Why all of your Aunties should vote for Me

The new and improved leader

There’s a difference between voting for the people you like, versus voting for the people who are right. When I say right, I mean right for the job.

 The last time I ran and won, I was the most liked. However, in all honesty, I probably wasn’t the right person for the job given my maturity, level of compassion and professionalism.  This time around is different,  I’ve worked on these things for the past few years and now, not only do I hope to be the most liked once again,  I know without a doubt, I’m the right person.

 True leadership isn’t easy. My cousin Donnie Arnold, who is a former Chairman of 20 plus years and pillar in the Native community once told me the following:

 If you want to be a true leader for your Tribe you need four things: An open mind. A big heart. Thick skin. And last but certainly not least an iron fist. An open mind to always be ready to innovate and see the next big thing. A big heart to love your people. Thick skin to let the criticism bounce right off you and an iron fist to destroy your enemies when you have to.

 He probably saved me 10 or so years of searching for a baseline of great attributes to build on. This is a great system. If you can fulfill 90 percent of what my cousin Donnie’s advice covers, you will be golden.

 I had all of qualities the last time I was Chairman.

  Yet I still lacked the maturity, compassion and professionalism. If I could single out the one thing that changed my approach to life, it would be loving and respecting people unconditionally.

It was something I was never taught. I had to learn it on my own. Growing up on the rez we were taught survival, not compassion. We were taught those not with us were against us. Which isn’t necessarily true. Lastly we were taught conditional love and respect. Only to love and respect others based on what the conditions were.

 In this job you can’t do that. You have to love and respect your people regardless of how they feel about you. It’s your job to protect them and create opportunity for them even if they despise you. It’s something that easier said than done, but it is what it is. I’m not saying let your people hurt you physically or repeatedly harass you; healthy boundaries must be set. I’m saying have thick skin and big heart but in a healthy unconditional way. Have open mind and iron fist in progressive way.

If we can endure the growing pains of respecting the leaders we don’t like personally, while having our leaders love members they don’t personally like, then and only then, I believe we can truly evolve. This level of evolution is what I like to call the next level of True leadership.

 This understanding is what I believe sets me apart from the pack, while staying true to my roots.

As always, If you don’t know now you know, a Native!

Native Voters Changing the Landscape

Time to Listen

Article Via NPR

Young and Native voters could make or break the 2024 election in Arizona for President Biden. Four years ago, both groups helped Biden win the state by just 11,400 votes, making him the first Democratic candidate to carry Arizona in over 20 years.

 This year, these voters are expected to not only be influential in the race for the White House but also for control of Congress.

 In between, there are young, Native voters deciding how to use their electoral power.

But strategists and politicians familiar with organizing Native voters agree: more needs to be done to court this significant voting bloc.

 "Native voters are powerful, and we can't be ignored anymore. We've shown that," said Jaynie Parrish, executive director of Arizona Native Vote. Parrish is part of the Navajo Nation. "And we just need other people to meet us where we are and get on board."

The battleground state is home to 22 federally recognized Native tribes and nations. The U.S. Census estimates that more than 300,000 people in Arizona identify as Native American. Each tribal government and community, whether it's rural or urban, has its own unique governance, history and challenges to participating in state and federal elections.

 "We are fighting against structures that weren't built for us. ... They weren't meant for us there. They were trying to kill us all. We're not supposed to be here," Parrish said. "We're not supposed to be voters."

 Organizers say challenges remain with outreach from the Democratic and Republican parties.

Outreach that goes beyond asking for a vote. Arizona GOP state Rep. David Cook said that Native voters are stereotyped as affiliating with Democrats, leaving votes on the table for the Republican Party.

 "Republicans need to get outside their comfort zone and go out and meet those Americans, those Arizonans in this state," Cook said, whose legislative district borders five tribal reservations. "That one Native American vote on that reservation, no matter what party, is just as important as my [own] vote."

 Cook said that he has seen limited attempts to bridge that gap from his party in Arizona, something he sees as shortsighted when many conservative issues could overlap with issues in Native communities.

"Tribal members on reservations have a lot in common with those people that live off reservations in small rural communities," he said. "They want good schools and education opportunities. They want good jobs, but really careers to raise families on. They want good roads and bridges and stuff for their kids. And they want to live in safe communities.

N.Scott Momaday - Kiowa

Navarre Scott Momaday was born on February 27, 1934, in Lawton, Oklahoma, into the Kiowa Tribe. He was raised in the Apache and Navajo reservations, where he developed a deep connection with his Tribal heritage.

His parents, both educators, instilled in him a love for literature and storytelling. Momaday pursued his academic interests at the University of New Mexico, where he earned a Bachelor's degree in English. He furthered his education at Stanford University, studying under the guidance of literary critic Yvor Winters, and obtained his Ph.D. in English literature.

Momaday's literary career took a significant turn with the publication of his novel "House Made of Dawn" in 1968. This pivotal work, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1969, marked a major milestone in Native literature. It is often credited with initiating the Native Renaissance, a period of a remarkable increase in the production of literary works by Native American authors.

His work is known for its lyrical fusion of Native folklore and modern narrative techniques. Momaday's profound connection to his heritage is evident in his works, which often explore themes of identity, tradition, and the connection between land and the human spirit.

Beyond "House Made of Dawn," Momaday's literary portfolio includes poetry, plays, and essays. His collection of poetry, "In the Bear's House," reflects his deep spiritual and personal engagement with nature and Native culture. His memoir, "The Names," is a poignant exploration of his family history and Kiowa heritage.

Momaday's contributions to literature and culture have been recognized with numerous awards and honors. He has received the National Medal of Arts and has been a Guggenheim Fellow. His influence extends beyond literature; he is a voice for environmentalism and Native rights. 

N. Scott Momaday stands as a towering figure in American literature. His work has not only enriched the literary world but also played a crucial role in the preservation and celebration of Native culture. Through his unique narrative voice and profound storytelling, he has bridged cultural divides and brought the richness of Native heritage to a wider audience.

Rest in Peace Kossin

Brought in 2-27-1934

Moved on 1-24-2024

He was 89 years old.

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Redwood Valley Little River Band of Pomo Indians

The Redwood Valley Little River Band of Pomo Indians (Redwood Valley Rancheria) is a federally recognized Indian tribe located in Redwood Valley, Mendocino County, California. For several thousand years the Tribe’s ancestors lived along the West Fork of the Russian River, located north of Calpella, CA. The Tribe interacted with other Pomo tribes located within the Russian River watershed, the Eel River watershed, and tribes found along the coasts of the Clearlake and the Pacific Ocean.

 Much was lost with the advancement of European settlers before and after the California Goldrush.  In 1908 Redwood Valley Rancheria was established as a home for "Homeless Indians." However, In 1958 the United States Congress terminated Redwood Valley Rancheria and many other tribes by enacting the California Rancheria Termination Act. In 1983 this act was declared illegal as a result of the Tillie Hardwick, et al. v. United States of America, et al. Case. Redwood Valley Rancheria and many other rancherias had their tribal status restored.

 The Redwood Valley Little River Band of Pomo Indians is a sovereign indian tribe with the powers of self-governance. Its tribal members elect a Tribal Council which acts as the governing body. The Council is authorized to write and enact ordinances and resolutions, conduct tribal business, and perform other actions that are commonly delegated to local governments.

​Today, Redwood Valley Rancheria has 159 acres of land in trust. It manages a wide array of social, educational, environmental and infrastructure programs. Click on the menu above to find out more about these programs.

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