"If not me, then who?" 👐 Native American Heritage Month with Marcus Benally, MBA

It's Native American Heritage Month! The latest episode of Insight in Indian Country features Marcus Benally, a Navajo audit manager at REDW Advisors and CPAs, who skillfully blends his grandfather's teachings with corporate leadership in the finance industry. In this candid conversation, podcast host REDW Principal and National Tribal Practice Leader Wesley Benally sits down with Marcus to discuss how cultural identity becomes a superpower in professional settings, even when imposter syndrome strikes.

Their discussion challenges the notion that tribal communities are merely historical footnotes, highlighting their current economic impact and innovation. Marcus's journey illustrates how traditional values – from education to community connection – can transform into professional strengths.

This episode emphasizes a larger truth: Native American heritage isn't just a monthly observance but a vital, ongoing force in American society. It's a powerful reminder that embracing one's cultural roots can be the key to authentic leadership.

Chapters

• 00:00 - Introduction to Native American Heritage Month
• 02:16 - Cultural Identity and Professional Journey
• 05:44 - Leadership and Representation in Business
• 10:55 - Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
• 16:10 - Economic Contributions of Tribal Communities
• 20:57 - The Significance of Native American Heritage Month
• 25:01 - Acknowledging Historical Injustices
• 26:51 - Future Endeavors and Closing Thoughts

REDW Advisors and CPAs is proud to bring you the Insight in Indian Country Podcast, covering important advisory, accounting, and finance topics that impact Tribal Nations and business affairs. Thanks for listening!

👉 Visit our website

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:00

Welcome back to the Inside in Indie Country Podcast. I'm your host, Wesley Benalli. As we celebrate Native American Heritage Month, I want to spotlight a colleague and a fellow leader, Marcus Benali, MBA, who serves as an audit manager here at REDW. Marcus brings a unique perspective on blending traditional Native American values with modern business practices, particularly in his work with travel enterprises and their organizations. And also travel governments. Let's throw that in there. His journey exemplifies the importance of maintaining cultural connections while advancing in the corporate slash Western world, right? And you know, Marcus, hey, welcome to the show. And I've been kind of waiting for this, but you're a very busy man. I like to call you the most interesting man in Indian country. And uh I know that you always say, hey Marcus, can you know our podcast? Ah, I'm running here, I'm going there, you know, I got this and that. So I'm glad you took some time for me today and appreciate it.

SPEAKER_01 1:05

Of course. Thank you for having me, Wes. I appreciate the opportunity.

SPEAKER_00 1:09

Yeah, yeah, man. Welcome, welcome. So why don't you share uh the audience a little bit about yourself, uh where you're from, all that good stuff. Sure.

SPEAKER_01 1:18

So, you know, wouldn't be, you know, without our embracing our culture and our heritage. So, you know, being a fellow Navajo, you know, both of us are banales, and for those that are listening, no, we're not related. Uh but yat e sh auto should neh, sh'e, Marcus Banali nish yeah, not shish, nale, uh could e go to nan shle um sh a yesin has do e de shiganigi a tosbalnish. Um so the for those uh tuning in, I just introduced myself in my traditional Navajo language. Um said my four clans, which are Zuni clan. Um I am Zuni clan, born for the Mexican clan. Um my maternal grandfather is the Towering House clan, and my paternal grandfather is the folded arms clan. And I come from a community um in the Four Corners area. I'm originally from the New Mexico side, uh, from a community called Upper Fruitland, New Mexico. And so that's where I reside and currently working here in uh Phoenix, Arizona, uh for RDW.

SPEAKER_00 2:32

Yep, yep. No, I mean, Marcus, that's important. You know, I think as we move along, we always like to introduce ourselves properly, you know. We always get yelled at if we don't, you know. Yeah. Grandma's always getting mad at you.

SPEAKER_01 2:46

So you would. They taught us better.

