00:00.87 archpodnet All right? We are back from the break and wanting to dive back in and continue talking about you know, obviously all of you have have very clear visions for what you'd like your companies to do and. Talking again about about how you bake that in like some of the specifics about how you make those things happen within your company. 00:28.93 Jeremy Begay Well I think growth is always an expected outcome of sustain in business for a long time. But I think right now one of our primary goals is just sustainment being that that we're a relatively new company just just working and grinding and and and. Getting ourselves in a position to be able to grow and I'd like to say that another milestone that we hope to reach and will reach the summer is actually beginning ah an intern training program here on here with our company and that's always been something near and dear to me when I when I first started. 00:55.38 archpodnet So. 01:04.34 Jeremy Begay Doing this work. Ah I worked with Rina Martin of danettetoto culture resources management um a mentor and and and a great friend and she really instilled in me the need to train younger Navajo people and and indigenous youth to be able to do this job. Um, and to realize that it is an important part of of retaining our culture and the transmission of our our traditions um into the future. Um, so that's where we're we're really proud of that and and also being able to. I guess be be part of the change in archeology as a whole I like to say that I see a change happening. You know, right? Now we're still operating under under the framework that's been developed in the past regarding Navajo history and and how it's represented in the in archeology. We. There is a change happening and and and I like to think that we're gonna be a part of that change moving forward. So hopefully the work that we're going to be doing well into the future is goingnna be is gonna be helping to change that as well. 02:10.44 archpodnet That's awesome. That's a really big step. So that's really exciting. 02:12.86 Jeremy Begay Um, yeah. 02:19.11 Ashley Spivey Um, and yeah so I guess um, you know I'll focus on on 1 aspect and it and and again it goes back to capacity building. Um, every project that we take on. We. 02:19.60 archpodnet Ashley what about you. 02:23.26 Desiree That's. 02:34.29 Ashley Spivey Make sure that there is some form of of capacity building that is happening and you know that includes um internships you know, like Desiree and Jeremy have mentioned um and I'll just say personally without the internship. You know that I had the opportunity to to take and to be a part of. Um I probably wouldn't be in this field. so it's it's so important um so I definitely you know recognize the efforts that they're doing and and teaching that next generation um to learn these skills and learn the importance and again learn them as a tool for for our communities. To be used as a tool for our communities. Um, but yeah, again, capacity building everything from the federal acknowledgement work that we take on right? We're not just this team that writes a petition for federal acknowledgement. We actually secure funding for the community. We set up a petition office that is staffed by tribal members. We train every single one of those tribal members in the process researching archiving knowing you know the actual office of federal acknowledgement process for recognition backwards and forwards. So that the tribe again can have the capacity um to not only you know, develop this document. Um, but to also know the process in and out so that again, they're not going to need consultants as they move through that process and ultimately get hopefully federally acknowledged. Um and that includes. You know every other type of work that we do um even when it's with an institution and not a tribal community. We always ensure that there is some form of capacity building for tribal members to engage and be a part of the project at a deeper deeper level rather than just you know a consultant but are actually ah. 04:13.73 Jeremy Begay Next. 04:23.79 Ashley Spivey Part of the process and in learning skill. Um and while we we typically you know focus in some aspects on the younger folks. We recognize all ages right? with all different types of skills set sets and knowledge bases. Um, you want to be. Engaged in learning that process at a deeper level so that they can serve their community. They can um you know be a part of of helping their tribal nation and whatever they're trying to accomplish so that that for us is is again really About. Supporting the tribe and and in terms of building that capacity and that's what we try to take with us in every single project that we work on. 05:02.73 archpodnet Yeah, and so all of you have mentioned internships and working with with young people coming into this field. What? Um What do you want? young, indigenous people that are interested in cra and heritage to know like what would have been helpful for you. When you were at that point in your career. Um, okay I'm gonna leave it at 1 question I'm gonna leave it at 1 question, we're gonna answer that and then I'll get