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About the event
Native American Heritage Month
Ice Miller’s firm wide Heritage and History Month events are 1-hour virtual sessions hosted via Microsoft Teams, with an audience of approximately 75+ attendees. Our goal is to foster continuous learning about different heritages and cultures, recognizing that a diverse team—one that brings varied perspectives and cultural insights—drives creativity, fuels innovation, and strengthens relationships.
Date: TBD
Budget: $2,500
Audience: 75+ seeing closer to 100, Firm Wide, Business Professionals, Executive Staff.
Leadership Expert & Motivational Storyteller
D.J. Eagle Bear Vanas is an internationally acclaimed motivational storyteller, bestselling author, and a proud member of the Odawa Nation. A former U.S. Air Force officer, D.J. has spoken at the White House, delivered over 7,000 presentations, and worked with organizations like NASA, Intel, Accenture, and hundreds of tribal nations. Through his company, Native Discovery Inc., D.J. helps individuals and organizations tap into the Native American warrior spirit to lead with courage, stay resilient, and serve at their best — even in times of chaos. His bestselling books include The Tiny Warrior and The Warrior Within, and his PBS special Discovering Your Warrior Spirit brought his message to audiences nationwide.
Virtual Fee: Typically $6,500 but can negotiate to $5,000
Website: https://nativediscovery.com/
Availability: Nov. 26th / Potentially Nov. 20th or 21st (he currently has a hold on this date). Can look into dates for December.
"D.J. Vanas is a powerful speaker! We hosted a nationwide broadcast and featured D.J. and his incredible storytelling skills. Our audience was engaged and inspired as D.J. shared his perspective around tapping the warrior spirit to drive greater collaboration and innovation in the workplace. D.J. brings a fresh perspective that bridges his strong American Indian roots and a decade of military experience—which is truly unique.” - Suzanne Randall, Managing Director, Accenture, Company
"DJ Vanas elevates. It’s that simple. The wisdom and insight he offers cuts through the clutter of today’s world and connects people with the fundamental truths that create real, lasting impact…he is one of those people who humbly lives out the lessons he shares in every aspect of his life. As a speaker, he has the remarkable ability to energize and equip an audience like few I have ever seen — covering the spectrum of humor, insight and application. DJ Vanas not only leads by example but leads by the right example." - LtCol Kevin Basik, USAF, (Ret.) Professionalism and Ethical Leadership Development, Pentagon
Speaker Highlights
Why D.J. Is a Great Fit:
- D.J. brings a rare and powerful dual perspective as both a Native American leader and a U.S. military veteran — making him an ideal speaker for programming that honors both Native American Heritage Month and Veterans Day.
- He is a recognized thought leader on personal development, resilience, and service — drawing from the warrior principles of Native culture.
- With over 25 years of experience and 7,000+ speaking engagements, he has a proven ability to engage diverse professional audiences, from senior executives to community leaders.
- His message is both motivational and practical, delivered with humor, heart, and cultural wisdom.
- As a tribal citizen, Sun Dancer, and military academy graduate, D.J. offers a genuinely intersectional message of honor, identity, and service — aligned with Ice Miller’s broader DEI and heritage programming goals.
Recommended Keynote:
The Warrior Within
We all want to be brave. We all want to deliver when it matters... and in this session, you’ll be inspired to do both. Enduring tough times and turbulent change can bring fearful doubt which can affect our focus, wellness and the way we serve others. Based on his new book The Warrior Within, D.J. shares a unique, powerful perspective from Native American culture on what the warrior role is (and isn’t) about and how we can emulate the principles of that role to stay strong to contribute to our tribe - and understand that the role of warriors can make us warriors in our roles! As he did as the host of his own PBS special Discovering Your Warrior Spirit, he’ll share with you, in a straightforward and entertaining way, how to navigate change with confidence and clarity, leverage scarce resources for maximum effect, develop mental toughness, maintain perspective, health (and a sense of humor) and continue to serve at our best even in chaos. Now is the time for warriors to stand up, be strong and lead by example – are you ready?
The Storyteller
tai simpson—known as “The Storyteller” in the Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) language—is a direct descendant of Chief Redheart and a nationally respected Indigenous speaker, social justice advocate, and community organizer based in Boise, Idaho. Her academic background in Political Philosophy & Public Law informs her powerful work on racial equity, systems of oppression, and Indigenous liberation. tai speaks with authentic conviction on critical issues including Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women & People (MMIW/P), community healing, and antiracism, using traditional Indigenous storytelling to illuminate truths, bridge generations, and build beloved community. Her voice has been featured on TEDxBoise, Boise State Public Radio, and numerous platforms across Indian Country and beyond.
Virtual Fee: Negotiated to $2,500
Website: https://www.taisimpson.com/
Availability: tai is currently available for a 60-minute virtual session during the lunch hour (12:00–1:00 PM ET) on any of the following dates: November 17, 19, 21, or 24. Can look into dates later into the month.
Speaker Highlights
Why tai Is a Great Fit
- Offers a deeply authentic Native voice, grounded in Nimiipuu traditions and her lived experience as a community advocate and educator
- Known for her powerful use of Indigenous storytelling to engage audiences in conversations around history, belonging, justice, and culture
- Addresses both the honor of heritage and the urgency of present-day realities, including MMIW/P and intersectional justice
- Equally effective with professional, academic, and civic audiences, making her a strong fit for Ice Miller’s firm-wide programming
- Her message encourages reflection and actionable change — highly aligned with organizational DEI goals and heritage month themes
Keynote:
tai curates her talks based on audience, context, and current themes in justice work. While a formal keynote title hasn’t been provided, her TEDx talk, “The Intergenerational Wisdom Woven into Indigenous Stories,” offers an excellent reference point for her storytelling approach, cultural framing, and the topics she’s known for illuminating.
Her sessions often explore how Indigenous values — the “old ways” — inform leadership, inclusion, resistance, and community care. tai draws on both lived experience and ancestral teachings to guide audiences in reflection and action. She speaks with clarity, power, and compassion — making her voice especially resonant for Native American Heritage Month and organizational DEI learning spaces.