FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Local voting rights leader launches new non-profit, Arizona Native Vote, to reach Arizona Indigenous communities

Jaynie Parrish, Navajo Nation, Arizona Native Vote Executive Director

Kayenta, AZ, June 05, 2023 – Arizona Native Vote Executive Director Jaynie Parrish today proudly announces the launch of Arizona Native Vote, a new 501c3 non-profit non-partisan grassroots organization aimed at increasing voter education, registration, civic engagement, and outreach in rural and tribal communities. 

Tribal and rural communities are key voting blocs in every election and Arizona Native Vote will make a significant investment on a year-round basis and prioritize communities that have not traditionally been served. 

Arizona Native Vote hires and trains local community organizers on and off tribal lands from the Navajo Nation, Hopi, and White Mountain Apache Tribe, Holbrook, Winslow and other bordertown communities across northeastern Arizona. The organizers provide voter education sessions to schools, community centers, and where they are called upon to assist community members. In addition to general voter education outreach, a core component of their work will center on providing community service and aid. Several free community service projects and workshops are planned for 2023 and 2024.  

Organizers in 2023 will provide trusted information to voters about 2022 election results and how voters made a difference in all aspects of tribal, county, state, and federal governance systems. Leading up to the 2024 election, organizers will team up to help community members stay informed about local issues, the voter registration processes, obtain proper voter identification, lead high school classroom and community presentations, and staff community events.

“Arizona Native Vote will help keep voters informed and engaged year-round. We want community members to understand how their vote really can make a difference, to see the direct connection and impact of their vote and participation on their daily lives. Having a more informed electorate is critical to increasing civic engagement, voter registration, and turnout across our region and state,” Parrish said. 

The 2020 and 2022 elections in Navajo and Apache counties showed that local and relational organizing is extremely effective, especially when led by folks from that community. Arizona Native Vote’s work will first center on communities in northeastern Arizona, in Navajo, Apache and Coconino Counties, and will then work to partner with other non-profits and grassroots organizing networks throughout the state.

“We have 22 tribal nations in our state: we can do more together. Especially when voter rights, education, outreach, and engagement are at the center of our democracy. I’m excited to connect with other organizations, leaders, students, and families to get to work. I also can’t wait to hire more folks. Arizona Native Vote will be able to provide good jobs in areas where employment opportunities are sorely needed, and at a livable wage.” said Parrish. 

Arizona Native Vote organizers will show their families and larger community members how to register to vote, provide information to community members on the process, and encourage them to get to know their elected leaders and what they do. Understanding how governing systems work and knowing what each elected office is responsible for is important, especially for voters in need of constituent services. To accomplish these goals, community members will receive education and training presentations on Native American voting rights; tribal, state, and federal civics lessons; relational organizing; and strategies customized for their communities. 

“Arizona Native Vote builds on the critical work that we’ve been at for years, making sure that Navajo and other tribes are being heard and shaping our future,” said Navajo community leader Rosiland Zah. “This is on the ground representation and a model for making sure our voices always count.”

And Native Forward, Board Chair, Holly Cook Macarro, Red Lake Ojibwe, said it wasn’t many years ago that Native voters were not legally allowed to vote. “Now we have organizations like Arizona Native Vote who are building on the work of those who have come before and are expanding our voting power,” she said. “This work is critical, especially in Arizona, so tribal communities have a say on all of the issues that impact our lives. Arizona Native Vote brings us all together to do just that.”

2023 Firekeepers gathering in Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ.

Arizona Native Vote is 501(c)(3) an independent grassroots organization formed to advance educational, charitable, and community goals by increasing civic engagement and election participation in tribal and rural communities.

Arizona Native Vote Photos: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1lD_EO5riJZLJ93HZhOVLzZTpay8u3JOl?usp=sharing 

For questions contact: 

Lorraine Coin

Arizona Native Vote

Phone 602-785-4207
Email info@arizonanativevote.org

Website https://arizonanativevote.org/