The Future of Work is Diverse, Inclusive, Just and Equitable
GlobalMindED closes the equity gap by creating a capable, diverse talent pipeline through connections to role models, mentors, internships for low-income students, returning adults, First Gen to college and inclusive leaders who teach them, work with them and hire them.
|
|
Oglala Lakota Leader, Formerly Homeless, Plants Success Seeds as Legacy for the Future: Meet Shaun Little Horn
Today, meet Shawn Little Horn. He is an Indigenous activist hailing from the Oglala Lakota Nation. His work as the Executive Director of the Red Road Institute and the Indigenous Peoples Movement exemplifies his commitment to promoting the rights and values of Indigenous peoples worldwide. With a particular focus on marrying traditional Indigenous values with modern necessities, Shaun is also the Communications and Development director for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s clean energy initiative SAGE Development Authority.
What is your personal/professional story?
Looking back on the path I've walked, both in my personal and professional life, I see a story shaped by challenges and growth. Like many Native children, life dealt me a tough hand early on filled with physical abuse and abandonment. By the age of 15 I was once again homeless.
Each day was a fight for survival, a test of my strength and spirit. However, I had abilities that most of my relatives are not gifted with. My basketball and football talent scored me a life-changing scholarship to a private school. That was my escape hatch from a world that seemed to have forgotten me, propelling me into realms I'd only dreamed of.
Athletics continued to shape my trajectory, earning me a Division One football scholarship. So when I entered my professional career, I was driven by a relentless pursuit of success, though I now realize my metrics were misplaced. My sole focus was to shield my children from the financial struggles I faced.
Then, a cancer diagnosis redefined everything. It was a stark reminder of life's fragility and I felt the importance of leaving a legacy. I began to seek ways to contribute to my community, to build something that would outlive me.
After going into remission, I realized that the notion of a personal legacy, of being remembered, was less important than the actions I took for the well-being of future generations.
It's about the seeds we plant for the future. It doesn’t matter if anyone remembers my name. It is about how I use my time here to pave the way for the seventh generation. That's the mark I want to leave. It's about them, not me. That's the journey I'm on now, and it's all about giving back and pushing forward.
How do you connect with your ancestral roots?
The legacy of my grandparents, who endured the harsh realities of boarding schools, is a pivotal chapter in my family's history. To escape the brutality and oppression of those institutions, they moved away from our homelands, a painful yet understandable decision to protect their children from similar traumas. This displacement, though, came at a cost: our family drifted away from our Lakota traditions.
Recognizing this loss, I was challenged to bridge the gap between our people and our ancestral land. We immersed ourselves in our sacred ceremonies and teachings, begin speaking our language, and living by the guiding principles of our Lakota values. This journey is not just a personal quest; it's a collective awakening for our family to replant our roots in our Lakota way of life.
As a leader what motivates you during times of adversity?
In the face of adversity, my leadership is fueled by the profound teachings of the Seventh Generation prophecy, as foretold by Crazy Horse. This prophecy envisioned that the Red Nation would rise again during a period of global turmoil, with hopes pinned on the seventh generation following Crazy Horse to restore unity to the circle.
With the conviction that the seventh generation is now being born, I feel a deep sense of responsibility to use whatever talents and resources that I might have to pave the way for them. It is my mission to ensure that their journey is a little clearer. This sense of purpose drives me to work tirelessly, fighting for a future where the next generation can thrive, embrace our culture, and lead with the wisdom of our people.
Where do you find community?
Community for me is found right here among my own people. It's in the shared experience of our traditional way of life - sweats, our sacred ceremonies, and the fellowship that binds us. As Lakota, our nature is deeply relational, and it is through these connections that we find strength and nourishment for our collective growth. It's in the coming together, the shared laughter, stories, and even the silences, that we weave the fabric of our community, one that supports each of us as we strive to flourish and uphold the values of our ancestors.
What advice do you have for others who want to break through barriers?
For those aiming to break through barriers, the most crucial piece of advice I can offer is this: believe in your inherent worth and know that you belong.
The damaging legacy of assimilation and the brutal history of boarding schools were designed to erode our sense of self-worth, to 'kill the Indian' in us, as they said. But this narrative is not our truth.
Our DNA carries the strength and greatness of our ancestors. We deserve to walk into any room and take our rightful place at the table. It's time to shed the narrative of mere survival; we are here to thrive, to prosper, and to honor the resilience that runs through our veins.
Hold your head high, embrace your identity, and step forward with the confidence that you are not just good enough—you are exceptional.
How can GlobalMindED advance your goals as an inclusive leader?
I would love to be able to engage with GlobalMindED so that I can gain insights into how other communities are navigating their challenges, which can be adapted and applied to the work we do in our Lakota communities. The chance to discuss, collaborate, and potentially form partnerships with like-minded leaders from various sectors is a crucial need.
One final thought that you would like to highlight.
As Indigenous people, we carry the scars of colonization and assimilation from efforts meant to strip away our identity. Yet, we can not let those scars continue to define who we are. Healing comes from paying it forward to the seventh generation. We acknowledge the strength of those who came before us and build a foundation for those yet to come. Our work now is to ensure that the future generations inherit not the trauma of our past, but the strength of our enduring spirit.
More information on Shaun's work:
The Indigenous Peoples Movement is committed to tackling issues pertinent to Indigenous populations. Its mission is to acknowledge and advocate for the rights, treaties, and sovereignty of Indigenous people globally.