SPEAKER_00 2:49

Yeah, yeah, yeah. No, man. Thank you. Thank you. And so, you know, how how long have you been in uh public accounting?

SPEAKER_01 2:57

So very fortunate. Um, just this past October, celebrated my nine years here at RDW, and all of of my public accounting experience has actually been at RDW.

SPEAKER_00 3:08

That's great. So you know you're you're in our audit insurance department, so you know you do all the findings, so everybody wants to get a hold of Marcus for the findings as a guy.

SPEAKER_01 3:18

Everyone comes after me, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 3:19

Yeah, yeah, everyone comes after you. They're like, he can't he's back. Yeah, yeah, oh, he's back. Yep, yep, yep. Well, you know, that's not the case. I was here when we used to we work on jobs, yeah. I was here, all the ladies, oh, it's Marcus, you know. No, no, you know, you know, I'm I'm really proud of you to be honest with you know, I'm really um, you know, I always refer to you as Che, right? Hey, Che. And so, you know, kind of just a background on that is that, you know, obviously, you know, in Navajo, right, we we refer to our maternal grandfather side as Che, but you know, the reason why I say that is, you know, with my grandpa, he always called me Che. And I was like, you know, one time I asked him, I was like, Why you why do you call me Che? I'm not a grandpa, you know? He goes, well, you know, you're you're teaching me how to be a grandpa, you know, because I was kind of the first born of that. He's like, You teach me a grandpa, so you know, you're my you're my teacher from that perspective. So that's why I call you Che. You know, so for you, I was like, all right, now I need to learn from Marcus on, you know, how to TikTok, how to, you know, social media. Social media. Yeah, yeah. So all right. I mean, you know, from that standpoint, I know that you know you're you're really involved in a lot of different efforts, you know, for your professional career, and you know, you've you've been able to get um you know acquainted with different organizations and whatnot. So from your perspective, just what you've been taught as a you know, as a Navajo or even just as a young professional, you know, what what kind of drives you to seek those opportunities, you know, and then maybe provide a couple examples for our young leaders now listening. Yeah.

SPEAKER_01 5:10

So, you know, I think for me growing up, um, coming from the reservation was a lot different, right? We both grew up on the reservation. Um, we understood what it was like growing up on the reservation. And so coming into Indian country, it's pretty unique where, you know, we may come from different parts of the country, but you know, life on the reservation kind of is a little similar here and there throughout the country. And so it's always great to bring that perspective when you're coming into this type of workforce because a lot of times when I visit my clients or go to different parts of the country, um, we can really resonate. And though we didn't really grow up in the same walk of life, honestly, we kind of understand each other that we came from that same walk of life as well, um, which is which is great because it really helps me resonate and connect with our clients, um, especially going to a lot of our areas, which I'm used to, right? We we currently both live in the city or the metropolitan. Um, there's a lot of resources around us, whether that's, you know, stores, um, you know, healthcare access, you know, casinos. Um, but when you go to, you know, it's similar to me, like going back home where we go to a lot of our clients and they're in a remote rural area. And and for me, it's a little bit of that sense of comfortability where it's it's nice because even though I didn't grow up or live there, I have an understanding of what it's like to be there and and I really can resonate. So to me, you know, I go to a lot of these different parts of the world and really already can connect. So I know I'm going about it in a long story short, but what I'm getting at is when I come into these leadership roles, I come with the intention that I really heavily rely on my background and you know, my personal experiences and I and I hone that and I bring that with me that I can share that unique perspective. And so when I go to a lot of these leaderships and you're asking, like, what kind of drive do I give, is it in really the sense that when I look at these leadership roles or organizations that I look at, a lot of times I don't see people that look like us, you know, or that represent, you know, some of our walks of life or our understanding. And so I always am come, I come from the perspective of, you know, a lot of people are dissatisfied with things the way they are, you know, but and that's really all the extent that happens. But really, I think of it in the sense that um I don't like the situation or I don't like that. So how do I change that? How do I become instead part of the solution rather than just talk about it? And so that's really my intention when I go and get involved in these leadership programs is I want to be the solution. I want to see, you know, I see the problem and I want to be part of the solution or just give a lot of the voice for people that look like us. And and a lot of times it's really nice in the success that they, you know, most of my ideas are accepted or, you know, they they come with that understanding. Um, but a lot of that is also truly owning who I am, which, you know, together as us, you know, obviously we're Navajo, so our Navajo listeners would understand, but I'm the ne, you know, and so and really understanding and being true to who I am and not trying to be somebody else. And when I do a lot of these leadership roles, that that's what I think about is not trying to be anybody else but myself, especially when you reference, you know, you know, look like us, I think you mean by handsome. Exactly.

