Explain what this case tells us about cultural sensitivity

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Reference no: EM133901558

Assignment:

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 for the firs 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 an orientation meeting, two other employees ask Akiak if his name meant kayak in Eskimo language and the asked if his favorite sports were fishing and trapping. 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. And also, we had a first-rate hockey rink in town, so I got to love hockey and I am also a Minnesota Viking fan. That's why I took this job in Minnesota."

During lunch, Mary, another new employee asked the folllowing:

"Tell me Akiak, are you an Eskimo? Or are you an Inuit? I don't want to make a mistake."

Akiak responded, "It is no mistake to call me an Eskimo. It is no mistake to call me an Intuit. Some people think that the term Eskimo is wrong, and that we should be called Intuit. It doesn't matter to me or 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 McDonalds."

"I'm sorry," said Mary. "I was 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 of Akiak. I wish he would show us how he positions his arm, head, and body to spear a fish."

Akiak says with sarcasm, "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."

Discussion Prompt

Explain what this case tells us about cultural sensitivity.
Explain in detail how might Akiak's coworkers have related better to him during the orientation?
Explain in detail how might Akiak have done a better job of relating to his new coworkers so far?
Explain whether Akiak has an attitude (meaning a negative attitude problem)?

Reference no: EM133901558

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