100 Year Anniversary of the Indian Citizenship Act & Securing Our Right to Vote
Photo: Shavaughn Titla, Miss White Mountain Apache Queen
Celebrating our ancestors' legacy
We were not considered citizens in our own country until the 1924 Citizenship Act and then gaining the right to vote took even longer. Now in 2024, we are still fighting to make sure our communities have equal and fair access to the ballot box.
To commemorate the work of early organizers who fought for our right to vote the Arizona Native Vote Ndee Voter Empowerment Program organized an incredible event in Whiteriver, AZ, White Mountain Apache tribal lands, to raise awareness about Native American voting rights. Organizers help community members check their voter registration status, make any updates, and connect with young voters and first time voters.
Local legendary band–Apache Spirit–energized the crowd, while families enjoyed food prepared by Apache cook Elsie Naranjo. Featured speaker Shavaughn Titla, Miss White Mountain Apache Queen, rallied community members to use their voice and vote to help increase Indigenous representation and to protect our communities.
Photo: Arizona Native Vote Ndee Voter Empowerment Program with Miss White Mountain Apache Queen and MC Eileen Crocker.
Jandi Craig a proud citizen of Dził Łigai Si’an Ndee –White Mountain Apache Tribe, and Xicana, is our White Mountain Field Manager. She and her team of young organizers are working this election year, and beyond, to increase voter registration and turnout in their communities.
We don't come together often enough to celebrate
From Jandi Craig (audio interview):
I really wanted the community to know that their vote and their voice matters. Sometimes it's hard to remember that, you know, when we start worrying about our basic needs or we get stressed out about work, school, or money and sometimes voting is the last thing on our minds.
For some, voting may not seem like it's that important, but what we do is show how voting and being civically engaged can actually impact our daily lives, Like the amount of money we get in our paychecks, policies that impact the water that we drink, the leaders we elect, and our overall day to day environment. Voting can impact our schools and affects funding for our children and so much more. So I really wanted to remind the community about these things. We don't talk about it often enough.
Today, was a good opportunity to set up here in town, on a busy day, feed folks, have fun, and remind people why we need to register to vote and to vote.
It was a pretty good turnout. We had well over 100 people who came up to our booth who were asking questions and we're checking their registration. A lot of people were surprised to find that their registration wasn't active. So, we helped them check that out and get updated. And then there were some people who were glad that we were here talking about voting and they wanted to support us. Some asked when our next event is and asking how they can get involved.
We made contact with the tribal youth council and they're interested in getting trained help others register to vote. It was a pretty good day.
Plus, we wanted to set aside time for our community to gather in joy. I think that's really an important part of this work too because sometimes we forget. A lot of times the community will all come together, but most of the time it's for something sad or something bad happens in the community. We don't come together often enough to celebrate.
So it was really sweet to have one of our most famous bands come out and play for us today. We saw families coming out and dancing, we saw families sitting together, enjoying the music. They just hung out for the whole event to be here and be a part of something happy and fun in the community. So, I'm really glad that we were able to provide that today.
Invest in tribal and rural communities
To reach our goal of increased voter education and engagement in tribal and rural communities requires year-round investment. Our Firekeepers have been on the ground since May of 2023 and as of May of 2024 we now have a full team of organizers dedicated to connecting with voters in our region.
We know that on-the-ground efforts are moved forward more successfully by individuals from within that community, rather than outside entities. That is why we hire and train local organizers who know the issues affecting them. They are the experts. It’s a great feeling when community members get to see, hear, learn, and be in joy with local organizers and Firekeepers from their communities.
