Faculty, staff, and graduate and professional students are invited to participate in the Indigenous Employee Resource Group lunch meeting taking place froom 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17.

Established in 2021, the group's purpose is to promote a stronger sense of community among Native American and Indigenous employees at the U of A. Activities have included social and business meeting, collaborations with other entities on campus and regular updates about Indigenous events and news around campus and Northwest Arkansas.

To join the Indigenous Employee Resource Group, please fill out the interest form provided by Human Resources and email swilkie@uark.edu to RSVP for the upcoming meeting.

"Before the Indigenous Employee Resource Group was established it wasn't unusual to find out about events after they took place if at all. The email list helps make sure all staff and faculty are invited to participate in campus events pertaining to them, like Native American Heritage Month programming," said Michelle Childress, tribal citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and faculty member of College of Education and Health Professions.

Another faculty and IERG member, Megan York, is a Cherokee Nation tribal citizen and education librarian in the Mullins Library. She shared, "When I first got to campus, I began reaching out to connect with Indigenous faculty in STEM, I was so happy to learn about the existing Indigenous Employee Resource Group and get involved."

Anyone who is interested in participating is welcome.