Is the Tribal Vote Suppressed ?

Tactics

If you’re not already following us on all socials, please do so to stay the most up to date and informed as possible. The links are posted below.

As I mentioned in last weeks editorial, Tribal voting has taken a while to catch up to the U.S. voting systems. Our voting systems are definitely far from perfect but seem to be working for the most part. However, voter suppression always has the possibility to show up unannounced, even if by chance.

What is voter suppression?

Voter suppression refers to various strategies used to prevent eligible voters from exercising their right to vote. This can include laws or measures that make it more difficult to register to vote, requirements that disproportionately affect certain groups of voters (like strict ID laws), reducing the number of polling places in specific areas, purging voter rolls, and more.

Strict Voter ID Laws

These laws require voters to present specific types of identification at the polls, which can disproportionately affect minorities, the elderly, and low-income voters who may not have easy access to the required forms of ID.

Ballot Access Restrictions

Making it difficult for candidates to appear on the ballot can manipulate electoral outcomes by limiting the choices available to voters. This can involve setting high thresholds for signatures, imposing substantial fees, or applying complex eligibility criteria, which can disproportionately affect smaller or less-funded political parties and independent candidates.

In circumstances such as a pandemic, absentee voting provides a safer alternative to in-person voting, reducing the risk of spreading illness among voters and poll workers. Eliminating absentee voting could force people to choose between their health and their right to vote, potentially exacerbating public health crises.

In my community, we have an overwhelming amount of Tribal elders that put themselves at risk to cast their votes due to lack of absentee voting. If elected I’d love to bring back absentee voting for all Tribal elders as well as anyone attending college.

I’m almost all but certain that our Tribe will run a fair and honest election as they always have. Will I be on the winning side of it? I guess we’ll have to wait and see.

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

Native Tribe to build $1B Solar Farm in Colorado

Article via Electrek

The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe is going to build the Sun Bear Solar Project, one of the US’s largest solar farms, in Colorado.

 The up to 971 megawatt (MW) solar farm will sit on around 4,000 acres of Ute Mountain Ute tribal land, nine miles south of the Tribe’s capital, Towaoc, in southwestern Colorado. Sun Bear will be around eight miles long and one mile wide and will feature 2.2 million solar panels. It’s also expected to create up to 1,000 construction jobs, 10-50 full-time jobs, and revenue for the tribe.

 Tribal officials are working with global renewable energy developer Canigou Group to plan the Sun Bear solar farm, which will cost more than $1 billion.

 The Bureau of Indian Affairs is currently reviewing the project’s environmental assessment. Construction is expected to kick off later this year, and Sun Bear is scheduled to come online in 2026. The solar farm will connect to the Western Area Power Administration power line, but who the electricity will be sold to has yet to be determined.

 Ute Mountain Ute chairman Manuel Heart said about the Sun Bear project at a public consultation meeting on February 9 [via KSUT], “We, as the Ute Mountain Ute tribe, had been a fossil fuel tribe with oil and gas for a long time, probably over 50 years. Today, with the changes in legislation, global warming, and climate change, you can see the impact of what’s happening to our world. So renewable is the new future right now.”

Share this news with a friend for free!

Robbie Robertson - Mohawk

 Jaime Royal "Robbie" Robertson was born on July 5, 1943, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Raised in a Jewish family, Robertson's early exposure to music came from his mother's side, who was of Mohawk descent and from the Six Nations Reserve. This unique blend of cultural backgrounds played a significant role in shaping his musical influences.

 Robertson's passion for music was ignited at a young age. He learned to play guitar and was soon performing in various bands during his teenage years. His early career saw him playing with rockabilly and R&B groups, showcasing his versatile guitar skills and budding talent as a songwriter.

 His major breakthrough came with his association with the Hawks, a backing group for rockabilly singer Ronnie Hawkins. Over time, this group evolved into The Band, with Robertson as its primary songwriter and guitarist. The Band gained prominence for its unique blend of rock, country, folk, and blues, which was a stark contrast to the psychedelic rock prevalent in the 1960s.

 The Band's debut album, "Music from Big Pink" (1968), was a critical success, introducing Robertson's storytelling prowess through songs like "The Weight." Their self-titled second album further cemented their status, with Robertson's songwriting taking center stage.

 Robertson is acclaimed for his narrative songwriting style, infusing historical and personal themes into his music. Songs like "The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down" and "Up on Cripple Creek" are testaments to his ability to weave stories into song, capturing the American ethos.

 After The Band's farewell concert in 1976, immortalized in Martin Scorsese's film "The Last Waltz," Robertson embarked on a solo career. His solo works continued to exhibit his storytelling talent and musical versatility. Alongside his solo career, Robertson became a sought-after collaborator and producer, working with artists across various genres.

 His  influence on music is profound. He is recognized as one of the greatest guitarists and songwriters, with his work influencing generations of musicians. His contributions to music have been acknowledged with numerous accolades, including induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of The Band.

 In recent years, he has ventured into other artistic endeavors, including writing, film scoring, and producing. His memoir, "Testimony," provides an insight into his remarkable journey in music.

 Lastly, he has earned a posthumous Oscar nomination for his ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ score.

This section as always is brought to you by the Kossin Brand.

The purpose of the Kossin brand is to connect our people through inclusivity and commonalities.

Many other brands and companies aim to divide and conquer, however at Kossin they do not.

If you enjoy this section and being introduced to a new Native every week please click the “Support Kossin Here” button below and support them by buying some Kossin Merch.

If you enjoy our memes don’t forget to follow on Twitter now known as X.com, Instagram and Tik Tok for more exclusive content. The profile links are listed below. @LouistheNative on all platforms. 

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.

Thank you for supporting Native businesses and believing in one of your own!