As Native Americans across the U.S. come together on Monday for Indigenous Peoples Day to celebrate their history and culture and acknowledge the ongoing challenges they face, many will do so with a focus on the election.
From a voting rally in Minneapolis featuring food, games and raffles to a public talk about the Native vote at Virginia Tech, the holiday, which comes about three weeks before Election Day, will feature a wide array of events geared toward Native voter mobilization and outreach amid a strong recognition of the power of their votes.
In 2020, Native voters proved decisive in the presidential election. Voter turnout on tribal land in Arizona increased dramatically compared with the previous presidential election, helping Joe Biden win a state that hadn’t supported a Democratic candidate in a White House contest since 1996.
This year, it’s especially important to mobilize Native voters because the country is selecting the president. Native people are not a monolith in terms of how they vote, but the focus is on encouraging them to exercise their right to vote.
In Arizona, a town hall called “Democracy Is Indigenous: Power Of The Native Vote” will be held on Indigenous Peoples Day, featuring speakers, performances, and Indigenous artwork centered on democracy. In Apex, North Carolina, an event is planned to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 and provide nonpartisan voter information and giveaways.
While not a federal holiday, Indigenous Peoples Day is observed by 17 states, including Washington, South Dakota, and Maine, as well as Washington, D.C. It typically takes place on the second Monday in October, which coincides with the Columbus Day federal holiday.
