DC Office of Human Rights Newsletter | Volume XVIII | November 2019
November is Native American Heritage Month!
By now most of us know that the story of Thanksgiving they taught us in elementary school is not accurate. You also probably recognize that Christopher Columbus did not discover America and the Caribbean since there were already people, a thriving culture and traditions for hundreds of centuries before his arrival.

November is Native American Heritage Month! DC has a rich history of Native Americans in this area. In fact, a village settled by the Nacotchtank Indians became a major trading post and was referred to as "anaquash," which is where the Anacostia River's name is derived.

This month, we encourage you to explore both this region's and the nation's rich history, culture and contributions by Native Americans. There's several ways you can honor and celebrate Native American Heritage. Discover authentic portrayals of Native life through movies like Smoke Signals or books like Winter in the Blood . Or visit culturally enriching sites like:

  • US Marine Corps War Memorial featuring Ira Hayes
  • National Museum of the American Indian
  • National Native American Veterans Memorial Site
Trait of the Month: Victims of Domestic Violence, Sexual Offenses & Stalking
Last month was Domestic Violence Awareness Month and OHR featured DC's 21st protected trait in our newsletter : Status as a victim or family member of a victim of domestic violence, sexual offenses or stalking (DVSOS). We wanted to highlight this brand new trait again, which prohibits employers, employment agencies and labor organizations from discriminating against someone based on them being a victim or a family member of a victim of domestic violence, sexual offenses and/or stalking. For more information or to file a complaint, visit our website;  ohr.dc.gov .
This Months Spotlights
Join the Mayor's Office of Veteran's Affairs as they host the third DC Hires Vets career fair on Friday, November 15th at the DC Amory (2001 East Capitol St SE) starting at 10am . Dress to impress as there will be both public- and private-sector employers seeking qualified candidates. All veteran's and their spouses are welcome to attend, but please register using the link below and bring a form of military ID or documentation to be allowed entry.

OHR will be hosting our quarterly Human Rights Liaison Training on  Wednesday, December 11th  in our building (441 4th St NW). Attendees will participate in a free, daylong training on the discrimination laws OHR enforces, as well as the process on how to identify and file a complaint if a client(s) experiences illegal discrimination. If you work for a social services organization and are interested in learning more about our office, click the link below to sign up for the December training.  Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Fellowship Opportunity
The DC Office of Human Rights is looking for a research fellow to assist the communications and community engagement team in reviewing and analyzing testing data on the experiences of the transgender and gender non-conforming communities regarding employment. Duties will also include data analysis, reviewing previous reports and relevant research, creating an outline and writing a new report incorporating new data.

FELLOWSHIP DETAILS
Deadline to Apply:  November 30, 2019
Required Documents:   Submit a resume, a 300-500 word or less writing sample excerpt and cover letter (describing your experience and ability to conduct research, collect data, etc.)
 
Director's Note
Dear Stakeholders, Partners and DC Residents, 
 
Just a few weeks ago, several states around the country held general elections. Thousands of people cast ballots for everything from governors races to city council seats to important decisions about propositions and ballot measures. To many, voting is a fundamental human right. People marched, fought, protested and died to obtain these rights. Yet and still in 2019, there are scores of people that do not get full access and participation in this wonderful democratic process.

In DC, with over 700,000 residents and counting (more than Vermont and Wyoming) residents do not have an equal say in our democracy. Yet, DC residents pay the highest per-capita federal income taxes in the US, and do not get a say in how those dollars are spent or allocated. DC residents have served and died in every war for this country, yet are not allowed the full freedoms they fought to protect. For this reason and many more, the District deserves to become the 51st State of the United States!

As November is a time to give thanks, I am thankful to Mayor Bowser and Congresswomen Eleanor Holmes Norton for recognizing the inequities that exist for DC residents and fighting for statehood. To get involved in DC's fight for statehood, visit statehood.dc.gov . Hope everyone has a safe and Happy Thanksgiving!
 
Yours in service,
Mó nica Palacio, OHR Director
DC Office of Human Rights | 202.727.4559 | ohr.dc.gov