to the next one. But what? So what would you? What would you want them to know. 05:40.65 Ashley Spivey Um, I'll jump in really quick and just say something It seems fairly simple but it's not just to know that Crm is an option for them. Um, you know I went into this traditional kind of academic experience where there was no education. Or support in terms of learning outside of the academy and I had to do that on my own and i. Also again I went to a school that was locally based um my work was you know focused in within my own community I wanted to stay close by and you know there weren't. Indigenous faculty? Um, but there were some indigenous students that I was able to to work alongside um as a support system but just just knowing that it's an option and and having you know, having opportunities. For youth to engage in that and like like we've already said the internship is ah is a great way for that to happen. Um, so yeah I mean that's just that's just 1 thing right? off the top of my head just letting like letting them know that. This is an option for them and that is not just about the academy and it doesn't just have to be in this traditional sense in terms of the way academics have handled the field of archeology and anthropology. 07:07.82 Jeremy Begay Yeah I'd like to to have the youth understand that there is a need for them in in this field, especially here on the Navajo nation and other places as well. Um, the need for for young people doing this I'm sorry. 07:08.39 Desiree And I I'd like to to have the youth understand. 07:27.28 archpodnet Yeah, go for it. Chris just edit that all out. 07:27.68 Jeremy Begay Can I start that over. Okay, okay, um, that yeah that that there is an opportunity for them to do this and there is a need for young, indigenous people to to carry on this line of work on the Navajo nation there. There's still. 07:31.96 Ashley Spivey Um, honest. 07:47.46 Jeremy Begay Taboo traditional norms that that are still around that prohibit people from from dealing with archaeology prehistoric remains historic remains and I think that tends to get in the way sometimes still of people seeing that that this is an opportunity where they can. Be a professional um but slowly that that's that those customs are are disappearing like many other things. But I think a lot of people don't understand that there is work Cr and work on the Navajo nation is a multimillion dollar industry but a lot of people don't know that it's around and they can be involved. 08:27.25 Desiree Um, yeah I think I agree with everybody. Um and what they're saying is that you know we definitely need more indigenous people. But I also like to be very upfront that it's very hard to be an indigenous person and I've spoken on previous podcasts with Jessica and heritage voices. I can't be a native person and an archeologist and then throw a woman on it I get male archeologists who condescend to me I get people who you know ignore you know, challenge me on whether I know what a mono is or not or whether I can identify final remains. 08:53.62 Ashley Spivey Are. 09:05.46 Desiree Versus Human remains Correctly, so there will be.. It will be a struggle particularly if you're indigenous, Um, when you're working with other firms or in some instances agencies as well and you have to be prepared that you're going to get those challenges but then also. You know you have your background and you have your community um to help you fight those and know that you know what you know based on your cultural knowledge and that you have to you know you can stand up and um, comment back to them that they're in fact, wrong and that's. You know we need people to be able to do that to change the way. Um, that cerium works and so that our cultural heritage can be acknowledged as what it is and making sure our community Members. Or Acknowledge just as much as those scholars who have written inaccurate histories of our communities are. 10:03.83 Ashley Spivey I'd just like to say that I think does Ray hit the the nail on the head there. Um and a lot of different ways. Um yeah, you know I was a little naive obviously going into this thinking that. Um. Oh this is going to be so much fun and and don't me wrong there' has been a lot of wonderful, amazing moments through this you know through the process of becoming quote unquote and anthropologist or an archaeologist but it has there were so many times where I almost gave up and it's because of some of the you know similar to the experiences that desiree mentioned that she had. Um, and just not being you know, supported again and in and those environments um typically being one of the only indigenous people ah in those environments and so you're this lone voice and you you know luckily I was raised. Very strong outspoken women. So I have a no problem you know speaking out. Ah but I I had that coming in but it's it's good for youth to understand the challenge definitely of of no matter whether we're going into crm. Or academia or what other other other position that there is going to be a challenge to you just because of who you are and where you come from and the knowledge that you do hold um and that you can