SPEAKER_00 8:54

No, that's why I was teasing like all the girls are coming, hey here's Marcus, he's back. No, I just message, but uh no, yeah, I I I really um you know I admire that attitude, you know, with seeing that that in you and um especially having the the courage to do it, right? I mean, I think a lot of the time coming from the communities we came from, that that sense of just having the courage or you know, uh thought to hey take on a leadership role, it's not always there, right? And most say it's a you know product of the of the environment, but you know, you know, sometimes it's just having the courage to get out of out of your comfort zone, right? And really embrace, you know, opportunities that come across your path. And, you know, hey, you may not meet the goal, but you gave it a shot. You took a swing, you know. I think that's the biggest thing.

SPEAKER_01 9:45

Yeah, and I think a lot of that sometimes is just learning, especially for you know our listeners who are maybe young leaders or trying to get out there in the world, and whether that's in your current industry or just trying to get involved in other organizations, but you really have to learn how to be comfortable in that uncomfortability. Um, and that, and that's really what it is, because you know, there's so many things that we face as not just indigenous people, but people coming from a DEI background, you know, like sometimes I've faced imposter syndrome where, you know, there are situations where I'm not sure if I even belong there or I'm I'm not doing the right thing. And so it's really like, you know, letting our listeners know that sometimes that does happen and we're not you can't be afraid to sit in that uncomfortability. Um, but I always think of it in the sense that if not me, then who? Yep. You know, and if I'm not doing it, then who else is gonna do it? Yeah. Um, and so and I do it for the representation because I hope to see, you know, if I'm in that role or I'm in that spotlight or that capacity or that space that somebody who looks like me will be like, hey, he's here too, you know, and and they'll wanna get involved or get included. So if you're out there listening and you're getting involved and you know, you feel that sense of uncomfortability, just know that you know there is some type of good intention where, you know, it may be may not be that day, but eventually down the road, somebody will see you and be like, wow, somebody else is here too, you know, and and you'll kind of make a difference, which is pretty cool.

SPEAKER_00 11:21

Yeah, yeah. No, no, no. I mean, I think I think you just see you kind of, you know, do your thing with um, you know, organizations that such as you know, uh Young Valley professionals that you're involved with, right? I mean, that probably you had to struggle a little bit. Maybe, I don't know. I'm just kind of you know thinking about whether or not I should do this, you know, does it even make sense? You know, stuff like that, you know, and um I know that you're very involved in that.

SPEAKER_01 11:44

Yeah, and with that, um, with it, so I am involved in the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, and they have an organization uh within them is the Valley Young Professionals, and I'm currently their vice chair right now, and and that was really cool because that is something, you know, that was my intention is getting out there. And we do a lot of various things between networking, um uh behind the scenes tours of other businesses or professional development. But one thing I noticed is you know, there was a definitely a lack of representation of the native population. And so when I applied to the board, a lot of my intention was enlightening our audience that, hey, we come from the state of Arizona, there's 22 federally recognized tribes. Um, of those 22 tribes, you know, we have three tribes surrounding um the Phoenix metropolitan in itself. Um, not only that, but we also don't account for all the urban Indian populations represented here. And there's a lot of economic factors that contribute to the growth and development of our not only our state, but our metropolitan. Um, but it's bringing that light where, hey, um, you know, there should be a seat at the table for a lot of these individuals um to have a voice or to have a perspective and people to understand that that you know our population does contribute to society as well.

