Indigenous Peoples' Day: Technology, History And The Future

Like many cultural holidays Indigenous Peoples' Day has become more than a simple holiday with bank closures; it's a reclamation of identity, culture and justice. What are the best ways Indigenous People can be included in the future of the channel?

As we as inclusive leaders step away from Columbus Day and the harmful narratives it upholds, Indigenous Peoples' Day offers a moment for reflection. It invites us to reconsider how we view history, whose stories we tell. But there is another level of reflection that this holiday brings. It sets a time whereby we can reflect on how technology can either be a tool for cultural empowerment or perpetuate intercultural harm.

The Columbus Day Dilemma

To be clear, we’re not here to cancel a holiday without understanding the why behind the what. Columbus Day has long been celebrated, but it’s worth asking: who benefits from a narrative within which one culture is elevated at the expense and erasure of another? Columbus’ arrival in 1492 wasn’t a story of discovery but one of colonization, violence, and the erasure of Native peoples and their cultures. Celebrating Indigenous Peoples' Day isn’t just a counterpoint; it’s a reclamation of truth. It’s a step toward acknowledging that the Americas were not empty lands waiting to be discovered, but homes to vibrant, complex societies.

This is where representation becomes key—not as an afterthought but as a fundamental shift in how we recall history. Acknowledging Indigenous cultures and their significance affirms their existence and worth. It’s an antidote to the colonial mindset, validating the rich cultural heritage that continues to thrive despite continuous attempts to erase it.

Technology: A Double-Edged Sword

Now, I know what you’re thinking: What role does technology play in all this? I’m so glad you asked. Technology, like many things, is a tool—one that can uplift but also harm. I had the pleasure of speaking with Sunny Myers, senior inclusion and diversity leader at Fastly, an edge cloud platform.

Sunny shared honest insight and concerns stating, “Honestly, as a technologist and Native woman, I struggle with the role of tech in our community. Tech offers opportunities for Native people to preserve and revitalize languages and cultures, but it has also perpetuated harm. From the spread of stereotypes and the exploitation of cultural knowledge to increasing digital divide, tech often reflects ongoing systemic issues.”

Sunny goes on to say, “We must ensure that technology serves Native values and sovereignty, protecting rather than exploiting our cultural and digital futures…and everyone has responsibility in that."

We as the IT channel and inclusive leaders must mitigate against swooping in with tokenized efforts. Rather, our ecosystem must truly partner with Indigenous communities, respecting their knowledge systems and prioritizing their sovereignty.

Indigenous Entrepreneurship And Tech

Let’s talk data because, like Sunny, I love it. I was surprised to find that Native Americans make up less than 1 percent of the tech workforce and own only 0.4 percent of U.S. businesses. These numbers are not a coincidence; they reflect historical patterns of exclusion and (my least favorite concept: marginalization). Indigenous entrepreneurs in tech face challenges that include under-representation and land sovereignty issues, limiting access to mentorship and resources.

As Sunny highlighted, “Native Americans are 65 percent less likely to receive full funding. Indigenous tech entrepreneurs face challenges such as under-representation that limits mentorship and networking opportunities ... land and resource sovereignty issues that complicate business operations tied to Indigenous communities.”

The tech industry can help by investing in Indigenous communities, but we also have to be intentional. This is not about ticking a diversity box; it’s about building relationships that respect Indigenous governance and autonomy.

Sunny emphasizes, “Relationships are critical for tech companies and businesses to support Indigenous sovereignty and data ownership better. Building respectful, collaborative relationships with Indigenous communities ensures that data collection, ownership and usage are rooted in consent, transparency and cultural values.”

Lessons From Indigenous Knowledge Systems

If there’s one thing inclusive business leaders could consider, it’s that Indigenous knowledge systems may hold the key to ethical tech development. Indigenous peoples have been caretakers of the land, practicing stewardship that prioritizes long-term systems of balance. Sunny put it perfectly: “Indigenous knowledge systems offer valuable lessons for modern businesses in sustainability, ethical technology standards and land stewardship. Indigenous peoples view themselves as caretakers of the land, prioritizing long-term ecological balance and protecting resources for seven future generations.”

By embedding these Indigenous principles into tech development, we can create technologies that serve the common good, rather than just capital gain. This isn’t about tokenism; it’s about genuinely reimagining the future.

Moving Forward

In conclusion, Indigenous Peoples' Day offers a path forward—not just in how we understand history, but how we build the future. As we navigate the intersection of technology and culture, we must be vigilant about whose stories we tell and whose knowledge we prioritize. Technology, when wielded responsibly, can be a powerful ally in this journey. But it requires intentionality, respect and a commitment to equity that centers Indigenous voices, not as an afterthought, but as an essential part of our collective progress.

As I often say, by continuing to call attention to marginalization where it happens, we build the tools necessary to imagine the future we want—rather than settling for the present we have. And that, gentle reader, is the real legacy worth celebrating.

The Inclusive Leadership Newsletter is a must-read for news, tips, and strategies focused on advancing successful diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in technology and across the IT channel. Subscribe today!