Arizona Native Vote Fellowship Builds Community

Nanabah Rockbridge is a proud citizen of Navajo Nation and a student at Diné College. She is working towards a degree in education. One thing she loves about her community is the priority placed on core values like honor and a strong sense of K’é–Navajo Clanship and Kinship. These values are part of the reason she was excited to participate in Arizona Native Vote's civic fellowship.  

Our college fellows learn how to organize their communities and then put those skills to work educating community members about the issues they care about, the importance of voting, and helping people register to vote and check their voter registration status.  

“It can be hard to get involved if you don’t know how, but the Arizona Native Vote fellowship helped me build my confidence talking to people about why voting matters.” Nanabah likes that the organization is non-partisan because she can be flexible with her conversations and can stay focused on what brings people together. She sees voting as a way to open the door and allows folks to share their opinions with fear or retribution. 

“Sometimes people my age will see content online that makes them feel unsafe about sharing their opinion or speaking up. If there’s one thing this fellowship taught me it’s that it’s OK to ask questions and that you share what you think and discuss. The fellowship taught me a lot about myself and how I can help others.”

The Arizona Native Vote Civic Fellowship is one example of our year-round dynamic programming efforts that are making a difference in people's lives. Regular and consistent engagement is needed to help us stay connected with our younger relatives. Our fellowship, and other programs, are only possible because of your generous support. Donors like you are making a tremendous impact in Arizona and are strengthening our democracy. That’s why on this Giving Tuesday I’m asking you to help us reach our fundraising goal of $25,000 so we’re in a strong position to keep doing this crucial work. Training new leaders like Nanabah is crucial to building the civic infrastructure we need to ensure that every Indigenous and rural voter is empowered to successfully cast a ballot during next year’s midterm elections.

On behalf of the Arizona Native Vote team, thank you for being a key part of our success.

Ahé’hee’

Jaynie Parrish, Navajo Nation

President, Arizona Native Vote