SPEAKER_00 13:09

Yeah, yeah. No, I mean, that's become more and more prevalent, you know, as um tribes get into different opportunities, right? And not just historically as it's been as gaming and whatnot. And you know, through your travels, I'm sure you're seeing that that's more or less getting really into the commercial sector, working with other organizations around, you know, whatever various cities there are, or even you know, companies. And so that hopefully kind of opens up the eyes on really the true true economic impact that tribal communities give to, especially here in the valley, you know. And so, you know, that's that's glad that that you're there. You're already vice chair, dang. Vice chair Benali. All right. Yep. All right exactly.

SPEAKER_01 13:57

There you go. There you go. No, but I think also in that same kind of keeping to that same topic, you know, I think it's really neat because I've been giving a few opportunities to speak on um instances like that. You know, um uh this past year, uh, we had the um like a chamber related to Charlotte, North Carolina. They ended up doing like a we're kind of a similar sister city, if you will, but they ended up doing an economic visit. Um, and they brought over like 130 of their business leaders to Phoenix and kind of explore different avenues of what, you know, why why Phoenix? Why do people come here, you know, things like that. And what what's that perspective? And so I I was fortunate to sit on their young professional panel and provide that perspective, you know, and and I think for them, you know, I think they only have one federally recognized tribe, but the rest are all state recognized tribes. But irregardless, I gave them that perspective that you have to understand. Um, I come from, you know, a near neighboring reservation. And a lot of times our opportunities are forced for us to leave the reservation. We have to leave for you know these opportunities to serve in these various capacities or just professional advancement or even going to school or anything like that. And so I gave them that perspective that, you know, you may not see them all the time, uh, but they're probably definitely in your population. Um, and then secondly, a lot of our tribal nations have to leave the reservation to, you know, again, spend their money, if you will, um whether that's groceries, you know, clothing, um, other various forms of merchandise. Um, so I think once I share a lot of that, it enlightens them to figure out, okay, yeah, maybe he is right. Like, you know, a lot of times people earn money on the reservation, but you know, a lot of their money is unfortunately spent off the reservation. Because again, a lot of that is related to um, you know, we just don't have the infrastructure or the facilities to support that and keep the money back on the reservation.

SPEAKER_00 15:58

Yep, yep. No, man. I mean, I'm from a I'm from a border town, so I I know that exactly, right? So I mean that um, you know, the economy flows out but doesn't come back in at times, you know, and so you know, it it's um something that you know I think that you definitely you know hit it hit the nail on the head with. And then um you know, obviously where you're at and who you are definitely is kind of um a product of how you were raised and who raised you. So like who's who's some of your inspiration to like uh you know, from your parents or your grandparents, like who who kind of inspires you from that perspective?

SPEAKER_01 16:43

I definitely give a lot of credit to you know us being as Navajo. We definitely come from a matriarchal society. And so for me growing up as a kid, I was raised by my grandmas, I was raised by you know my aunts and my sisters. I'm I'm the youngest of three kids, and I have two older sisters. Um, my sisters raised me as well as my mom, obviously. Um, but just being amongst them and um really witnessing them, you know, have prosperous growth. Um, on my mother's side, they're uh true educated educators. Um, they really believe in the value of education. And so that's always been drilled in me at such a young age, but also been fortunate to witness all of their successes. You know, a lot of them became doctoral candidates, um, you know, pursued their masters. Um, so to me, growing up, education's always been, you know, the next option. It was never never a thought. It was always where what are you gonna study? What are you gonna do? Um, and then I I always like to give credit to you know my mom um for I guess kind of instilling accounting in me at a young age. I always remember as a little kid, I was very curious what she was doing. And, you know, like uh I grew up, she grew up or I grew up in the era of like checkbooks, you know, and I always remember her, you know, balancing her checkbook. And I always thought that was curious. And so, and again, just because she came from that educational background, she just allowed me, she said, yeah, go ahead, you know, like and she showed me how to do that. And I just used my calculator and and it just made sense. And so, and then with that kind of was able to um take some opportunities in high school um and take some accounting classes, which is really unique. So that kind of got my sparked, if you will, my interest in accounting, um, which was really unique because I know like talking to or just hearing the conversations from like Colleen and Hattie, I know, and I guess you too, uh, you know, you guys all had somebody in accounting and and I and I did it. No, nobody in my family was really into accounting. You know, there are they were all STEM or you know, agriculture or education.

