Reznet

Time for Natives to Flex Political Muscles

By Kevin Abourezk

Never in my lifetime.

It's a phrase we've all heard often by people describing this year's presidential election.

"Never in my lifetime did I think I would see this country elect its first black president."

"Never in my lifetime did I think I would see a woman elected vice president."

Let me add yet another "never in my lifetime": "Never in my lifetime did I think I would see so much focus on the Native American vote."

Maybe it's too soon to pronounce this election's Native voter registration efforts a success. But as I await this country's verdict on the next four years, I can't help but feel proud to have watched so many work so hard to get Indians out to vote and enlist Native candidates.

And I feel obligated to encourage more Natives to get out and vote.

Let's not waste the efforts of leaders such as Jacqueline Johnson Pata of the National Congress of American Indians and Kayln Free of INDN's List to get Natives registered to vote and Native politicians on the ballots.

Johnson Pata said in a news release Monday that Native voters in Alaska, Arizona and Wisconsin - states with significant Native populations - have the opportunity to swing important state elections. They also could swing the presidential election in swing states such as Colorado, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico and North Dakota - states the NCAI has targeted as part of its Native Vote Campaign.

"Over the last year, the presidential candidates have paid particular attention to Native American voters and tribal needs in hopes to gain support, and now the day has come for Native voters to engage in democracy and do their civic duty," Johnson Pata said. "We're anticipating a strong Native turnout."

Native Vote staff are working with the campaign's state leaders and community organizers to ensure young and old Native voters make it to the polls Tuesday, Johnson Pata said.

And in anticipation of minor voting problems, NCAI has created a toll-free election protection number.

In recent elections, Native voters have encountered efforts to deny them access to the polls and Native language assistance, interference from partisan poll monitors and unwillingness to accept tribal government identification cards as a form of ID.

Voters can also call the hotline if their polling location opens late or closes early, if there are not enough ballots or if a vote was challenged for any reason.

The number, 1-866-OUR-VOTE, is a volunteer-based, non-partisan voting rights helpline designed to assist Native voters if they experience difficulties with voting. For more information, visit www.866ourvote.org.

Let's not waste these precious efforts and fail to flex our political muscle across the country Tuesday, showing our nation's leaders that neglecting Native voters could cost them their own political survival.

Let's not allow either party take us for granted or forget their promises.

The price for failing to vote is too high and the reward too promising.

For me, the reward will be having the chance to say on Wednesday: "Never in my lifetime did I think I would see Native voters decide a presidential election."

Kevin Abourezk's "Red Clout" columns are available for syndication. Please contact reznet to purchase republishing rights.

Kevin Abourezk, Rosebud Lakota, is a reporter and editor at the Lincoln (Neb.) Journal Star. He writes reznet's "Red Clout" political blog and teaches reporting at the Freedom Forum's American Indian Journalism Institute. Abourezk was awarded a Casey Medal for Meritorious Journalism in 2006.

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