Standing Strong in UNITY

Read time: 5 minutes

During Native American Heritage Month in November, we honor the vibrant traditions and significant contributions of Native and Indigenous people. Led by the Uniting Native and Indigenous Tribes with You (UNITY) employee resource group (ERG), McKesson employees celebrate the strength and enduring presence of Native American and Indigenous cultures within our workplace and in society. Galvanized by the theme, “Still Here, Still Strong, We Belong,” UNITY sheds light on the critical issues facing these communities today.

Two passionate UNITY members share how the ERG has made a difference in their experiences at McKesson and sparked their curiosity for learning more about Native American and Indigenous cultures and histories.

Barbara “Babs” Cole is an executive assistant to finance leaders within McKesson Technology. She was introduced to ERGs when she joined the company in 2023 and leapt at the opportunity to get involved. Babs is an active leader in several ERGs. She is a special project committee member for UNITY, a board member for the Las Colinas, Texas chapter of the Women Empowered (WE) ERG, and a national board member for the ARC ERG.

Angela Warton is a procurement coordinator who sources IT materials and equipment to support The US Oncology Network. She began at the company in 2018 and eagerly joined every ERG that McKesson offered. Angela became an active member of UNITY when it launched three years ago and is committed to learning about cultures and perspectives that are different than her own.

What inspires you to participate in the UNITY ERG?

Babs: I was initially drawn to UNITY because my family history includes descendants of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. When the ERG launched a special committee to raise awareness about the ongoing issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Peoples (MMIP), I knew I needed to get involved. My role within UNITY is to gather the resources and materials we’ll use to raise awareness about MMIP among UNITY members and McKesson employees overall. I believe we need to share what we know, and I appreciate that UNITY welcomes both Indigenous members and allies by providing a space to be curious and learn.

Angela: I’ve always been interested in the Indigenous people of this continent and want to be a good ally. UNITY offers me the opportunity to continuously learn. It’s been eye-opening and, at times, heartbreaking, but it’s also helped me to grow as a person and has made me more aware. For example, I was shocked to hear about the sad history of Native American boarding schools, some of which were still operating during my lifetime. I think it’s important to recognize and celebrate Native American and Indigenous cultures, because they should never be lost.

What does being a part of UNITY mean to you personally?

Babs: UNITY provides me with a sense of belonging, a space to learn in grace and a renewed appreciation for my identity. Growing up, my grandmother exposed me to traditions from different Indigenous groups and I attended powwows with neighbor families. Being part of UNITY has brought back those memories, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to deepen my understanding of the struggles and triumphs of Native American people. It’s also inspired me to explore my Cherokee lineage. I’m particularly drawn to Cherokee storytelling and hope to learn more about the oral histories and legends that have been passed down through generations.

Babs with her two sons at a high school football game.

UNITY organizes heritage month celebrations and various events year-round. Which experiences have been particularly meaningful to you?

Angela: I’ll never forget the first event UNITY hosted in partnership with the McKesson Military Resource Group (MMRG). We heard from the WWII Navajo Code Talker Thomas H. Begay, whose granddaughter is an employee and UNITY board member. After that, I was all in. It was fascinating to listen to his experiences, and the event was particularly special for me because I won a raffle to receive an autographed photo of him.

I’m also involved in the book club, which is a great addition to the activities UNITY offers. We discuss books such as “Killers of the Flower Moon” and other stories that are based on historical events that impacted Native American people. It’s powerful and has opened up my world

Angela supporting her hometown baseball team.

Babs: I love when the ERGs come together to collaborate. One memorable event was hosted by the Black Excellence (BE) ERG and UNITY for an employee-led panel on National Indigenous Peoples Day. It was especially meaningful to hear one of the panelists discuss the importance of preserving her Navajo culture and language by sharing and teaching it to her son. Another panelist dispelled some negative stereotypes and myths about Native American and Indigenous people. It’s conversations like these that are instrumental in educating people and fostering an inclusive workplace.

In what ways has your involvement with UNITY impacted your time at McKesson?

Angela: Being part of UNITY is like plugging into an energy source. It’s given me a stronger tie to McKesson because I interact with people outside of my business group. This can give you a professional advantage, but it’s also great to just connect and make friendships. My mother instilled in me that everybody is walking a different path and, just like you can't tell a book by its cover, you don't know what's going on in someone's life. ERGs help us understand and empathize with people from different backgrounds, and that enriches everyone.

Babs: As a new employee, joining UNITY and other ERGs helped me meet people across the company. Now, the chance to serve on UNITY’s special committee for MMIP gives me a great developmental opportunity and a place where I can showcase my strengths and gain exposure. And UNITY helps us all become more aware and culturally sensitive, which makes a big impact in how we relate to each other.