Indian Nation Leaders Visit Wal-Mart to Share Culture and Educate Associates

The face of America is diverse, and it is imperative that businesses reflect this reality, according to Wal-Mart, one of the American Indian College Fund's supporters. Wal-Mart strives to be the retailer of choice, employer of choice, business partner of choice and a good neighbor for diverse communities nationwide. As part of its commitment and the company's continued efforts to broaden outreach to American Indians and Alaska Natives, in November Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. hosted leaders from nine Indian Nations at its home office in Bentonville, Arkansas.  Representatives from other prominent groups were also in attendance, including Rick Waters of the American Indian College Fund (the Fund), and representatives from Haskell Indian Nations University, Tiller's Guide and the Native American Chamber of Commerce.

“It was truly an honor for our company to host dignitaries from Indian Nations as their visit will play an important role in broadening our outreach to American Indians,” said Esther Silver-Parker, senior vice president, diversity relations, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. “Wal-Mart has long maintained relationships with various tribal organizations, and having the opportunity to recognize the nations that attended only strengthens our commitment to these communities.”

The three-day meeting, co-sponsored by Wal-Mart's Office of Diversity Relations and the company's American Indian and Alaska Native Associate Resource Group, Tribal Voices, allowed Wal-Mart associates and representatives from Indian Nations to discuss how to better serve Native Americans. The meetings, which were part of Tribal Voices' celebration of American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month, featured discussions on various topics including the diversity within the American Indian culture, recruitment efforts and addressing the needs of customers who reside on reservations or tribal lands. A ttendees were also invited to Wal-Mart's famed Saturday morning company-wide business meeting where the Tribal Voices leadership welcomed the representatives of each Nation with Pendleton blankets.  Rick Waters of the Fund reciprocated the gesture by wrapping John Menzer, Vice Chairman and Chief Administrative Officer of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., and Monte Boulanger, Chair of the Tribal Voices Associate Resource Group, in Pendleton blankets. Tribal college students also made a video for attendees, in which they thanked Wal-Mart associates for their scholarship support.

Wal-Mart operates more than 140 stores and Sam's Clubs on or near tribal lands and reservations nationwide. Wal-Mart continuously measures its success in assisting all communities, including the Native American community, through local, national and international support and outreach. Throughout the year, Wal-Mart works to support Native American nations through scholarship, sponsorship and service. The retailer's efforts include financial donations to the American Indian College Fund for the Wal-Mart Tribal College Scholarship Program, which provides the nation's tribal colleges and universities with grants and scholarship money.

Wal-Mart's Tribal Voices Associate Resource Group, comprised of nearly 100 American Indian associates located in the company's Home Office, is integral in advising the retailer and other associates about Indian ways and Indian Country. The meeting with the representatives of Indian Nations, conducted in a traditional manner with respect to the Elders and the Nations, allowed Wal-Mart to further educate its associates about the American Indian and Native Alaskan community and strengthen the company's cultural competence.