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Rene Pierre, a Get Out the Vote volunteer, drives voters to polls in Pablo, Mont., in a Salish Kootenai College van.Reznet Photo by Alyssa Kelly

On Flathead Reservation, 'I Voted' Stickers

By Alyssa Kelly

PABLO, Mont.—Although gloomy rain drizzled over the Flathead Indian Reservation, hopes were high during the final moments leading to Montana's 2008 presidential election.

From tribal home sites to voting booths, Native American voters found this year's election particularly important. "This is the first election there's someone to pick from," said longtime voter William Noel.

Noel, a Navajo-Salish member who wore his "I Voted" sticker, said he had a particular issue he hopes the next president addresses. "I think the Indian Child Welfare Act needs to be enforced," he said. "Right now, (the state) is ignoring it completely and that's stomping on tribal sovereignty."

The Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes' Get Out the Vote campaign has been working tirelessly to ensure Native voters have a voice in this year's election.

Weeks of Events

Weeks leading to the election, Get Out the Vote hung reminders on numerous doorknobs throughout the reservation and created several radio and newsprint advertisements. The group also hosted several voter registration events and booths throughout the community.

Long before sunrise on election morning, Get Out the Vote began transporting voters to and from the polling stations. By traveling to several homes or businesses throughout the reservation, Get Out the Vote's coordinator Jason Smith hopes the state's overall Native voting population will have a high turnout.

Among many voters to take advantage of the Get Out the Vote's free transportation was first-time voter and Two Eagle River School student Charles Schall.

"I'm voting to make sure McCain doesn't win," said the Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribal member. "One vote might not be much, but it's still having a say."

'A Huge Step Forward'

Montana's Democratic Party did its part to promote the Native vote as well. Confederated Salish and Kootenai member Joyce Silverthorne has been actively involved with the party's Get Out the Indian Vote campaign efforts.

"It's important that Native people vote because we have a direct connection to the federal government on sovereign terms," Silverthorne said. "Now more than ever, I'm seeing Native people getting involved and I think that is a huge step forward."

With the help of several volunteers, Silverthorne organized free meals for voters in two locations on Election Day. Serving frybread and chili, Silverthorne hoped the meals would encourage people to vote.

"In the past few elections, serving free meals for voters actually worked on the Blackfeet Reservation and that's where we got the idea," Silverthorne said. "We really want to thank our people for taking the time to vote and what better way to say thanks than free food?"

Alyssa Kelly, Pend d'Oreille, attends Salish Kootenai College in Pablo, Mont. She is a former reporter for the Char-koosta, the tribal newspaper of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes on the Flathead Indian Reservation.

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