Native Vote

Situation:

The fundamental right to vote has been intentionally obstructed for Native American people since the Fifteenth Amendment was passed in 1870. And though Native Americans are the first people of this land, they could not vote until U.S. citizenship was granted in 1924. And still, the growing Native population continues to face voter suppression at every step of the voting process as their political power builds.

Throughout the decades, Pyramid activated Native vote campaigns across Indian Country. We’ve partnered with tribal nations, including Lummi Nation, Kalispel Tribe of Indians, Blackfeet Nation, and Puyallup Tribe of Indians to encourage their membership to vote. Native-led partners like Native American Rights Fund, National Congress of American Indians, Chief Seattle Club, Alaska Federation of Natives, and others have committed to utilizing their resources and reach to mobilize Native voters across the nation.

 

Strategy:

  • Generated awareness within tribal communities about attempts to obstruct the Native vote.
  • Elevated the voices of tribal organizers, tribal leaders, and Native influencers nationwide as they called on Native people to use their power to vote.
  • Navigated communications barriers with culturally grounded awareness campaigns across geographies and tribal territories.

 

Tactics:

In partnership with Native American Rights Fund:

  • Created awareness campaign and Native Vote toolkit to activate Native Voters, building up to the 2020 election.
  • Created one-page summaries for the Obstacle At Every Turn: Barriers to Political Participation by Native American Voters report.
  • Engaged in a proactive inoculation campaign to combat dis-and mis-information and circumvent community threats and Native voter suppression.
  • Activate a digital post-election voter confidence campaign to remind Native voters of their power.

In partnership with National Congress of American Indians:

  • Edited and activated the NCAI Voter Toolkit for cultural relevance, COVID-19 disruption in voting access, and adaptations to connect with the Native audience.
  • Supported registration activities during the countdown to the 2020 election.
  • Designed and placed culturally grounded Get Out the Vote ads with tribal newspapers in core target tribal communities, including but not limited to ND, SD, MT, and AZ.

In partnership with Chief Seattle Club:

  • Produced and facilitated the Seattle City Council Town Hall on Urban Indigenous Issues prior to Election Day.
  • Designed Native vote graphics to support a voter registration event for the urban Indian houseless community and beyond.
  • Coordinated and activated a national Native Vote social media campaign.

Tribal Support with Puyallup Tribe of Indians, Lummi Nation, Kalispel Tribe of Indians:

  • Designed voter’s guides with key endorsements for local races.
  • Created and sent out mailers to tribal members with election information.
  • Supported primary and general elections with tribal voter guides.
  • Established necessary vote-by-mail guidelines and action plans during a global pandemic.

 

Results:

Through ongoing and collective efforts, Native vote campaigns have activated voters in tribal communities to increase local and broad political participation to build Native power. Native people proved to be the margin of victory in the 2020 election, particularly in states like Arizona, Michigan, and Minnesota.