Our Native voter engagement, empowerment, protection, and rights work is made possible with the generous support, strong partnerships, and deep friendships of Tribes across the country.
Tribal Acknowledgements
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
We give special recognition to the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, which has consistently supported the advancement of Native voting rights for all Tribes. The late Chairman Stanley Crooks was well known for his generosity and kindness, but few are aware of his commitment to protecting the voting rights of the Great Plains Tribal members in particular.
Because of his vast knowledge of treaties and sovereignty, he had the foresight to build up a Tribal voting bloc to protect our rights. From helping open satellite voting offices across Indian Country to supporting landmark litigation concerning equal access to the ballot box, Chairman Crooks advanced equality for Native voters nationwide. If not for the participation of Chairman Crooks and the entire Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, none of this would have happened. We are honored to have been able to help implement our shared commitment to Indian Country.
LYTTON BAND OF POMO INDIANS
We also want to recognize the Lytton Band of Pomo Indians. As Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is what are you doing for others.” That is a question that Chairperson Margie Mejia and the members of Lytton Rancheria have answered repeatedly with empathy and compassion, whether they are helping those with inadequate health care or securing that right which we enjoy as citizens and which empowers all of our remaining rights — the right to vote. Time and again, Chairperson Mejia answered the call to assist the Wandering Medicine plaintiffs and the leaders of Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho Tribes as they worked to secure voting rights for all Native Americans. It should be remembered that it does not matter what we expect from life but rather what life expects from us. We are all questioned by life — daily and hourly. The answer from Chairperson Mejia has always been one of a gift — right action and right conduct.