This article is part of our Southland Stories series, which highlights our employees and their diverse experiences and backgrounds. By recognizing and supporting our employees in connection to different awareness months and initiatives, we put our people first, directly sharing employee experiences, raising awareness, and fostering connection and inclusion across our company.
At Southland, we celebrate the unique heritage of our employees from around the world. Each person has a story, and throughout the year, we strive to share and elevate their voices. In honor of Native American Heritage Month, Dwight Irving, Senior BIM Support Specialist, reflects on his Navajo heritage and how it has shaped his life and career.
Yá'át'ééh, shí éí Dwight Irving yinishyé, Tódik'ǫzhi nishłį́, Táchii'nii bashishchiin Ta'neeszahnii shícheii Honágháahnii shínálí.
About Dwight
Translated from above, Dwight shares, "Hello, my name is Dwight Irving. My first clan is Salt Water Clan, my second clan is Red Running into Water Clan, my third clan is Tangle Clan, and my fourth clan is One Who Walks Around Clan."
Originally from Round Rock, Arizona, Dwight began his career as a union carpenter with Local 1977 in Las Vegas, working as a metal stud framer and drywall hanger. Growing up in a rural part of the Four Corners region, Dwight learned a strong work ethic early on — preparation for a future in construction.
Seeking a change, Dwight remembered his high school interest in AutoCAD and enrolled in ITT Tech. In 2015, he joined Southland, focusing on project setup, model maintenance, and management.
Celebrating Native American Heritage Month
Native American Heritage Month holds different meanings for Native communities and is celebrated in various ways. It's an opportunity to honor traditions, languages, and contributions, while bringing awareness to the challenges Native people have faced throughout history and continue to face today.
"To me, Native American Heritage Month means speaking my Native language. Native people have their own languages and that is our way of connecting to Mother Earth. Without our language, we would lose our identity," Dwight explains.
The following sayings hold a special place in the Navajo language:
- HózhóNáhásdlíí – Walk in beauty
- T'aahwo aji' t'eego – It's up to me
- Tó'éí'iiná – Water is life
Promoting cultural preservation
Diversity and inclusion have become priorities across industries, including construction. At Southland, we are committed to preserving and sharing our employees' unique cultures while acknowledging their vital contributions to the country. By doing so, we provide visibility and advocacy for historically underrepresented groups.
Southland bridges gaps by supporting the recruitment and career development of Native American and other historically underrepresented groups within the construction industry. Dwight focuses on advancing the Mountain West Division, where he grew up and now works in our Phoenix office. With the numerous tribes in Arizona, Dwight encourages Southland and other construction companies to invest more in recruiting from Native communities.
"Although this has become a recent focus, it would be great to see more outreach to high school students on reservations. There are 22 tribes in Arizona, which means many opportunities for recruitment within Native communities," Dwight emphasizes.
"The construction industry can show them a different way of living and teach them if they put in the hard work, they can get out of the hard life they live today," he continued.
Incorporating Native traditions in the workplace
Dwight weaves his Navajo traditions into both his personal and professional life. The Navajo maintain a profound connection to nature, viewing the land, water, and all living things as sacred and interconnected. Water holds particular significance, embodying both physical and spiritual meaning. Tó'éí'iiná, or water is life, is central to Navajo culture.
"No matter the job, water knows what to do in every situation — from nourishing plants, serving as a drink to humans, or putting out a fire. I want to be like water in my position and understand what to do in every situation," Dwight shares.
The intricate preparation for a traditional ceremony, including arranging for medicine people, coordinating dates, and providing food for attendees, mirrors the detailed planning required in construction projects.
"With a project that is starting, we coordinate with all types of companies and people. We need to all get on the same page, so the project runs smoothly," Dwight explains.
Experiences like Dwight's introduce fresh perspectives and unique problem-solving approaches that enrich the workplace. Both at work and home, he aims to learn and grow from every situation.
Celebrating Dwight's journey
Growing up, Dwight's daily life included waking up before dawn to catch the school bus, managing without indoor plumbing, and navigating muddy dirt roads during rain and snow. Routine tasks like hauling chizh, or firewood, to keep warm built resilience, a quality that has served him well in the construction field.
"My maternal grandmother was a significant influence regarding my career path. She created a blueprint on how to work for what you want in life. Today, I want to show my kids what I was taught growing up and pass down those Native teachings to them," Dwight reflects.
Dwight's grandmother, Darlene Johnson, is a traditional Navajo rug and tapestry weaver. For the Navajo, weaving is more than a craft; it is storytelling, spiritual expression, and cultural preservation. Patterns often reflect history, ceremonies, and nature, handed down through generations.
"My grandfather passed away in 1989. She did not come up with excuses — she was always getting work done around the home. That type of attitude is the attribute I try and bring to Southland," Dwight said.
Just as Dwight's grandmother weaves stories into her work, Southland strives to weave stories that celebrate Native American Heritage and honor the contributions of Native communities. We encourage our employees to listen, learn, and celebrate the important contributions of Native communities within our company and industry.
Raising awareness for Native American Heritage Month
While we celebrate many events throughout the year, it's essential to continuously raise awareness and support Native communities.
"I would like to share more about the BIM process and the kinds of careers students can have with the Navajo community and other Native communities in the surrounding Tempe area," Dwight says.
Sharing resources and learning about Native culture is another way to contribute. "For more information about Navajo history and further learning, the Navajo Nation Museum is a good resource. I can be an ally, and my family still practices Navajo traditional ceremonies. If there's a question I can't answer, I have family that can," Dwight adds.
Native tribal governments in Arizona and across the country offer resources and information for individuals interested in learning more about Native culture. For more information, visit Native American Heritage Month.
Navajo Rug Made by Darlene Johnson, Dwight's Grandmother
Haiven Friday, Dwight's Niece
Hailey M. Johnson, Dwight's Niece
Navajo Rug Made by Darlene Johnson, Dwight's Grandmother
Robin Begay, Dwight's Niece
Senior Content Marketing Strategist
As Senior Content Marketing Strategist for Southland Industries, Lindsay Janssen manages the content lifecycle. From ideation, creation, and editing through distribution, measurement and maintenance, and creating content strategy, Lindsay develops new and innovative ideas for Southland's digital channels.