The Red Road Institute concentrates its efforts on providing essential resources to local Lakota communities. Over the past year, the Red Road Institute has made a significant impact, distributing over $70,000 worth of blankets and heaters, as well as $40,000 in window air conditioning units, to the most vulnerable groups within these communities.
His impact extends globally as he takes the stage to discuss Indigenous rights, fostering international dialogues. Shaun's dedication is also reflected in his board membership at Canku Luta Omani and in his pioneering work with the Red Road TV Network, which he helped establish to bring Indigenous stories to mainstream media platforms.
Shaun's previous career as a nationally syndicated sports talk radio host and writer was put aside to focus on serving the Oyáte.
Recognized for his candid and engaging communication style, Shaun is not only a respected figure in public discussions but is also an upcoming author. His book "Leadership Lessons from the Red Road" is highly anticipated and is scheduled for release on January 15th, which will further showcase his leadership insights and unwavering commitment to Indigenous people.
|
|
Highlights from the 2023 GlobalMindED Annual Conference this past June:
|
|
PBS12 Denver filmed and live-streamed the 2023 GlobalMindED Inclusive Leader Awards on June 7th as well as our main stage plenaries and presentations on June 8th. You can find them all individually on the GlobalMindED YouTube channel.
2023 GlobalMindED Inclusive Leader Award Winners' introductions and acceptance remarks:
Miriam Calderon, Chief Policy Officer, ZERO TO THREE: Inclusive Leader - Early Childhood Education
Dr. David Miyashiro, Superintendent, Cajon Valley Union School District, Inclusive Leader - K-12 Education
Carrie Billy, CEO, American Indian Higher Education Consortium: Inclusive Leader - Higher Education
Afua Bruce, Founder & Principal, ANB Advisory Group: Inclusive Leader - Government
Dr. Elena Rios, President & CEO, National Hispanic Medical Association: Inclusive Leader - Health & Wellness
Hassan Salem, Head of Commercial Banking, US Bank: Inclusive Leader - Banking & Finance
Greg Robinson, James Webb Space Telescope Project Director NASA (ret): Inclusive Leader - Space & Aerospace
Mary Nichols, Professor, UCLA Institute of the Environment, Inclusive Leader - Energy & Sustainability
Michael Campbell, General Manager, Education Division, Intel: Inclusive Leader - Technology
Diego Mariscal, CEO & Chief Disabled Person, 2Gether-International: Inclusive Leader - Entrepreneurship
Mario Carrera, President & CEO, CLLARO: Inclusive Leader - Media & Arts
Nasruddin Rupani, Chairman, Ibn Sina Foundation: Inclusive Leader - Foundations & Funders
Rosanna Durruthy, VP, Global Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging, LinkedIn: Inclusive Leader -Global Impact
Kimberly Bryant, Founder & CEO, Black Innovation Lab; Black Girls Code: Inclusive Leader - Non-Profit
Click below to see Insights from GlobalMindED Leaders:
View the Main-stage Presentations:
|
|
View the Sessions from our United Nations Event: Transforming Financial Boundaries |
|
 |
Carla Harris, Vice Chairman, Morgan Stanley and James Rhee, Founder/Owner, red helicopter
|
|
|
|
Michael Maquet-Diafouka, Managing Director, Global Family and Institutional Wealth, UBS, Chris Marsh, Managing Director, Private Wealth Advisor, UBS,Janet C. Salazar, Chairman & President, Foundation for the Support of the United Nations
|
|
|
Tyler Naha, Student, Denver East High School, Dr. Mary Papazian, Exec. VP, Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, Dr. Philomenta Mantella, President, Grand Valley State University, Dr. Yustina Saleh, Managing Director, Innovation Solutions, The Burning Glass Institute, Alfonzo Alexander, Chief Ethics & Diversity Officer, National Association of State Boards of Accountancy
|
|
|
|
Dr. D'Andre Weaver, Chief Digital Equity Officer, Digital Promise, Michael Woods, President, Woods Capital, the Honorable Dr. Kimberly McClain, Assistant Secretary, U.S. Department HUD, Preston James, II, Co-Founder and CEO, Divinc, Gaby Rowe, Founding Principal, Grow Associates
|
|
|
|
|
Dr. Craig Jonas, Founder and CEO, CoPeace, Victoria Vasques, Owner & Chairwoman, Tribal Tech LLC, Sachin Chaudhry, Founder and CEO, TrustCircle and BringChange Foundation, Kyle Hybl, President & CEO, El Pomar Foundation, Beth Cobert, Acting President, Markle Foundation
|
|
|
|
Dr. Denise Lujan, Director, Entering Student Experience, University of Texas at El Paso, Javaune Adams-Gaston, President, Norfolk State University, Dr. David Miyashiro, Superintendent, Cajon Valley Union School District, Gina Fratarcangeli, Managing Director, Google, Shital C. Shah, Sr. Advisor, Strategic Partnerships, Office of the Secretary, U.S. Dept. of Education
|
|
|
|
|
Sam Lalanne, Managing Director, Morgan Stanley, Global Head of Diversity & Inclusion |
|
|
|
Would you like to give to support our student programs? You can scan the QR code below or go to our website to support our year-round programs. GlobalMindED is a 501(c)(3).
|
|
Thank you to all of the Sponsors, Speakers, Students, and Attendees at GlobalMindED 2023
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
