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Celebrating tradition this Native American Heritage Month

Inclusion & Diversity

To honor Native American Heritage Month, our Maxton Employee Resource Group (M.E.R.G.) and the Lumbee Tribe hosted their sixth annual Smudging Ceremony.

Located near our Maxton plant, the Lumbee Tribe is North Carolina’s largest state-recognized tribe and is made up of nearly 55,000 members of Siouan-, Algonquian-, and Iroquoian-speaking tribes. Nearly 300 of our Maxton employees identify as Native American, and we’re proud to continue this Maxton tradition of celebrating Native American culture.

What is a Smudging Ceremony?

The Smudging Ceremony is an ancient custom of Native American and other indigenous cultures. Smudging calls on the spirits of sacred plants—in this instance sage—to drive away negative energies and restore balance. During a ceremony, it clears negative thoughts or feelings from the environment and people.

During this year’s event, one tribe member played a Native American flute while another went around the circle of participants with a smudging stick and allowed the smoke, created from burning sage, to cover them. The ceremony closed with another tribe member singing a song of thanks.

My husband is a member of the Lumbee Tribe, so I appreciate getting the opportunity to participate in the Smudging Ceremony which is a special custom that’s important to his culture and heritage. 

– Jamie Woodell, Senior Manager, Human Resources, Maxton Plant
Smudging Ceremony at our Maxton plant

I think one of the most rewarding things we have accomplished at Maxton has been creating the Maxton Employee Resource Group. Not only does it make us stronger as a site but it allows us to celebrate these rich, deep rooted cultures together!

– Dennie McLaughlin, Aseptic Operations Leader, Maxton Plant

Thank you to the members of M.E.R.G. for organizing and continuing this tradition to commemorate Native American Heritage Month and providing the opportunity for our colleagues to learn about this culture.

Inclusion and Diversity are key to building a winning team and culture at Campbell, and we’re committed to creating a workplace where all our employees can be real, and feel safe, valued, and supported to reach their full growth potential.

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