Relative to Relative: Sabrina Sykes (Haida)

Some people trust their gut when making big decisions; others call it listening to their intuition. Sabrina Sykes (Haida) listens to her family, especially her ancestors. You could even say one of them influenced her decision to work at Seattle Indian Health Board. (More on that later.) Whether in her hometown of Ketchikan, Alaska or in the Seattle area, it seems home and family — in the broadest sense of these words — have always grounded her. 

A smiling woman wearing long leather earrings is typing in an office.

Relative to Relative: Christina Diego (Nimiipuu/ Diné)

When Christina Diego (Nimiipuu/ Diné) selects one pair of earrings from the 90 pairs she’s collected, she’s just choosing to wear something that complements her outfit. But she is aware her choice can also be interpreted as a statement. “I think earrings are definitely a way to decolonize the workplace, and [to] decolonize spaces when you’re outside in community,” she says.