BEMIDJI, Minn. — Dr. Don Day will present the program “Valuing Diversity” at 9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 6, at the Bemidji State University Center for Research and Innovation, located at 3801 Bemidji Avenue North.

Part of the Regional Employee Support Network lecture series, the two-hour session is free and open to anyone interested in diversification, although it will especially benefit individuals who work in human resource or employee relations fields.

Currently the executive director of the American Indian Resource Center at Bemidji State University, Day will focus primarily on the Native American perspective of diversity while also presenting a general discussion on the topic.

During the program, he will explain general cultural characteristics of American Indians and how these traits apply culturally, socially, educationally and professionally in mainstream society. He also plans to provide insights on how individuals may better understand some of the racial, cultural and economic gaps that currently exist in Minnesota and the United States.

“The program will be interesting to anyone who wishes to diversify their workplace or wants to know more about ethnic minorities,” Day said.

“The more that organizations or businesses can diversify, the better it will be for employers, employees and the general public,” Day said. “Employers end up with a socially, culturally and professionally rich workforce, one that gets its richness from ethnic diversity. The employees get economic, educational and social opportunities for themselves and their families. And the public receives a greater understanding, awareness and sensitivity of other cultures and ethnicity.”

An Ojibwe enrolled on the Leech Lake Indian Reservation, Day has a varied background as a counselor, administrator, faculty member and community organizer. Prior to accepting the directorship at Bemidji State’s American Indian Resource Center, he was president of Fon du Lac Tribal and Community College in Cloquet, Minn.

Day received his undergraduate degree from Bemidji State, a master’s from the University of Minnesota at Duluth and a doctorate from the University of North Dakota.

The Regional Employer Support Network was formed after area employers expressed the need for a network of professionals involved in human resource development and management. It usually meets the first Thursday of each month with regular sessions lasting two hours. Lengthier quarterly sessions are also scheduled. CRI staff facilitate RESN activities with support provided by North Country Health Services, North Country Business Products, Potlatch, Bi-CAP, Pinnacle Publishing, and Anderson Fabrics, and Johanneson, Inc.

Individuals who wish to be added to the RESN mailing list or have questions about this program should contact the Center for Research and Innovation at (218) 755-4900; toll free, (888) 738-3224; e-mail, cri@bemidjistate.edu; or at http://www.cri-bsu.org.

FOR YOUR CALENDAR
Nov. 6 – 9 a.m. – Bemidji State University Center for Research and Innovation hosts Regional Employer Support Network presentation, “Valuing Diversity.” Presenter: Dr. Don Day, executive director, American Indian Resource Center at Bemidji State. Location: CRI; 3801 Bemidji Ave. N, Bemidji. Cost: free. For information: (218) 755-4900; (888) 738-3224; http://www.cri-bsu.org.