get past that prejudice that you can get past those misunderstandings and misconceptions. Um. And quite frankly derogatory behavior that will be you know happening towards you at some point in time unfortunately and it's knowing that there's a network out there of folks like us. Um, you know I I have young people reach out from all over just wanting to talk and and I make myself available. To you know, young, indigenous people who are interested in this field who are just you know who want somebody else to talk to about the experiences that they're having because it's not an easy road but it's it's it is so rewarding in so many different ways that it's it's worth going through the challenges and going through the roadblocks. You know to get to the point where we're able to be in the positions that we're in today. Um, and do the work that that we're able to do today and you will still be challenged even when you do get that degree. So just also be prepared or you have your own business. It doesn't matter. Um. 12:33.93 archpodnet I'm sorry guys I'm debating whether or not I want to like ask um like how serum or heritage firms can make it better. But I'm also like if they're listening to this podcast. They're already kind of self selected. 12:49.76 Ashley Spivey Yes I would agree with you. 12:50.32 archpodnet You know what? I mean like some like um so I wonder if that if if it makes more sense to move on to the industry level questions. What do you all have an opinion and obviously Chris you're cutting this. 13:18.40 archpodnet I Mean we could also do like um you know like a lightning round of how people could make it better but I don't know that you know like again if the outright racists are certainly not listening to to this show. 13:35.72 Ashley Spivey Um, yeah. 13:37.47 archpodnet Um, so um, did we I don't think so yet. Yeah I don't think so yet he hasn't put anything in the chat. Yeah, um. 13:39.28 Desiree Did we get Steve back. Ah I don't know that's what I'm asking. 13:47.56 Ashley Spivey Yeah, he's still on mute. 13:56.63 archpodnet Okay, let's let's just move to the industry stuff and then we can you know we can always tie it in later if if it makes sense. Okay, so we're talking about. The industry and how it can kind of be hostel especially to indigenous younger people How how can the industry better support. Not just obviously like indigenous young people. But um, indigenous led companies. Like is there something that this serm and heritage industry could do um to better support companies like yours. 14:48.59 Ashley Spivey I mean 1 thing that I will say and I probably again in the region that I'm from where like I said unfortunately engaging native people at the level that that they should be engaged is this is a fairly new phenomenon. Um. I would say that okay, you know there are folks out there at this point that you know that have the capability and the knowledge to do this type of work whether that's alongside you with you as a part of your firm or you know there are other groups out there. Um, who have the capability to do this who are either indigenous led or have um you know indigenous you know staff and so it's like no this might be kind of rude but I'm okay with that like read the room and know your your limits. Um I have. Seen so many serum groups take on work that is again and focus at an indigenous place in space and they have they do not have the capability or the right people on staff to be doing that type of work and so know that you shouldn't be going for that bed. And let the folks who know what they're doing and have the capability and the understanding to do it. Let them do it like take a step aside the the pond is big enough for all the fish and you know understand that there's a space in place for you and that it's okay for folks who have again the capability. Knowledge the experience to do indigenous space work. Let them do it. Let them handle it. Um I guess I'm saying like let's you know, be more and I know this is this is you know, maybe not realistic but being. Being more open and understanding about sharing the the industry. Um, so that we you know don't get the wrong people doing doing the the type of work that other folks could do better. Hopefully that makes sense. 16:58.98 archpodnet Yeah, that totally makes sense. 17:07.53 Jeremy Begay So working on the navajo nation. We're kind of lucky well we are lucky that ah the Navajo nation government themselves has mandated that any and all work that is put out for our rf ps ah is by Navajo. Um, you know they they're mandated to work. With Navajo companies. Um that that are able to do the work and everyone else is given second consideration. So we're we're lucky in that we're at the forefront of of being able to do this work. We're given first choice on projects I guess in first rights are. Refusal. Um, but even in that ah we still find ourselves being being overlooked for the larger companies coming in that don't employ indigenous people Navajo people in in a lot of cases. Get it wrong that a lot that happens that quite often. 