First Americans
Related: About this forumDine leader is using horses to bring 'the greatest Native turnout ever' to the polls
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/oct/12/dine-navajo-horses-ride-to-the-pollsThis Diné leader is using horses to bring the greatest Native turnout ever to the polls
Allie Young, 34, started the Ride to the Polls campaign in 2020 to register new voters in person and online
Melissa Hellmann
Sat 12 Oct 2024 07.00 EDT
In Diné, or Navajo, culture, the horse symbolizes strength and resilience, as well as a connection to the earth. Cowboy culture is so relevant to Native communities, that horseback trail rides are used to draw awareness to issues within the community including suicide prevention, and alcohol and drug use, said Allie Young, a 34-year-old Diné grassroots organizer. This fall, Young has harnessed the trail ride to engage Diné voters for the presidential election: her groups voter-registration events will culminate with 100 Indigenous voters riding on horseback to a polling station in Arizona on election day.
When one mounts a horse and is in rhythm with the horse, that reconnection happens, Young, founder of the Indigenous-led civic engagement program Protect the Sacred, told the Guardian. So when were connected with the horse, were then reconnected to Mother Earth and reminded of our cultural values and what were fighting for, what were protecting.
Native American turnout is especially critical in the upcoming election, when tribal sovereignty could be threatened by the conservative blueprint Project 2025, which states that fossil fuel drilling should be facilitated on tribal lands. Political representation that brings needed resources into Native communities is particularly important on tribal lands, where 75% of roads remain unpaved. In part due to Youngs advocacy, Native American voters are credited with flipping the historically red state of Arizona to Democrat during the 2020 election. That year, up to 90% of the roughly 67,000 eligible voters in the Navajo Nation voted for Joe Biden, according to data.
Young said she hopes that the success of the Ride to the Polls campaign in 2020 and 2022 will encourage the greatest Native turnout ever in the upcoming election. This year, the campaign has extended its reach with events such as skateboarding and bull-riding competitions, heavy metal and country music concerts.
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surfered
(3,721 posts)Also Im hoping Native Americans will help Tester in Montana
ananda
(30,930 posts)All Republicans want to do is destroy
Lonestarblue
(11,982 posts)Botany
(72,654 posts)Last edited Sat Oct 12, 2024, 02:08 PM - Edit history (1)
"In the Footsteps of Our Ancestors" 1 million acres*, Chaco Canyon New Mexico, restoring
the native salmon waters in the Pacific Northwest, Deb Haalaand Sec. of Interior, and so
much more. The man has been transformational in so many ways.
It would be nice to see Coach Walz ride along with them.
*
Clouds Passing
(2,695 posts)Joe has done a beautiful thing appointing Deb.
Botany
(72,654 posts)I imagine that being Sec. of Interior and doing a good job is really hard and I would
understand if she needed a break too.
dobleremolque
(919 posts)Diné bizaad (the people's language) for "Thank you!"
PortTack
(34,829 posts)et tu
(1,894 posts)step by step, closer....
BadgerMom
(2,990 posts)Below is his link on Act Blue.
He is a former president of the Navajo Nation. He would be a great addition to the House. His Republican opponent is well-funded.
In 2020, I wrote postcards for swing states, but my friend phone banked the reservation. She heard many stories about how difficult voting was there and how little understood their situation was by outsiders. When I read about Mr. Nezs plan to run, I was excited. He must understand the challenges voters in this district face. Ive been supporting his campaign ever since. And the efforts described in this OP seem so focused.
https://secure.actblue.com/donate/nez-search-2024
Botany
(72,654 posts)Butterflylady
(4,010 posts)Native people treated so unfair. They were promised that each time that it was the last time they were pushed farther west. These people were treated horribly.