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Journeys M AY 2 0 2 0
U . S . D E PA R T M E N T O F T H E I N T E R I O R
PMB Admin istrative Se rvices
AV S O CADR IBC O FA S OHA
Our Vision: To Deliver Outstanding Products and Customer Service
While Actively Creating and Sustaining a Respectful Focus
Message from the Deputy Assistant Secretary
Dear Administrative Services Team,
I hope you and your loved ones are staying safe during this time of
challenge as we work through the COVID-19 pandemic. I have been so
impressed with everyone’s resilience in the face of extraordinary difficulties,
and I want you to know how grateful I am for your commitment to
achieving DOI’s mission during these challenging times.
My heart goes out to each of you, especially those who have suffered loss of
loved ones. Yet I know we will persevere if we give each other and ourselves
the gift of compassion. AsTonianne Baca-Green mentions in her insightful
article on page seven, “We are all called to be our best selves right now. By
bringing awareness and compassion to yourself you build the capacity to be
a resource for others in your world.”
Thank you, Tonianne, and thanks to all who seek a compassionate world.
We truly are stronger together.
Take care and stay safe,
- Jacqueline M. Jones
2
Calendar
MAY
National Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
The history of North America is shaped by the stories of
immigrants from Asia and the Pacific and the native people
of the Pacific Islands. While some of the earliest Asian
immigrants arrived from China, Japan, India, and Korea,
immigration reforms tied to U.S. civil rights legislation
brought even more groups to the United States—such as
Vietnamese, Cambodians, Laotians, Indonesians, the
Hmong and other peoples from South and Central Asia.
Discover these stories in our nation's parks, trails, and
historic sites.
Asian American Pacific Islander National Historic
Landmarks Theme Study
Public Service Recognition Week
May 3-9, 2020 More information
Memorial Day (Federal Holiday)
Monday, May 25, 2020
Did someone in your family give their lives for freedom?
Administrative Services will be honoring these heroes in a
special commemoration. Please access the Teams site for
more information and to honor your loved ones. Thank you.
JUNE
LGBTQ Pride Month
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ)
Pride Month is currently celebrated each year in the month
of June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in
Manhattan. Celebrations include pride parades, picnics,
parties, workshops, symposia and concerts, and LGBTQ
Pride Month events attract millions of participants around
the world. Memorials are held during this month for those
members of the community who have been lost to hate
crimes or HIV/AIDS. Read more here
JULY
Independence Day (Federal Holiday)
July 4, 2020 (Federal Holiday observed Friday, July 3,
2020)
Independence Day marks the historical event when the
United States of America declared its independence from
the rule of Great Britain. On July 2, 1776, the Second
Continental Congress approved the Lee Resolution, also
known as the resolution of independence. The Declaration
of Independence was approved on July 4, 1776.
3
This Month’s
CADR Spotlight
Shout
on Asian
Out and Pacific Island American Heritage Month
New Zealand and the Maori
By Tahirih Varner, MSCM, Certified Organizational
Ombuds Practitioner, CADR
Maybe it started with The Lord of the Rings, maybe with rugby,
I’m really not sure, but a few years ago my older son Michael
developed a healthy curiosity about New Zealand. This past
summer he was afforded the incredible opportunity to spend a
month in Aotearoa (the Maori name for the country) with nine
other high school students from across the United States as
part of a Student Diplomacy Corps (SDC) program. In its vision
statement, SDC says that by “challenging our students to share,
give, laugh, struggle and learn about the world around us, we
inspire the next generation of young activists to invest in
creating a more sustainable, peaceful, successful and
interconnected global community.” So, with this mission, the
young group and their not-much-older group leader set out to
learn about the politics, ecology, and cultural dynamics of this
amazing land.
They visited black sand beaches and volcanic hot springs too Tahirih with her sons Michael Cox (18) and Jamal Cox (14)
hot to soak in. They tubed down rivers that went through caves
lit only by glow worms, observed street protests, visited
universities, and stayed in Marea – Maori cultural community centers where they learned how to prepare traditional Maori meals,
took language and culture classes, and were welcomed with an intense and thrilling Haka.
The Haka is a traditional Maori dance that
has been popularized in recent years by the
New Zealand national rugby team, The All
Blacks, who begin each match by performing
a Haka in the face of their opponents. It has
been performed in a number of other popular
arenas recently as well, including by Jason
Momoa at the premiere of Aquaman. Its
origins date back hundreds of years though
as a war cry and dance to elicit strength and
courage in the face of overwhelming odds
and to strike fear in the heart of the
opponent. The Maori people were small in
number and had suffered great adversity, but
they stood strong, held on to their values and
traditions, and their culture is rich and alive
everywhere they live and call home today.
