Fife Visits Wal-Mart Home Office As Part Of American Indian Heritage Month

Fife Visits Wal-Mart Home Office As Part Of American Indian Heritage Month

Dr. Phyllis Fife, center of front table, director of the NSU Center for Tribal Studies listens to a presentation from Jane Thompson, president of Wal-Mart Financial Services, about the many initiatives Wal-Mart is undertaking to service customers throughout the U.S.

TAHLEQUAH Dr. Phyllis Fife, director of the Northeastern State University Center for Tribal Studies was among the more than 30 partners from across the country to Wal-Marts Home Office in Bentonville, Ark. as part of American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month on Nov. 18-20.

The three-day meeting, co-sponsored by Wal-Marts Corporate Affairs - Diversity Relations and the companys American Indian and Alaska Native Associate Resource Group, Tribal Voices, featured discussions about Wal-Marts efforts to better serve the needs of Indian Country in the areas of education and recruitment, financial services, marketing, health and wellness and merchandising. The meeting was also aimed towards fostering greater understanding and awareness about the programs and services offered by NSU and the Center for Tribal Studies.

Wal-Mart and NSU recently partnered together to create the Supply Chain Management degree program at the venerable institution. The program is geared towards training students for careers in the expanding field of Supply Chain Management. In addition to working with NSU on the logistics of the program, Wal-Mart also created a scholarship endowment for students studying Supply Chain Management, with a preference for American Indian students.

As part of the multi-day event, the group visited Bentonvilles Museum of Native American Artifacts. The museum offers a glimpse into what life was like for America's indigenous people through exhibits and artifacts of five different time periods. There were several other programs and events held at the Home Office throughout the month, including an Osage powwow demonstration event, hosted by Tribal Voices.

At Wal-Mart, our commitment to diversity in all areas of our business is not just something we talk about, its engrained in everything we do, said Esther Silver-Parker, senior vice president, Corporate Affairs - Diversity Relations, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. With the help of programs and outreach like this, we are able to stay on course during our continuing journey to meet the needs of our friends in the American Indian and Alaska Native communities.

Currently, Wal-Mart operates more than 150 stores and Sams Clubs on or near tribal lands and reservations nationwide. Throughout the year, Wal-Mart works to support Native American Nations through scholarship, program sponsorship and service including donating to the American Indian College Fund.

12/17/2008

Published: 2008-12-17 00:00:00