense of belonging, support, empowerment and encouragement that they give and receive every day, and sentiments on honoring and embracing cultural heritage in the workplace and beyond.

"When you get to be part of it, and understand how we authentically live our Core Values, you can understand why people are so happy here. I want to make sure that anyone I interact with feels important and takes away something positive from our interaction."

I came to work at DPR through a temporary agency to cover for a receptionist on maternity leave. I would greet everyone in the morning and people were so cheerful and genuinely happy to be at work. I thought to myself, “I want to be that person someday!” After a month I was offered a permanent receptionist position and gladly accepted. After seven-and-a-half years, I moved into my current role as self-perform work field office coordinator.

Seeing how happy people were in my first few months made me think about how I could be in that place. When you get to be part of it and understand how we authentically live our Core Values, you can understand why people are so happy here. I want to make sure that anyone I interact with feels important and takes away something positive from our interaction.

"The industry can be intimidating for people who don’t fit into a traditional mold. It fills me with gratitude, inspiration and encouragement when I witness my coworkers being an ally for women, LGBTQIA+ communities, the environment, human rights, minority groups and individuals with different abilities."

Construction is not my background, and it had never been a goal to work in the industry, but since I started working in construction four years ago, what draws me in is the need for innovation. Not just in how we build but how we exist together as a workforce. I’ve seen us build incredible things when we come together as a team and work through challenges.

The industry can be intimidating for people who don’t fit into a traditional mold. It fills me with gratitude, inspiration and encouragement when I witness my coworkers being an ally for women, LGBTQIA+ communities, the environment, human rights, minority groups and individuals with different abilities.

Being Native American in modern America comes with challenges. Whether it’s mis-labeling, mascots, skewed historical narrative, Halloween costumes or navigating colonial-American holidays, my perspective is often much different than modern Americans. Navigating these traumas, while maintaining peace and balance within my own mind and relationships, have been a constant practice. In the construction industry, I would like to see more people asking questions, getting more involved in education and supporting individuals as they live authentically. Even if we have different perspectives, values or beliefs, we all want safety, acceptance and community.

"My advice to anyone curious about another’s heritage or background is, don’t be afraid to ask, as most of us are happy to talk about our heritage. As for someone who is asked, remember to extend a certain amount of grace to those inquiring, and assume they are coming with good intentions. They may not know the best way to word their questions."

I fell into construction nine years ago while I was transitioning from being a teaching assistant back into the corporate world. Construction wasn’t something I’d ever considered, and I had been working in public schools for six years with students with special needs. Through a friend’s connection, I was hired as receptionist/office assistant for a contracting firm. After a year of working with that contractor, I had officially become interested in construction and felt a certain pride in inadvertently keeping the family history going: my grandfather was a carpenter, and my dad was a heavy equipment operator.

I was surprised to find working in construction is more laid back than most office jobs. There’s a family feel that you don’t often see in other office environments. I have been encouraged by the willingness of my male counterparts to teach and share their knowledge and am inspired by women who joined construction when they weren’t quite accepted with open arms, and by those who seek to have careers within the industry today.

While I was not raised celebrating or practicing Native American traditions, my advice to anyone curious about another’s heritage or background is, don’t be afraid to ask, as politely as possible of course. Most of us are happy to talk about our heritage. As for someone who is asked, remember to extend a certain amount of grace to those inquiring, and assume they are coming with good intention. They may not know the best way to word their questions.

DPR’s monthly Global Social Responsibility (GSR): Be a Pillar series spotlights diverse experiences and perspectives of employees and partners. During National Native American History Month and beyond, DPR recognizes the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the U.S. and is honored to highlight stories of employees who identify with the Native American community. We are proud to foster the full spectrum of talent and ideas that exist among all diverse communities within the DPR family.