National Native American Heritage Month Profiles: Kota Aranda

Throughout National Native American Heritage Month, the AFL-CIO will be profiling leaders and activists to spotlight the diverse contributions Native Americans have made to the labor movement and toward expanding the rights of working people. Today’s profile features Kota Aranda of the Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE).

Kota Aranda has worked as a camera and lens technician since joining IATSE Local 600 in 2020 and enjoys amplifying diverse voices through Local 600’s BIPOC group in Atlanta. “My proudest moment was seeing my name in the credits of my first full run,” Aranda said. “That was a really rewarding experience. It’s just a name with a long list of others but to me that name in the credits represents the early mornings, late nights, long days, hard work and perseverance that it took to get the job done.”