Career Resources for Native Americans
November is National Native American Heritage Month. This month recognizes the achievements and contributions of Native Americans. In recognition of this celebration, we’re sharing some employment resources that are useful for Native Americans.
1. National Congress of American Indians
National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) is the oldest, largest, and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native organization serving the broad interests of tribal governments and communities. The NCAI has a job listing site where jobs fit one of these two criteria. One, the position requires a significant amount of interaction with tribal communities or two, the position requires specific skills (e.g., fluency in a native language or knowledge of federal Indian law).
Do you qualify for Indian Preference?
Indian Preference allows certain American Indian/Alaska Native applicants to receive preference over non-Indian applicants when applying with the Indian Health Service (IHS) and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). Please visit the Office of Personnel Management for more information, and to learn who is eligible.
2. CareerOneStop's "Native American Program Finder"
CareerOneStop has a database of employment programs, including the “Native American Program Finder”. The programs here offer employment and training assistance to unemployed and low-income Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. The U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration’s Division of Indian and Native American Programs (DINAP) administers the programs to be consistent with the traditional cultural values and beliefs of Native American job seekers.
3. Native American Veterans Association
The Native American Veterans Association (NAVA) serves and honors men and women who have served on active duty, and their families. NAVA aids in the transition back to civilian life through readjustment assistance, career and educational training, and mental health and wellness services.
4. The National Association of Minority Veterans of America
The National Association of Minority Veterans of America (NAMVA) is an organization that supports minority veterans of the U.S. military. Under the NAMVA umbrella is the Native American Veterans Council. The Council works to ensure that all Native American veterans get access to the information and resources they need to not only improve the quality of their lives, but to ensure access to economic information. This includes employment information offered on VETConnects which is a NAMVA employment program that connects veterans of color and women veterans to employers that have a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
5. Nativehire.org
Nativehire.org is a job board that streamlines the job search process for applicants by featuring employers who are actively looking to hire Native Americans. The website helps applicants find work on or near the reservations. Nativehire.org also posts training opportunities, apprenticeship programs and job fairs.
6. Small Business Administration’s Office of Native American Affairs
Looking to start your own business? The Office of Native American Affairs offers services to ensure that American Indians, Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians seeking to develop and expand small businesses have full access to the necessary business development tools available through the agency's entrepreneurial development programs. The Office of Native American Affairs serves veterans, in conjunction with the Office of Veterans Business Development. Both offices are under the Small Business Administration and equipped to help Native American veterans with their self-employment needs.
How Can Ticket to Work Help
Social Security's Ticket to Work (Ticket) Program supports career development for people ages 18 through 64 who receive Social Security disability benefits (SSDI/SSI) and want to work. Through this free and voluntary program, eligible participants can work with service providers to receive the services and supports they need to find and maintain employment as they move toward financial independence through work.
If you’re eligible, the Ticket Program can support you with different forms of employment, including working for a company or organization, and working for yourself (self-employment). Through the Ticket Program, service providers such as an Employment Network or your state Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Agencies agency or can provide you with free employment-related services that you may need to return to work, to enter a new line of work, or to enter the workforce for the first time. You can also visit the Ticket Program’s Find a Job page, which lists a number of organizations that have job search resources such as job boards, resume services and social networking opportunities that can help you pursue employment.
Learn More
To learn more about the Ticket to Work Program, call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1-866-968-7842. For callers who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, call 1-866-833-2967 (TTY). Hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.; or visit choosework.ssa.gov.
