This November marks #IndigenousPeoplesMonth, a time during which we celebrate the vibrant cultures, enduring histories, and invaluable contributions of Indigenous communities. In an effort to support and uplift Indigenous voices, I will be #SharingTheMic with Christopher Cochran MSL, MBA, CPT Pratt & Whitney’s F117 Program Manager, and the business unit Chair of RTX’s employee resource group RAIN (Raytheon’s Alliance of Indigenous Nations). It's an honor to partner with Chris to amplify his story and ultimately help deepen understanding of Indigenous culture. Read on to more about his Indigenous journey. Chris’ Story (pt. 1) I was born in California to two high school kids from broken homes. My mother was 16 and was adamant that she was not going to repeat the cycle that was her childhood. She did break the cycle by marrying another man who adopted me and then relocating together. I am sure I would not be sharing this today if she had not done that. Given the move and the adoption, I did not have contact with my birth father and family. My mother knew that my father was Native American, but she was never sure from which tribe, so she did her best to incorporate seemingly Native American things into my life. While I loved her for the effort, all she knew about the culture was what we saw on TV or what was taught in school, which was far from factual. As a child I tried to identify as Native American, but not knowing my heritage made that difficult. When I would say I was Native American, I was met with ridicule, jeers, and bullying from other kids so eventually, I just stopped. Following that, I would say I was Irish when the topic arose. It wasn’t until I was twenty-two years old and was processing to go overseas at FT. Leonard Wood, Missouri that I was “forced” to claim being Native American. An Army civilian clerk was reviewing my forms and saw that I had identified as “Caucasian.” She looked up at me and with a very snotty tone asked, “Are you sure there isn’t anything else?,” to which I replied, “Native American.” She then said, “Thought so.” I was shocked and did not know how to react. This has been the only time in my adult and predominantly white-presenting life that I personally felt racism. There was a fire sparked inside of me that day and as I look back that was the first day of my journey to reclaim my heritage.
I wish I could express how awesome that I receive and honor this. Christopher, a powerful and inspirational story you share, thank you. And Jill, your lift is nothing short of magnificent.
F117 Program Manager, Pratt & Whitney P&W BU Chair, RTX RAIN (Raytheon’s Alliance of Indigenous Nations) Owner, Little Bird Wellness. President, ATEC
1wJill thank you for sharing your page with me so that I can share my story with your followers and connections. Your support as well as Chris Kmetz 🇺🇦 as executive champions for RAIN is very evident with gestures like this. First picture is my mother and birth father circa 1970 Pomona CA. Second is my great grandmother Cherokee Filmore late 1800’s early 1900’s Cherokee Territory OK.