American Indian Advocacy: Strengthening Tribal Soverignty

Historically the American Indian has faced many hurdles and challenges when it comes to accessing the ballot box. This podcast series explores the problems that lack of access presents, and solutions that make voting more accessible in Indian Country. This second broadcast covering the topic of voting rights in Indian Country features Chuck Hoskin, Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, and a national leader on Indigenous Rights.

Thunderbird Strategic's Lycia Maddocks interviews Jacqueline De León, Staff Attorney of the Native American Rights Fund, and citizen of the Pueblo of Isleta.  The discussion centers around voting rights for the American Indian voter, and the Native American Voting Rights Act of 2021.

How far does tribal sovereignty extend when it comes to law enforcement, the identification of crimes, protection of the community, and integrity of tribal governance.  The facts of the case now before the Supreme Court in US v. Cooley exposes the Court to a complicated and confusing web of federal law and case law when in comes to inherent sovereign powers.  The episode speaks to this complicated legal backdrop in the context of a Tribe's ability to exercise sovereign authority.

As Congress begins its work, what's in it for Indian Country? Pandemic Relief has been leading congressional activity in 2021... so what does Congress have in store for Tribal communities? The new Administration has promised better relations with Indian Country, and evidence emerges showing that to be true. And finally, what should the 117th Congress be looking to address, which meets the needs of Indian Country? This episode touches on all these important topics.

In a response to enormous voter turnout in the 2020 general election, that in part has been fueled by the loud but baseless cry of voter fraud and election irregularities, state legislators across the country have introduced hundreds of bills that impact access to the ballot box… some restrictive and many expansive.  So far this year, 165 restrictive bills have been filed in in 33 states, over 4x the number of restrictive bills at this same time last year.  In 2020, at about the same time last year, only 35 such bills were introduced in 15 states.  Now on the other side of this issue, to date 35 states have introduced 541 bills that would expand voting access, compared to only 118 expansive bill filed in 29 states last year.  For the legislation that has been filed, it's clear that there is a great interest in absentee voting reform, with more than a quarter of voting and election bills addressing absentee voting procedures. 

With the new incoming Administration, there is new hope that Indian Country needs will be properly addressed. The new Administration has pledged a commitment to Indian Country, and knowing and understanding the pledges is important to Tribal leaders and advocates as this Administration's agenda rolls out. It will be important to hold the Administration to its promises, and in doing so, Tribal sovereignty will be strengthened. This episode will summarize the Biden-Harris Administration promises to Indian County.

In order to effectuate meaningful and lasting change, voices of concern must be heard. For the American Indian, all too often, tribal issues and concerns have been an afterthought. This country needs to honor its treaty and trust responsibilities to Tribal Nations, and American Indian advocacy must play the role of ensuring voices are heard, and holding the United States accountable for its obligations to Indian Country... and when it fails to do so, disastrous things can occur to indigenous communities.