That is a part of the meaning and significance
of the Haka, and there are others.
4
Over time, the Haka has taken on a variety of meanings
and is performed on a number of occasions, such as
weddings, funerals, reunions and more. There is also a
popular form of Haka called the Kapa Haka or
performance art Haka, used by Maori youth to bring
awareness to and address social issues in community
forums and even in international competitions.
Something else that fascinated my teenage son during
his time in the Pacific Islands, were the ever-present Ta
Moko or Maori tattoos, naturally. But what left him awe-
struck, beyond their cool designs, was their spiritual and
cultural significance. One that he recounted making a
great impression on him was an artistic representation
of an owl that is worn on the chin of select elder women,
who are designated the very honored and respected role
of passing on Maori traditions to the next generation.
Raising children and teaching them the Maori culture is
a responsibility shared by the whole family and
community, but there are certain wise women that earn
this revered position and it is denoted by this tattoo on
their chin.
The strength and resilience integral to the rich culture
and identity of the Maori people, interwoven with a
palpable warmth, peace and tranquility that my son
experienced left a life-altering impression on him. All I
know is we’re now retiring in New Zealand, because he is
determined to get back there on a more permanent
basis. If the beautiful picture of
community life he painted wasn’t
enough to win us over (which it
was), his first reports home last
summer were that “everywhere here
looks like screensavers” and “there
are no dangerous animals or
insects,” so we’re all on board.
In closing, I want to clarify that I am
certainly no expert or authority on
Maori culture, just sharing what I
joyfully learned from my
enthusiastic albeit sleep-deprived
globe-trotter.
Above: Participants in the Student Diplomacy Corps trip to New Zealand pose in front of one of
many waterfalls they visited; Michael learns that in Maori culture, the traditional skirt-like
garment made up of numerous strands of prepared flax fibers, woven or plaited, is called a piupiu.
Check out NPS’s great site celebrating Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month!
5
Focus on Wellness
Finding the Right Lever
By Chadwick J. Fleck, Training Officer, IBC
The circumstances around us have made me more mindful of
my health. You might be in the same boat. For example, I’ve
been working on weight loss for years, trying fitness and diet
routines that don’t stick. You might also be in this boat. If so
let’s both grab an oar and row together.
The good news: I’ve recently had some success with weight
loss, which is awesome. The bad news: I have no clue what
changed, so I’ve been worried it won’t stick. Then a colleague
and I were discussing our personal values. She reminded me, “If
you want to change your behavior, use your values as levers.”
Bingo. I realized why the weight loss was working. I deeply
value scientific thinking. I love data and analysis. I love having
the best possible and most objective data to make disciplined
Weight loss is still a work in progress. I’m still rowing. I don’t
decisions. (My wife jokes that I won’t buy a toaster without
think the app I’m using is the answer for everyone. Other
checking Consumer Reports scores.) I think the reason I’m
people might be deeply motivated by financial discipline or
having success is because I found a mobile app that works for
recognition, affiliation or accomplishment. Other behavior
science nerds trying to lose weight. The app teaches users the
change approaches or apps might work better for them. The
science and psychology of nutrition and behavior change. Every
question is, what personal value is your motivational lever?
time I tap the app I’m tapping into my core value. It’s like
reading Consumer Reports for nutrition, which gives me the
[The National Institutes of Health website (nih.gov) offers wellness
data I need to make better (healthier) decisions. That’s it. toolkits and other resources to support healthy changes. Start here.]
6
Full Catastrophe Living
By Tonianne Baca-Green, J.D. There is a skill
to developing
“Full Catastrophe Living” seems like a most appropriate the ability to
descriptor for the times we are living in right now. It is also mobilize inner
the title of the seminal book published thirty years ago by Jon resources to
Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D. and the source material for our mindfulness face problems
based emotional intelligence skills training here at DOI. We artfully; to
really need our thinking brain and compassionate heart right orient
now; emotional intelligence is not optional! ourselves to let
the pressure of
One of the most basic definitions of mindfulness is simply
the problem
“paying attention.” We all already know how to do that; it’s not
propel us through it, like a sailboat. No one controls the
rocket science. However, it is simple but not easy. More
weather. We can however, read it and respect its power;
specifically, mindfulness is “Paying attention, on-purpose, to
control what is controllable and let go of the rest. This is
the present moment without judgement.” Ah ha, this becomes
mindful emotional intelligence and it is trainable.
a little more challenging.
