Election Coverage from a Native Perspective

The Diversity Beat Election Reports are made possible with funding from the Ford Foundation and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting through the National Minority Consortia.

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Paying Attention to the Native American Vote

Native American Students Concerned over Funding

Tribal Members Combat Migrant Border Deaths

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NAPT has partnered with National Native News to bring news reports about the issues that matter to Native American voters in U.S., state, local and tribal elections.

Download the following reports:

A Presidential Apology to Indian Country: Will President Obama give a formal apology to Native people as nations like Canada and Australia have done recently? Let us know what you think.

Cobell v. Salazar: Native American plaintiffs in a lengthy, class-action suit against the federal government say they're excited at the prospect of reaching a settlement with the new Interior Secretary, Ken Salazar.

Navajo Economic Stimulus: The massive economic stimulus bill includes nearly three billion dollars for Indian tribes; that's more than the entire current budget of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. A good chunk of that will likely go to the Navajo Nation. As Arizona Public Radio's Daniel Kraker reports, tribal leaders there are desperate for funding for basic infrastructure projects.

Daschle Named Secretary of HHS: Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) was named Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Native Voter Suppression: Voting rights advocates are calling for congressional hearings into what they say is voter suppression on the Pine Ridge and Rosebud Reservations in South Dakota.

Two Bulls Likely to Win Pine Ridge Presidency: An update on the race between Theresa Two Bulls and Russell Means for president of the Oglala Sioux Tribe.

Native Woman Elected to Statewide Office in Montana: With the election of Denise Juneau, Montana has made history by electing a Native American woman to a statewide office.

Native Response to Obama’s Victory Speech: Antonia Gonzales talks to a Native American man who attended the speech in Chicago. 

Native Response to the Election of Obama: Tristan Ahtone talks with Native people about what the election of Barack Obama means to them.

Native Vote Washington: The organization is reminding people to vote and turn in their ballots by knocking on doors, making phone calls and hosting parties.

Native Voter Turn Out: Antonia Gonzales asks if Native voters are turning out to vote.

The Native Right to Vote in New Mexico: Native Americans did not have the right to vote in New Mexico until after 1948.

Native Voters in Oklahoma: Kurt Gwartney speaks with Native Oklahoma voters.

Protecting Your Right to Vote: Find out what you should do if you feel your vote is being suppressed or if you suspect voter fraud.

Oregon Tribes Endorse Republican Senator for Re-Election: All nine Oregon tribes are endorsing Republican Gordon Smith over Democratic challenger Jeff Merkley.

Obama v. McCain: Danielle Kaeding asks which of the candidates will be best for Indian Country and most sympathetic to Native American issues.

Over 80% Native Support for Obama in National Poll: A recently released poll by a non-partisan organization shows presidential candidate Barack Obama has a large lead among Native voters.

Russell Means Runs for Pine Ridge Presidency: Means is campaigning to be a part of the system he criticized when he called on tribal members to form an independent Lakota Nation.

Native Voters in Montana: Emilie Ritter reports on efforts in Montana to reach out to Native voters. [ Web Extra: Barack Obama Speaking at Crow Agency ]

Early Voting in Zuni: Antonia Gonzales looks at early voting at Zuni Pueblo in New Mexico.

Native Voters in North Dakota: Tristan Ahtone looks at the possible impact of the Native vote in North Dakota.

Native Rock the Vote: Recently, Native college students held an event in Colorado.

Early Voting, But Not on the Rez: Why voting rights advocates in South Dakota are crying foul.

McCain Rally in New Mexico: Tristan Ahtone reports on a McCain rally in New Mexico.

Obama Rally in New Mexico: Elaine Baumgartel from KUMN radio covers an Obama rally in Albuquerque.

Native Voters in South Dakota: Reporter Charles Michael Ray speaks with Pine Ridge residents about their vote.

Tribal Economies and the Election: A look at the impact the current economic crisis will have on tribal economies and how that is affecting the upcoming elections.

Palin Addresses AFN: Listen to a recent speech given to the Alaska Federation of Natives from Republican vice presidential candidate and Alaska governor Sarah Palin.

Pine Ridge Presidential Race: Reporter Charles Michael Ray talks with voters on the Pine Ridge Reservation about who they're supporting and why.

A Look at Arizona's First Congressional District: This report looks at Arizona's First and the impact that the large Native population has on the elections.

Laguna Voters: Antonia Gonzales speaks with voters at Laguna Pueblo about who they plan to vote for in November.

Native Lobbyist Backs McCain: A report by Brian Bull on Native American Lobbyist Aurene Martin.

Presidential Candidates and NCAI: Tristan Ahtone talks with a National Congress of American Indians staff member about the presidential election.

Native American Post-Debate Views: Antonia Gonzales speaks with Native American voters about how they reacted to the various debates.

Jemez Voters: Antonia Gonzales speaks with Jemez voters about the issues that matter to them.

Colorado Native Voters Speak Up: Native voters in Denver want presidential candidates to focus on issues impacting tribes.

IAIA Encourages Students to Vote: Tristan Ahtone reports on an event at The Institute of American Indian Art.

Campaigns Reach Out to Native Voters in Wisconsin: Chuck Quirmbach takes a look at how the two campaigns are perceived by Native voters in the battleground state of Wisconsin.

Natives for Hillary: Antonia Gonzales speaks with a Native voter who was hoping to vote for Senator Hillary Clinton in November.

Pine Ridge Presidential Primary: Russell Means, state Senator Teresa Two Bulls, incumbent President John Yellow Bird Steele and others compete for the two spots in the general election.

Zuni Voters: Antonia Gonzales speaks with Zuni voters about the issues that matter to them including the economic issues that impact Native American artists.

The Race for Governor in Washington State: This year Native American voters are expected to play a large role in the Washington gubernatorial race.

Native Voters in Gallup: Antonia Gonzales speaks with Native American voters in Gallup, New Mexico.

Newly Registered Native Voter: Tristan Ahtone talks with a newly registered Apache voter.

ShipROCK the Vote: Registering voters on the Navajo Nation.

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Education Issues Weigh on Tribal Voters in South Dakota, Montana: With sizeable populations in the last two states to vote in the Democratic primary, Native American voters have emerged as a highly sought-after voting bloc ahead of Tuesday's voting in Montana and South Dakota.

Tribe Divided Over Providing Water to Illegal Migrants Crossing Indian Land: Tohono O'odham tribal members Mike Wilson and David Garcia were ordered by tribal official Veronica Harvey to take down water stations for migrants passing through Tohono O'odham reservation on the Arizona-Mexico border.