As part of Native American Heritage Month, we have asked some of our Native American employees and board members to contribute to our blog as guest writers. We asked them what Native American Heritage Month means to them, and what they would want the community to know. Join us as we open our platform to new voices on our blog!
By Amber Williams
Hesci (Hello),
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog today. My name is Amber Williams, and I am a proud citizen of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation and a board member of Hunter Health. This Native American Heritage Month is particularly meaningful to me — a true full-circle moment.
Although I didn’t grow up on the reservation in Oklahoma, I have always been deeply aware of my heritage. My grandmother moved from Eufaula, Oklahoma, to Kansas with her family in the 1950s. Many of my relatives — my aunts, father, uncles, brother, and cousins —attended Haskell Indian Nations University, a tribal college in Lawrence, Kansas.
I cherish the stories my grandmother used to tell me about our family’s roots. As the matriarch, she was a source of wisdom and strength for everyone. Both she and my grandfather were well-known for their community work, and their legacy inspired me to give back, as well.
Native American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate and raise awareness of our culture, traditions, and the important issues facing Indian Country today. As a young girl, I remember asking my father how I could contribute to my community. That question has guided my journey, particularly over the past three years.
When I decided to return to school to become an engineer, I made a promise to share my resources, especially with my Native sisters and brothers. Both my grandmother and mother taught me the importance of generosity — when you are blessed, you share those blessings with others. I once read that while traditions and language define us as Native people, the true essence of our identity lies in sharing our gifts with others.
It’s also crucial to shed light on what’s happening in Indian Country today. Since 2016, there have been 5,712 reports of missing or murdered American Indian and Alaska Native women and girls. This heartbreaking issue demands attention, and I am committed to using my voice and platform to raise awareness and keep this conversation alive.
We often talk about equity and inclusivity, but Native American communities are too frequently left out of these discussions. Representation matters, and there is so much talent in Indian Country that deserves to be seen and celebrated.
MVTO (Thank you),
Amber Williams
