Winds of Change - Spring 2017 - 24

ROYLENE
RIDES-AT-THE-DOOR
(Continued from page 23)

continental United States," says
Rides-at-the-door. "We exceed the
national labor force for numbers
of American Indians and meet
the national labor force average in
other areas. I'm proud to be a
continuing part of that effort."
NRCS provides effective
training to federal employees on
how to work with Natives,
Hispanics, Asian-Pacific Islanders,
and women producers in their
locations," she explains. Training
includes a workshop that is
hosted by a particular tribe where
participants learn about the tribe,
their history, culture, and
customs. There are, according to
Rides-at-the-door, 29 tribes in
Washington.
"Elders, tribal attorneys,
and other tribal members
share their expertise and
experiences with the group so they
can gain a better understanding of
how to more effectively assist
others in the community," says
Rides-at-the-door. "The agency

ranchers or farmers
to assist them," she
says. "This model
works well for
AISES, and it has
been beneficial for
Roylene Rides-at-the-door and her father, one
of the first tribal members in NRCS programs, us and AIANEA.
look at plants on the Native rangeland in 1995. We are now 250
members strong,
and this number includes both
has taken this program to women
Native and non-Native members."
farmers, Hispanics, Asian-Pacific
As a recent example of her
Islanders, and others."
efforts as part of NRCS, she cites an
The agency also offers unique
initiative to prevent sage grouse in
programs for Native tribes,
Washington from being included
producers, farmers, and ranchers
on the endangered species list.
living in Washington State as well
"For the past five years, NRCS was
as scholarships for members
asked to work with local producers
attending tribal colleges.
to assist with protecting and
The NRCS fosters an
growing the local sage grouse
American Indian Alaska Native
Employee Association (AIANEA), population. Fortunately, we were
successful and the sage grouse was
which Rides-at-the-door helped
kept off the endangered species
form, and the group includes the
list," says Rides-at-the-door. "This
cadre of trainers involved with
was the first time in history a
NRCS workshops.
species that close to extinction was
"I model this organization
kept off the list, and we are quite
after the AISES structure, and by
proud of that."
that I mean with a Council of
This partnering with the
Elders from throughout the
various communities who discuss community - including
the Sierra Club, the Washington
issues as a group and share their
State Farm Bureau, the Nature
experiences with community

Conservancy, cattle ranchers, and
dairy producers - has inspired
Rides-at-the-door to continue
working for the NRCS for the past
27 years. "I serve as a facilitator by
introducing our organization and
technical and financial resources
to outside organizations and
private landowners. We make
recommendations for addressing
an issue or need, and then the
community member selects the
approach or potential solution
that works best for them," explains
Rides-at-the-door. "It's a very
rewarding experience."
Her initial exposure to the
NRCS came when she was still
living at home on her family's
Montana ranch. "They showed up
to install 13 miles of fence, and
my dad asked me to help," recalls
Rides-at-the-door. "That's when I
realized how important the
USDA and the NRCS are to local
tribes, farmers, ranchers, and
producers. They help provide the
resources that support the
community and ensure that these
lands will remain sustainable for
generations to come."
- Kimberly Locke

IBM

A hallmark of IBM's history has been hiring and promoting women,
minorities, and the disabled long before "inclusion" became a
mainstream corporate goal. Although the company traces its roots to
three 19th-century predecessors - all business machine manufacturers - IBM emerged as a world-leading technology firm in the
1950s under the leadership of Thomas J. Watson. Watson's bold
decision to move into mainframe computers in the early 1960s set
the company on its path to becoming today's global technology icon.
Although IBM has pioneered many innovative services and
products - like the ubiquitous magnetic strips on credit cards -
the company defines itself by its values. Those foundational
principles include a focus on the success of every client, innovation
that matters for the world as well as for the company's bottom line,
and trust and responsibility in all relationships. But the company's
one-word slogan, T-H-I-N-K, is even more famous. It was introduced by Watson himself when he pointed out that "I didn't think"
has cost the world millions of dollars. Today those thinking
employees form a diverse global community of innovators who
are encouraged to use their skills outside, as well as inside, IBM.

24 WINDS OF CHANGE * SPRING 2017

The company's Business Resource Groups engage in community
outreach as well as recruiting and talent development. Overall, the
company has been recognized with many awards for the success of
its diversity initiatives.

aises.org

COURTESY OF ROYLENE RIDES-AT-THE-DOOR (TOP); IBM RESEARCH (BOTTOM)

DIVERSITY OF PEOPLE, DIVERSITY OF THOUGHT

http://www.aises.org

Winds of Change - Spring 2017

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