Reference no: EM133515965

Akiak Wants to Fit In

Akiak Nori was raised in Noorvik, Alaska, and then attended a career school in Juneau, Alaska, majoring in electronic technology. Approaching graduation, Akiak sorted out ­dozens of job offers he had obtained, several of which did not even require an in-person interview.

Nori accepted a position with a construction company in International Falls, Minnesota, because of the job opportunities and the long brisk winters that would be natural and comfortable for him. Akiak was assigned to a construction team for new buildings. He was also assigned maintenance work for existing electronic systems in office buildings, ­factories, and mills.

Akiak's goal from the first day on the job was to perform well and fit in with his coworkers. He recognized that fitting in with a non-Eskimo group would require some patience on his part. Akiak had been counseled by several teachers that patience was not one of his strong points.

During employee orientation, two other new employees asked Akiak if his name meant kayak in Eskimo language. With a smile, Akiak replied, "No, it means brave. I guess my parents thought I would have to be brave to grow up in Noorvik, where you have to be tough to survive."

Later that morning, Akiak was asked if ice fishing and seal hunting were his two favorite sports. "Not at all," said Akiak. "We had a first-rate hockey rink in town, so I got to love hockey. And I'm a Minnesota Viking (professional ­football team) fan. That's why I took a job in Minnesota." (Said with a smile.)

During lunch, Mary, another new employee asked Akiak, "Tell me Akiak, are you an Eskimo? Or are you an Inuit? I don't want to make a mistake."

Akiak responded, "It's no mistake to call me an Eskimo. It's no mistake to call me an Inuit. Some people think that the term Eskimo is wrong, and that we should be called Inuit. It doesn't matter to me or to my friends and family. We like both terms.

"Yet, Mary, the mistake you are making is not thinking of me as just another American. Alaska is one of the fifty states. We vote. We pay and receive Social Security. And we learn English in school, and we eat at McDonald's."

"I'm sorry," said Mary. "I was just trying to be friendly."

Ned, the supervisor of the orientation program, said to the group, "I think we have asked Akiak enough about his cultural heritage for now. Yet I have just one favor to ask Akiak. I wish he would show us how he positions his arm, head, and body to spear a big fish."

Akiak said with a sarcastic tone, "Time out. I'm taking a break from this orientation right now. I have to go back to my igloo and chew on some frozen fish."

1. What does this case tell us about cultural sensitivity?

2. How might Akiak's coworkers have related better to him during the orientation?

3. How might Akiak have done a better job of relating to his new coworkers so far?