November is Native American Heritage Month, and SkyWest is committed to recognizing and
celebrating the rich cultures of our Indigenous employees. Check out what a few of our people have to say about their heritage and how they continue to honor and appreciate family and cultural traditions.
Tamera H. – Crew Scheduler, HDQ
Captivated by the tales of her grandfather’s journey to the other side of the globe to fight in WWII, Tamera was inspired to explore the world. This deep love of travel is what eventually led her to SkyWest in 2019.
“Growing up, our grandparents were our heroes,” Tamera explained. “My grandfather was a Navajo Code Talker during WWII who used his unbreakable language to serve in the 4th Marine Division, 25th Regiment, H&S Company. He fought in Saipan, Iwo Jima, Kwajalein, Tinian, and the Marshall Islands.”
It wasn’t until the Code Talkers were officially recognized in 1982 that his family learned about his heroic contributions during the war.
Since then, Tamera’s grandfather has had the opportunity to share more about his cultural heritage, traditional upbringing, and experiences in the war, with students in schools throughout the U.S. and Japan. Tamera feels deeply privileged to have accompanied him to many of these speaking engagements, witnessing firsthand the impact of his stories and the inspiration they bring to audiences.
For Tamera, honoring her heritage means keeping her grandfather’s legacy alive. And while she herself did not grow up in a traditional way, learning about her family’s history has deepened her connection to her roots. She strives to honor the teachings and traditions passed down from her grandparents and she attends powwows to share her grandfather’s story.
Michelle I. – CRJ First Officer, PHX
Michelle is proud to be celebrating her heritage throughout the month and is excited for others to recognize the contributions of Native Americans. She also hopes that awareness will help inspire the next generation of Native Americans to pursue their dreams and aspirations, like she did, with aviation.
Michelle was first drawn to SkyWest because of its renowned family atmosphere, and she has appreciated the deep sense of belonging she has experienced during her time here.
“SkyWest has always had a reputation for being a company where all people are welcome,” Michelle said. “And I’ve certainly felt that since I’ve started!”
Maintaining her connection to her heritage is very important for Michelle. She celebrates her culture by spending time with family in Sanders, Arizona on the Navajo Nation and attending cultural events and festivals.
Michelle reveres her grandmother, who was a single mother that raised five kids on the reservation. They had no running water and had to walk about a half mile to a well for their fresh water. Every day, Michelle’s mother and her sisters also had to bike 45 minutes to get to the nearest school.
“My grandmother’s tenacity and determination to successfully raise her children even in these circumstances has made her one of my biggest role models,” Michelle said. “She always radiates positivity and kindness, and one day I hope to take her as a passenger on one of my flights, to show her my gratitude for all of the sacrifices she made to get my family to this point.”