To end this article, I want to leave you with an easy mindful
We have been trained to be distracted, to be discriminating, to
self-compassion exercise. This is called the “Self-compassion
choose this over that. It is a necessary skill of course, but one
break” and has three parts:
that gets us into trouble when we don’t want to “be here now.”
By cultivating moment to moment awareness and purposely 1. When you notice a distressing thought or event, name
paying attention to things we ordinarily never give a thought it and feel it in your body: “This is a moment of
to we can develop new kinds of control and wisdom. This is suffering.”
based on our inner capacities for relaxation, paying attention,
2. Remind yourself of our common humanity: “I am not
awareness and insight. Awareness is key. By building a
alone.” Suffering is part of all human experience.
greater skill and capacity for awareness using mindfulness
practices, we can build and strengthen our thinking and
3. Give yourself compassion: “May I be kind to myself” or
compassionate heart-mind; our emotional intelligence.
“It’s OK, dear one” or “What do I need right now?” And
then give it to yourself.
Emotional Intelligence is the ability to be aware of our own
We are all called to be our best selves right now. By bringing
emotions, to manage them deliberately and manage our
awareness and compassion to yourself you build the capacity
relationships with empathy and compassion. This includes our
to be a resource for others in your world.
relationship with ourselves (self-compassion). Emotional
Intelligence includes self-awareness and self-management as Tonianne Baca-Green, J.D., is a Mindfulness and Compassionate
Leadership trainer and attorney within OHA. She is also a mediator
well as social awareness and relational management. It
and a coach. Join Tonianne as guest instructor for Wednesday’s
requires some discipline (strangely), to relax and pay Virtual Resilience Café.
attention. It requires some wisdom to bring awareness to Tonianne welcomes your questions and comments. She may be
what is without judgment and to gain insight from that reached at Tonianne.Baca-Green@bia.gov.
awareness. These are skills that we can strengthen with CADR’s weekly one-hour Virtual Resilience Café, hosted by Saman
Hussein, Wednesdays through June 24, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. EDT,
practice. There is an art to facing difficulties in ways that lead
is open to all DOI employees and no advance sign-up is required.
to effective solutions and to inner peace and harmony. Please join by WebEx link. Thank you!
7
AVSOon
Focus Spotlight on Fitness
Health and Wellness “I respect myself and insist
upon it from everybody. And
because I do it, I then respect
everybody, too.”
- Dr. Maya Angelou
Abigail True, Writer-Editor in AVSO’s Denver office, recently gave the
following challenge to her co-workers:
“Did you know that May 2nd is National Fitness Day? This
motivational day sets out to celebrate the power of fitness and the
positive impact it has in our lives. Many of us have had to deal with
gym closures, limited use of parks and open spaces, cancelled events,
and other barriers to achieving our fitness goals. What creative ways
are you finding to nurture your physical and mental wellness? Let's
motivate one another to keep moving!”
The stunning photo above was submitted by Kaiulani Rees,
Administrative Officer, Indian Trust Property Valuation Division, in
AVSO’s Anchorage office. Said Kai, “Here is a photo my husband took of
me while we were exercising and practicing social distancing by hiking on
the wild side of Alaska along the Turnagain Arm. We are very fortunate
that these trails are literally at our backyard because they are a great
Patrick Morton, Geologist, Division of Minerals
way to decompress by getting our exercise in after work.”
Evaluation, in AVSO’s Denver office, is pictured here
during a recent bike ride on South Table Mountain in
8 Golden, CO.
BEFORE AFTER
Lynne Carpenter, Geologist, Division of Minerals
Evaluation, in AVSO’s Denver office, went on a rafting
trip to the Grand Canyon. An experienced canoer and
rafter, Lynne writes, “While all the craziness was going
on topside, I was happily rowing and hiking away at the
bottom of the canyon. Sometimes in my tutu. Haha!”
Lynne’s trip in March was her fourth visit to the Grand
Canyon. She explored the canyon for the first time in
2010 as a passenger and then rowed her own boat in
2012, 2018, and now in 2020.
“I hope to go as many times as possible in my lifetime. It
is a lot of hard work, but I love it. Each time is a new
experience and teaches me new things about myself, the
canyon, and about people.”
Pictured, right: Edward Stehouwer, Team Lead
Appraiser (Parks and Reclamation Team), Federal Lands
Division in AVSO’s Denver office, is seen here summiting
one of Colorado’s mountains known as a “Fourteener.”
