Native American Heritage Month offers a time to reflect and celebrate the history, culture, and traditions of Native Americans. At AP, we value all that we have learned from the Tribal Nations we have had the privilege of working with and from our own team members whose heritage strengthens our understanding of the communities we serve. Their perspectives help guide how we build relationships, how we listen, and how we approach each project with care.
In honor of Native American Heritage Month, we invited three AP team members to share what this month means to them and the role their heritage plays in their work.
• Adam Pardun, Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe
• Angela LaVelle, White Earth Nation
• Geo Abbey, Alabama-Coushatta Tribe of Texas
Native American Heritage Month offers a moment to honor the stories, teachings, and values passed down through generations.
Angela described this as a month to honor her ancestors from the White Earth Nation and reflect on what earlier generations carried forward.
“Native American Heritage Month is a time for me to pause and honor the ancestors who carried forward stories, strength, and culture. It’s a moment to reflect on history, the beauty, the resilience, and the hardships, and to recognize how those experiences continue to shape who we are today. It’s also a celebration of living cultures: the languages, traditions, and values that guide us and ground us. For me, this month is both remembrance and renewal, a reminder of where I come from and an inspiration to carry that heritage into the work I do every day.”
Adam spoke about how this month reinforces the continued presence and impact of Native communities today.
“To me, it means honoring stories, resilience and ongoing contributions of Indigenous people. It’s a chance to learn, listen, and celebrate traditions that continue to thrive. Most importantly, it’s a reminder that Native communities are not just part of the past, they are here now, leading and inspiring future generations.”
Geo reflected on the meaning of national observances and the importance of collective recognition.
“Native American Heritage Month carries meaning similar to holidays like Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, or Independence Day. Each of those observances reflects values that should be remembered daily – service, gratitude, and freedom. In the same way, Native American Heritage Month provides an opportunity for our nation to pause, reflect, and hopefully, appreciate the history, contributions, and continued presence of Native peoples.”
Heritage shapes the way our team members approach their work at AP and the responsibility they bring to projects in Tribal Nations.
Adam spoke about the foundation of responsibility he carries into each project.
“My heritage shapes how I approach construction by grounding me in the responsibility to build with care and intention. It pushes me to listen first, collaborate openly, and make decisions that support long-term community health. I’m always thinking about the impact on the people who will live with this project long after it’s done. My goal is to make sure the work serves the community and stands as something future generations can benefit from.”
Angela shared how her heritage gives purpose to her work with Native American communities.
“My heritage influences my work in every way. It grounds me in who I come from and reminds me why this work matters. When I support Tribal communities, I feel deeply connected, not only to my own roots, but to the stories, strength, and sovereignty of other Nations. My heritage shapes how I listen, how I build relationships, and how I show up with respect and responsibility. This work feels purposeful because it allows me to contribute to something bigger than myself. In many ways, I feel like I’m honoring my ancestors and making up for the years when I didn’t yet know how to give back to Indian Country. Today, I do this work with intention, gratitude, and heart.”
Many of the teachings shared by our team members reflect values tied to land, family, and traditions passed from one generation to the next.
Geo reflected on the memories and pride that powwows bring to him and his family.
“Pow-wows were a big part of my life when I was a young boy. I have fond memories of camping and cook-outs, the craziness of getting ready for the start, coupled with the mad dash to get to Grand Entry, and finally, the look of pure joy on my brother’s face when he placed in the dancing competitions. However, not being a dancer, it wasn’t until recently that I began to really appreciate pow-wows – reuniting with family and friends, as well as the overwhelming sense of pride in seeing the dancers in their full dance regalia.”
Moments from recent powwows. The center photo includes Geo with his wife and his daughter’s friend Daelyn.
Adam reflected on the teachings of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe that guide how people care for the land and honor what it provides.
“Respect for nature is an important value. We have a fundamental belief that every animal and plant is a living being and should be treated with respect. If we are going to take something from the earth, we need to offer something in return and only take what we need to feed our family and those in need.”
Adam and his family harvesting and processing manoomin (wild rice) near Mille Lacs Lake, a tradition carried through generations.
Angela shared the cultural and spiritual meaning of manoomin within the White Earth Nation.
“Wild rice, manoomin, is sacred to the White Earth Nation. It’s more than a traditional food; it’s a spiritual relative, a gift from the Creator that fulfilled the Anishinaabe migration prophecy to settle ‘where food grows on water.’ Harvesting manoomin is an act of cultural continuity, sustainability, and prayer. It nourishes families, strengthens identity, and connects each generation to the waters, the land, and the teachings that have shaped White Earth for centuries. My Dad makes the best wild rice dish!”
Work with Tribal Nations requires a clear understanding of cultural priorities, project goals, and long-term planning. Each facility must support current needs and align with the communities’ long-term vision.
Angela shared the importance of creating spaces that support community well-being and respect the traditions that guide each Nation.
“To build for Tribal communities means contributing to something far beyond a physical structure. It means helping create spaces where culture is honored, identity is strengthened, and people feel seen and supported. It’s about building places that foster connection, belonging, and community well-being, spaces where traditions can be taught, shared, and lived. It also means advancing sovereignty by ensuring Tribal Nations have facilities that reflect their values, support their goals, and strengthen their future. For me, building for Tribal communities is a privilege. It’s taking part in uplifting Nations, honoring their stories, and helping shape environments where the next seven generations can thrive.”
AP is proud to be building a community center for MHA Nation – West Segment, a facility that honors cultural tradition while supporting the community’s current needs and long-term vision.
Adam described the responsibility to build with intention and carry out each project in a way that reflects the needs of the community it serves.
“Building for Tribal communities means approaching construction with humility, respect, and partnership. It means understanding that we’re not just constructing a building, we’re contributing to a community’s infrastructure, identity, and future. To me, it involves listening closely to Tribal leadership, honoring cultural values, and ensuring that the project supports the community’s long-term goals. Ultimately, it’s about delivering work that is both functional and meaningful, and that leaves the community stronger than before we started.”
The stories shared this month deepen our understanding of the history and values that influence the work we carry out with Tribal Nations. These perspectives help inform our approach and reinforce the responsibility we carry across each stage of a project.
Geo spoke about the importance of recognizing the resilience and presence of Native communities.
“As an enrolled member of a Native American tribe, Native American Heritage Month is a recognition that Native people are still here – living, thriving, contributing, and carrying forward traditions that have existed on this land long before there was a United States of America. It invites others to listen, to learn, and to understand the resiliency of Native communities.”
We learned a great deal from the stories and insight shared by our team members. Their perspectives encouraged us to slow down, listen with intention, and reflect on the purpose behind our work with Tribal Nations.
As Project Executive, Dan Anderson leads AP’s Tribal Market sector. He partners with Tribal Nations to plan and build facilities of many types from healthcare clinics and community centers to gaming and hospitality projects. Dan provides executive-level oversight across project planning and delivery. He leads project teams with a focus on quality, transparency, accountability, and clear communication. His leadership reflects a commitment to serving the best interests of Tribal communities and supporting meaningful, long-term project outcomes. Dan is passionate about giving back to the communities he serves and stays active in industry efforts and outreach that support Tribal priorities and future workforce development.