SPEAKER_00 18:54

And so I'm kind of the outlier. Yeah, yeah. No, no. I mean, you know, kind of talk, getting a chance to talk with Hattie and Coline in our um, you know, previous episodes about you know what kind of tied them to accounting or even finance, if you will, you know. Um professionals in this field are few and far between, right? That have you know the knowledge to kind of take it at the level that it needs to be. And you know, so it's um that's why I'm really uh glad and blessed to have you on board because you know you decided to take that that challenge and that journey, and it's it's not easy, right? You know, and uh and um you know that that's something that that's awesome, and uh hopefully we can start to resonate to all those little young Marcuses running out there in the coal with just uh cowboy boots and shorts on, you know, waiting in the school bus. No, I just uh just think about that, I was laugh because uh, you know, that always kind of, you know, my my travels up to South and North Dakota or whatever, you know, it's like almost like the dead of winter. You see those little kids still standing out there with just cowboy boots and shorts, you're like, oh man, you know. I need to do now to sit there with a big old coat on and getting old. So but uh you know, that that's that's cool. Um you know, other than that, man, you know, now now being it's um Native American Heritage Month, right? And uh we really want to, you know, um put a spotlight on our professionals here that we have. And you know, what is what is that what does that mean to you? You know, what do you what do you what do you carry from Native American Heritage Months? Um I think it grew from Native American Heritage Day or something like that, you know. So what's your thoughts?

SPEAKER_01 20:44

Right. Um, you know, it's definitely a transition, right? Or I guess more or less a progress of where it's come from. Um, you know, a lot of times it's it's our history is lost, and and people forget that, you know, Native American history is American history. Um I learned that at a young age, um, just visiting, you know, like around high school, going to different parts of the country. Um, and I always remember they would ask me, you know, well, where are you from? And I'd say, you know, New Mexico, you know, and they'd be like, oh, Mexico, you know, like they'd be like, no, New Mexico, you know, we're a state. And and then the then the second half was um identifying and letting them know I was Native American, specifically Navajo. And there were still a lot of stereotypes that, you know, a lot of people associated with Native Americans. And it was really just taking the time to educate that. And and like I said, like I learned at that young age because I think, you know, both of us growing up on the reservation or in the neighboring reservations, American Indian history was taught. It was talked about, you know, we talked about the significance of um, you know, the the trail of tears or the long walk. Uh, we talked about their impact of. Of Navajo code talkers as well as other tribes who participated in the military. Um, you know, but again, a lot of that was presented in our information. And it wasn't until later that I I learned, you know, going to grad school or going to other colleges that the that wasn't always the case in the rest of America. And so I think that portion um of uh American our American history was essentially forgotten or not taught. And so getting back to what you're asking, I think we're going back, we're going in the right direction in the sense of, you know, obviously acknowledging uh Native American History Month, um, but also, you know, encouraging a lot of people to take the time to understand exactly the significant impact, you know, and and I always like to say, you know, unfortunately, America has a dirty past, but they also have a past that, you know, is not taught. And a lot of that is, you know, related to uh American Indians and Native Americans, um, as well as a lot of other uh minority groups. And so taking this step and acknowledging the history, you know, yes, it's great that we're acknowledging this and um, you know, recognizing finally, you know, a lot of the history or the past. Um, but you know, it's taking some different stances, um, not just you know, the learning stance. And I'll give the example, you know, recently uh President Biden just issued a national apology, you know, to a lot of the um those affected, you know, my grandparents came from a boarding school. Um, my parents as well attended a boarding school. And it was taking that acknowledgement and that national apology. You know, he is one of the only presidents that has issued a national apology in regards to a lot of that and what had happened. And those of you who are listeners not as familiar, you know, I definitely would encourage you to understand, you know, a lot of these acts that happened. You know, there was a boarding school act for around Native Americans where they were removed from their families and kind of and with the intention to, you know, essentially assimilate thus to uh become American, you know, or as they say American. Um, but you know, really there's a lot of bad history that we've had um that I guess more or less doesn't like to get talked about. And and nobody wants to talk about that. But like I said, um I do think we're going in a progressive way to finally, you know, acknowledge that yes, Native Americans went through a lot of things, but at the same time continuing to educate ourselves about all this, all that history.

