person Sign In shopping_cart Cart Join SME search About Technologies Events Training Engage Education Membership Media SME Home About Native American Heritage Month Native Americans making an impact through STEM November is Native American Heritage Month and SME is proud to recognize indigenous people within manufacturing. We celebrate the contributions Native Americans have made through careers in STEM and we continue to advocate for diversity and inclusion within the manufacturing community. “People don’t realize the ingenuity or the knowledge that native people had and continue to have about the world around them.” Gaetana De Gennaro, Supervisory Specialist at the National Museum of the American Indian, New York Recognizing indigenous pioneers within STEM There are many Native Americans within STEM who have contributed to the development and implementation of next-generation advanced manufacturing technologies. These are just a few of the Native Americans in STEM leading by example and pushing the boundaries of innovation. Expand / Collapse All Mary Golda Ross keyboard_arrow_down Mary Golda Ross Mathematician and Engineer (Cherokee Nation) Mary Golda Ross was the first female and the only Native American Engineer at Lockheed Aircraft Corporation in Burbank, California during the Space Race. She was one of the 40 founding engineers of the Skunk Works project. Ross helped write NASA’s Planetary Flight Handbook, the agency’s space travel guide, and contributed to planning for flights to Mars. Much of her other work with NASA is still classified. Ross helped open the doors for females pursuing a career in STEM fields. John Herrington keyboard_arrow_down Thomas David Petite keyboard_arrow_down Fred Begay keyboard_arrow_down Chelsea Benally keyboard_arrow_down Aaron Yazzie keyboard_arrow_down Organizations Supporting and Empowering Native Americans AISES The American Indian Science and Engineering Society is a national nonprofit organization focused on substantially increasing the representation of Indigenous peoples of North America and the Pacific Islands in science, technology, engineering, and math studies and careers. Learn More SACNAS The Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science is a society that aims to further the success of Chicano/Hispanic and Native American students in obtaining advanced degrees, careers, leadership positions, and equality in the STEM field. Learn More NADC The Native American Development Corporation is a hub for American Indian businesses and provides technical assistance, financial lending opportunities, and champions small businesses and tribes in order to empower Indian communities toward economic and social stability. Learn More Increasing the Representation of Indigenous People Published five times a year in print and digital formats by the American Indian Science and Engineering Society, the Winds of Change magazine has a focus on career and educational advancement for native people in STEM. Learn MoreWinds of Change 10 Native American Inventions Commonly Used Today Native American engineering is all around us. From kayaks to contraceptives to pain relievers, Native Americans developed key innovations long before Columbus reached the Americas. More Details Celebrating Native American Heritage Month with SWE In 2020, the Society of Women Engineers had a conversation with Laura Smith-Velazquez to discuss the importance of Native American Heritage Month. Smith-Velazquez is an SWE Member, SWE Native-American Affinity Group lead, and winner of the 2020 American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) Technical Excellence Award. Learn about her experience as a minority engineer and the importance of diversity and inclusion within STEM careers. Read More AISES: Building a STEM Pathway for Native Students The option to pursue a career in STEM should be available to all students. Kathy DeerInWater, Chief Program Officer for the American Indian Science and Engineering Society discusses the importance of increasing STEM access for Native American students. Read More Why Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is Important The SME Education Foundation’s renewed and focused commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) provides increased opportunities to underrepresented and disadvantaged communities across the country. 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