A weekly series, Connect! Unite! Act! seeks to create face-to-face networks in each congressional district. Groups regularly socialize but also get out the vote, support candidates and engage in other local political actions that help our progressive movement grow and exert influence on the powers-that-be. Visit us at Daily Kos every Sunday morning at 7:30 A.M. Pacific Time to see how you can get involved.
Over the last few years, I’ve heard more people on the right and even a few on the left, decry the concept of politics that talk about identity and community value. Those who really despise it attack it simply as “identity politics.” It is used as a way to dismiss community values and experiences, unique needs and to shift discussion by saying that needs are homogeneous — as though the American experience could be pasteurized and made uniform.
A large number of people in our country will tell you that their life experiences, community needs, and unique histories can’t be boiled down to a laundry list that can be relayed to others so easily. It is, in fact, the diverse life experiences, community history, and developed value systems that give you a perspective that needs a voice.
This week in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Daily Kos (myself and Neeta Lind) attended the first annual Native Power Building Summit, a gathering to discuss the issues that impact Indian Country, as well as the need for more representation at all levels of government.
L-R: Anathea Chino with Advance Native Political Leadership Action Fund, Neeta Lind with Daily Kos, Prairie Rose Seminole with North Dakota Vote and Laura Harris with Americans for Indian Opportunity. Laura moderated this panel on How Can We Be Better Represented on National Progressive Electoral Justice Movements and Platforms
Many fantastic Native activists, leaders and organizers spoke on the need to reach out and involve more tribal members in building the representation that reflects their community.
It is easy for some of us to see our role models in politics — people who look like us and give us a belief that there is a future in politics for someone like us. For the Native community, seeing more individuals run for elected office at all levels sets an example for young people of the future — that there is a role for Native leadership, and running for federal office is normal.
Prairie Rose Seminole addresses the audience
Speaking to the audience, Prairie Rose Seminole said: “Imagine knowing that young girls can look up and see two powerful women run for federal office and that by the time they are adults this is normal.”
And this is the part of talking about identity that so many dismiss but is so vitally important. We build our shared social story, all of us, based on how we see our opportunities for people who come from our community.
Barrier-breaking can become a profound part of our shared social story. It is more than a check mark as an item accomplished on a list. It is an accomplishment that says: this is something that can be done.
“Can you imagine electing to the US Congress two Native women?” was a frequent statement. “Can you imagine electing a Native Governor (Idaho) and Lt. Gov (Minnesota)?” Not just for the policies they advocate, but for the opportunities it opens up for the future.
Daily Kos has partnered with Advance Native Political Leadership to support the strategic, thoughtful and historic leap into affirming the resilience of Indigenous people and placing them into the future as elected leaders and political operatives.
This was an important event to connect current Native leaders and organizers.
This series, Connect! Unite! Act! focuses on how we bring our communities together. Sometimes we will take part in action. Sometimes, we are connecting groups together in our shared fight. In other cases, we are offered an opportunity to be welcomed in to connect and unite with our friends.
L-R: Theresa Sheldon, Charlotte Little and PaaWee Rivera
L-R: Heidi Mitchell with ActBlue and Kevin Killer, South Dakota Senator and Co-founder of Advance Native Political Leadership
What’s Next?
You know, I only really disappear one day a year, that being my birthday next weekend (15th). But one day of rest doesn’t slow up the work of our community goals. And next week I will be talking about our planned trip to Minnesota’s second congressional district, along with travels to South Dakota to help turn out the vote in those districts, working with activists and party leaders to highlight the work of our community and others in helping to win some elections this fall.
What’s your plan this week?
Our CUA team is here to provide support and guidance to new and existing volunteer leaders of each regional and state group, helping them with recruiting, organizing and executing social and action events. We invite you to join in this effort to build our community. There are many ways to pitch in. If there isn't a group to join near you, please start one.
What are you working on in your local area
to move our progressive agenda along?