SPEAKER_00 24:47

No, no, you're right. Um that was that was uh that was actually pretty cool, you know, to have you know Biden go up there to do that. You know, I remember you know kind of checking it out on uh YouTube or whatever on the interwebs, you know, and that was pretty cool. And so Yeah, and he was just south of here and down in Gila River. Yeah, yeah, you're right, you're right, right. So well, you know, Marcus, um, you know, once again, really just want to say, you know, yeah, I know that you know you're a busy man, like to call, like I said, I call you the most interesting man in Indian country, you know, you're always running around, do your thing. And um uh glad you found some time to you know um give everyone up. Like I said, you know, in our discussion earlier, like you know, let the world know who you are. You know, we got one subscriber in Germany, so no.

SPEAKER_01 25:36

Hopefully I can get you some in the Philippines this one. Yeah, right. Oh, yeah.

SPEAKER_00 25:40

Your your travels are taking you to the Philippines. Why don't you describe that a little bit?

SPEAKER_01 25:43

How you know Yeah. So part of our firm, we do do a little bit of outsourcing with our firm um that we're a part of. And so uh we have about roughly 25 employees out and located in the Philippines. Um, so I'm very fortunate that I was selected as one of the teams to go out there and we're gonna do some annual training with our team just to continue updating them on some of the information. Um, of course, you know, technical knowledge, but also I like I'm actually gonna bring a perspective of um talking a little bit more about our national tribal practice and kind of giving a better understanding of who our clientele is. Obviously, being a Native American, that's something of significance to us, and we want to continue to educate them on, you know, just like I talked about, you know, talking about the repercussions, the history, and kind of getting a better understanding of who our clients are. Um yeah, yeah, no, no, that's awesome, dude.

SPEAKER_00 26:38

Well, I'm gonna go ahead and let you go and get back to writing those findings. I was kidding. No, but um really appreciate your time, Marcus, and um, you know, hoping all the best for you. And I know that, you know, with your mindset and your you know, your your vision for your future is nothing but you know uh positive things, man. And so no, I'm gonna go ahead and sign off here by saying you know, once again, Marcus, yeah, thank you, Che, and um we'll connect soon.

SPEAKER_01 27:10

Yeah, yeah, thank you again for the opportunity, Wes. And just appreciate you and all you do, and you know, appreciate your leadership with our firm. And definitely, you know, we always tell you you're my nut ani, which in Navajo means my leader. So it's true. So definitely appreciate all that you do.

SPEAKER_00 27:29

Uh no problem. Yeah. Oh and you know, one last thing in Mark Marcus, yeah, and you know, for for everybody out there that, you know, is listening today, please subscribe because we're always bringing on new members, new team members, learning their journey, uh bringing on great topics for you to listen into. And we're getting to kick back in with getting things rolling again with our podcast, so be on the lookout.