Reaffirming Our Commitments to Native American and Indigenous Peoples: Virtual Workshop and Community Conversation

This event is held virtually via Zoom. Registration is required. Register for this event. 

Inclusive Excellence invites all Salem State faculty, staff, and students to a two-part workshop and community conversation dedicated to deepening our understanding, allyship, and commitment to our Native American and Indigenous community members and neighbors. This interactive virtual session will provide an opportunity to reflect on our shared responsibilities toward Indigenous peoples at Salem State and beyond.

Part 1: Allyship Workshop

In the first hour, join Inclusive Excellence and our partners at CultureAlly for a one-hour live-learning workshop that will discuss the history of Native American peoples nationally and locally, the ongoing impacts of colonization and residential schools, and what actions you can take to be a better ally.

We are excited for tomorrow's Virtual Workshop and Community Conversation: Reaffirming our Commitments to Native American and Indigenous Peoples in partnership with CultureAlly.



In this session, we'll delve into the dark legacy of residential schools and their lasting effects on Native American communities. We'll explore the transformative impact of colonization on traditional territories and discuss actionable steps we can all take to become better allies and advocates for Indigenous communities, especially here in Salem (Naumkeag) and at Salem State. This session is a commitment to understanding, respect, and positive change.

Part 2: Assessing and Reaffirming Our Commitments to Our Indigenous Communities

Immediately following the workshop will be a 30-minute community discussion about Salem State’s commitments to our Native American and Indigenous community members and neighbors. Together, we’ll discuss strategies for continued collaboration, including how we as a community can authentically support Native and Indigenous peoples' needs within and beyond the university.



We encourage everyone in the SSU community to participate in this conversation as we work to understand our collective roles and responsibilities in advancing equity and inclusion for all.

About the Facilitators

Dale Bennett (he/him), a proud member of the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, is an experienced educator who draws on his lived experiences and love for continuous learning to foster understanding, collaboration, and respect.  He holds a Bachelor of Education focused on the Aboriginal Teacher Education Program and a Master of Education in World Indigenous Studies from Queen’s University. While at Queen’s, Dale developed and facilitated cultural awareness training modules for professors and staff, combining his education expertise with his commitment to promoting inclusive learning environments.



Diana Montero (she/her/ella) is a seasoned DEIA professional with over 10 years of experience in DEIA and has served as a senior consultant for the Department of Defense at the Pentagon and is currently an EEO and DEIA consultant at the Government Publishing Office. Diana has a passion for advocacy and policy development and brings incredible perspective through her lived experience as an Afro-Cuban/Dominican woman. She has experience in data collection and evaluations, strategy implementation, and policy audits and is a captivating training facilitator. She holds an MBA in Human Resources Management and working towards a Doctorate in Public Policy and Administration.

To join this virtual event, please register via Zoom.