In the mountaineering parlance of the Western United
States, a fourteener is a mountain peak with an What are you doing to stay active and fit this
elevation of at least 14,000 feet. Summer? Tell us about it here! respect@ibc.doi.gov
9
This Month’s
Spotlight on IBC
Shout
/ CFC
OutSpecial Solicitation
IBC Names Associate Directors for Human Resources, Financial Management
IBC Acting Director Keith O’Neill announced in as a Communications and Information Systems
April that Julie Bednar and Wendell “Baze” Officer including managing deployments of Pay,
Bazemore were selected for the positions of Personnel, and Accounting Systems at the
Associate Directors within the Human Defense Finance and Accounting Service
Resources and Financial Management (DFAS) in Kansas City. He has over 25 years of
Directorates. experience in managing IT infrastructure,
telecommunications, systems implementation
Julie began her federal civilian career in 1991 as
and other technology intensive programs in
a GS-4 secretary with the Internal Revenue
support of federal and state organizations. Baze
Service in Denver. Julie joined IBC in 2001,
joined IBC in May of 2016 as the Project
starting as an HR Specialist. She quickly rose
Management Branch Chief and later became the
through the ranks to Lead HR Specialist, HR
Deputy Associate Director. He is a 2019
Supervisor, HR Officer, IBC’s HR Deputy
graduate of the Federal Executive Institute and
Associate Director, and culminating in her
holds Master of Science Degrees in Information
current position as IBC’s HR Associate Director.
Technology Management and Systems
Her wide range of experience in federal human
Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate
resources includes all fields of HR including
School and George Washington University
classification, staffing, benefits, employee
respectively.
relations, labor relations and HR systems.
Best of luck to you both as you serve in these
Baze began his professional career in the United
important leadership positions for IBC.
States Marine Corps where he served 23 years
Do you have a shout-out for a co-worker, customer or colleague? Please send it here! respect@ibc.doi.gov
10Focus on Honor
HONOR OUR HEROES THIS MEMORIAL DAY
WITH A PLAQUE ON THE VIRTUAL WALL OF HONOR
Do you have a family member who gave
their life in service to America? Please join
us in honoring these heroes as part of our
Memorial Day Virtual Wall of Honor by
sending a picture of them along with their
name, rank, years served, locations served,
and their relationship to you, and we will be
privileged to honor them.
Please send by COB 5/20/2020 to:
respect@ibc.doi.gov
Of the 21 employees in IBC’s Sacramento
office, two are required to go into the
office during the pandemic to provide
essential services they cannot provide
from home. Imagine their surprise and
delight when they came in recently and
discovered these hand-crafted wooden
coins honoring them for their
commitment to DOI’s mission. Modeled
after the Buffalo nickel, these coins say
“Essential Employee 2020 Bravery Amid
Crisis” on one side and “U.S. Department
of the Interior” on the other. Kudos to
them - and kudos to their co-workers
for this thoughtful and creative gesture!
11Coffee Break
Staying Connected Virtually
From Sarah Moore, HR Specialist, IBC
Here are a few of the activities we are doing to stay connected:
Virtual Coffee Break: Basically a Teams meeting where
everyone can join and hang out virtually for 15 minutes.
I Spy: Post an "I spy with my little eye..." and have them post
what they see that looks like the thing.
Virtual Bingo: Provide Bingo cards to everyone and play the
game.
Video Watch Party: Post a video and then discuss in a chat
thread. On top of that, we are just posting fun things in the
channel thread.
- These are awesome, Sarah! Thanks for sharing!
Pictured, left: Tara Mallory, an Appraisal Program Specialist in
the Land Buy-Back Valuation Division of AVSO’s Albuquerque
office, is seen here with her husband Sean and their son Jake
hiking a trail in Placitas, New Mexico.
ON THE COVER:
Journeys Skyline Arch really knows how to “rock” a
sunset. The vibrant warm hues leave
spectators with a deep sense of awe. When
visiting Arches National Park in Utah, try
MAY 2020 camping with family or friends in Devil's
Garden Campground. From there, take the
Journeys is a monthly publication of the short hike up behind Skyline Arch.
Experiencing the sunset from this vantage
Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary, point promises some of the best evening light
Administrative Services. Your input is and can be a dream scenario for
essential to making this a valuable photographers. Photo by Nina Mayer
Ritchie @ninamayerritchie (www.sharetheexp
resource for all employees. Please feel free erience.org). #usinterior #Findyourpark
to share your ideas, suggestions and
articles/pictures with editor Steve Carlisle
by emailing Stephen_Carlisle@ibc.doi.gov
or calling (505) 288-4092. Thank you!You can also read