17:59.58 Ashley Spivey See her. 18:05.58 Jeremy Begay Um, and I've seen that over the years and just just how damaging that could be to communities and and our sense of cultural identity. But I see that changing as well here on the Navajo nation doing what we're doing and and I like to see that. Ah, hope that other companies can learn from that and and really take to the idea that it is important to to have us out there in in some form in order to make sure they get their compliance form sign off. 18:32.15 Desiree Happy. 18:41.82 Steve DeRoy So yeah Steve here. Um, one of the things that we realized and we work in this realm of large skillle industrial development and how that might have an impact on local communities ah in indigenous communities and um, so. By working in this realm. We've had to come to understand how industrial developers and their perspectives on indigenous communities are we've had to come to understand how local communities in the vicinity of those projects and what their thoughts are on on how you know because because not all. Indigenous communities are against development I mean there's a lot of communities that see the opportunity for being part of that development and and and getting some economic benefits out of it. Um, and and so what we've found is is that. Ah. We're we're in this space of not only helping to negotiate and support communities and their interests but also being able to do good research and and ensure that the quality metrics that we're putting in place to ensure that the the outputs that we're putting together are going to stand the test of. Ah, if it has to go to court or if they have to you know, be in that scenario where they're in a judicial type situation that the information and the research that we've collected and all this effort that we've done to engage community members be a part of it that. That it actually will stand that test and be able to support them and so we've we've we've been kind of in a position unique position of um ah not necessarily having asked permission to do certain things but we just say we believe that this is the right way of doing it. And we've also been very fortunate to work with many different lawyers and law firms across the country that are supporting indigenous communities and so our work has been peer reviewed by numerous lawyers and legal institutions. So that way. The the work that we produce is of high quality and and it does support those rights and interests of indigenous groups and so we're we're in this unique situation where we have many opportunities to support indigenous nations. And we're and we're now looking at how do we create a procurement strategy that enables young professionals to be a part of this and so the idea being that. 21:17.35 Steve DeRoy We're gonna continue doing what we're doing because we believe it's right and it's the right way of doing things and that's the right thing we're doing the right thing And yeah, we're open to criticism and we're open to adapting but the idea being that we're on this path that we're not asking industry to to give us permission about doing it. Because we believe that the indigenous nations should be in the drive receipt and that's fundamental but also making sure that that space is created so that people feel safe to be able to come and work in this environment and and work with other nations across the country and so um, it's just our experience that we've been able to be very fortunate. To be able to enable and and create a safe space for young professionals. Um to work in this field. 22:14.52 archpodnet Does array I think you're the only one left right? or am I missing okay, cool pass all right? Um, so Chris edit um, um. 22:18.35 Desiree I have nothing to say I pass. Um. 22:34.40 archpodnet Okay, so I mean I personally could listen to y'all for a lot longer than this. But sadly we are at the end of our time does anyone have like you know 30 seconds of something that they're just like bursting to tell our audience or or does is everyone feeling like you said what? you. You wanted to say. 22:58.10 Jeremy Begay Well I have to suck to say. Thank you and it was a great opportunity to participate on this panel and hear from everybody else who's been. We're doing such great things and and where you're at professionally you know you are an inspiration to people such as myself coming up starting Young Young companies. Hope to be at your place your point someday. So yeah, Thank you. 23:22.52 archpodnet Yeah, and thank you Thank you to all of you for coming I know that obviously you're all business owners or you know business leaders so you got busy schedules. So I Really appreciate you taking the time to to come talk to all of us here today. 23:38.45 Steve DeRoy Well, it's a pleasure. Thanks for the invitation. 23:41.48 Desiree Yeah, definitely thank you. 23:43.48 Ashley Spivey Yes, thank you Jessica and and thank you to all of the other panelists today was is wonderful to have the opportunity to speak alongside all all of you and to hear your experiences and I hope that we get the chance to connect in the future. 23:57.77 archpodnet Yeah, in person someday. 24:00.81 Ashley Spivey Yes, that would be wonderful. 24:04.56 Steve DeRoy Well on that on that note, we are hosting.