The United Nations estimates there are 476 million Indigenous Peoples in the world living across 90 countries. By uplifting Indigenous voices, we can gain a better understanding of their histories and the issues they currently face.
As one of the global leaders of our Intuit Indigenous Peoples Network (IIPN), Andromeda Collinsworth is dedicated to creating awareness and opportunities for Indigenous people around the world through community and allyship.
Andromeda gives us an inside look at the network and their plans for the future as they celebrate their first anniversary on International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples.
What brought you to Intuit?
I moved to Tucson in 2012 sight unseen, to start a new life. I have been with Intuit since the third week here in town. I started as a contractor with the Finance team in 2012 and became a full-time employee in 2015. As soon as I walked through the door I knew this was where I wanted to be.
The values of Intuit are real and the people here do believe them! You hear it at other places and find out quickly that is not the case. Here it is, and it makes all the difference in how and why you show up to work each day.
What inspired you to take on a leadership role with the Intuit Indigenous People’s Network?
Unity! We all come from somewhere. Every continent had first peoples who are the roots of who we all are now. There are so many similarities– like the cave paintings from around the world show us that we humans all hunted and gathered, had art, had love, wanted to share, wanted to guide the future, wanted to be seen. Over the years, the methods have changed but the needs and motivations remain the same.
Despite all the commonalities, we also see hate, prejudice, the want for power over others, and people displaced so others can claim the land. We must learn from the past to prevent the repetition of such events– but we have not. So, we can use these ERGs as a step, a start.
The IIPN is a way for us to build on our similarities so that we can educate each other, build empathy, understanding, and respect. We are one tribe from all tribes.
It will create the want for true equality for everyone, it will provide the foundation for lifting up those held down, it will make clear all the injustice so that it can be fought, it will bring the beauty to the forefront so that we may all see, share, and be loved for who we are.
Tell us a little bit about what you’re currently working on to support the Intuit Indigenous People’s Network.
In August, we will sponsor a run/walk challenge in support of a Yerington Paiute tribal member holding the 2nd Annual Remembrance Run in honor of his great-grandfather. The Remembrance Run is an approximate 50-mile journey over two days that retraces his steps as he fled a residential school. In his words, the purpose “is to honor the children who survived Indian boarding schools and to remember those who never came home, by laying down prayers with our feet.”
We are joining him with a global walk challenge and Mother Earth clean up event. We hope to spread awareness on the impact of boarding schools on Indigenous communities. Through this event, we can offer Intuit employees an avenue where they can physically take steps to pay respect, to learn, and begin or continue their journey of allyship.
What is a piece of advice you’d give to someone who wants to be an ally of Indigenous Peoples?
Know that being an ally is not a simple task. You must educate yourself, ask questions, and take action. This can be as simple as a conversation that is used to start others thinking. When you say “I am an ally” you are standing, lifting, carrying, and working to change the world with those that should not stand alone.
At Intuit, we’re passionate about making sure that everyone can show up as their authentic self at work. Through ERGs like the Indigenous Peoples Network, we are able to foster a sense of connection, empathy, and trust between employees. This is the foundation for a culture of diversity and inclusion. Learn more about our ERGs and the people who lead them in Building Inclusion:
How Eleanor Harvison is connecting the next generation of talent in the workplace
A spotlight on George Kousouros, global leader of our Pride employee resource group