Western Native Voice dedicated to Indian issues

On 29, all Montanans, especially Native Americans received good news from Helena, State Capitol.  As announced by Western Native Voice (WNV), HB 176 which proposed by a Republican to do away with voter registration on the same day as voting tabled by the House Administration and Rules Committee. Although the bill could be later brought back for consideration, that is highly unlikely.  “This is good news for all Montanans,” said Keaton Sunchild, WNV lobbyist and Political Director, especially Native Americans.”

HB 176 is one of nearly 100 similar bills proposed in States across the country, spearheaded by Republicans to limit voting access by limiting mailed ballots, imposing more restrictions on voter registration etc.  This and other news is shared via a free online weekly WNV report. Every week about 7,000 people in Montana receive the MT Legislative Update focusing the status of legislation of interest and concern to Native Americans, a novel and new public service provided Western Native Voice (WNV), a Montana nonprofit organization dedicated to tribal empowerment and civic engagement.

Though most subscribers are Native Americans, the list also includes many of the grassroots supporters who are supportive of tribal issues and share common concerns.

The legislative report is the brainchild of Keaton Sunchild, Chippewa Cree, WNV Political Director and a registered lobbyist for the 2021 session, also representing MT Native Vote, a sister non-profit dedicated to voter registration, voter education, recruiting and supporting Native candidates for state office.  “We are bipartisan in our efforts, taking our cues from the Montana Tribes and Mt urban areas with significant Native populations (Great Falls, Missoula and Billings)” Sunchild explained.

He explained that major tribal concerns for this session include the LUKE Act (Missing and murdered indigenous people); the epidemic COVID battle; protecting attempts to attack voter rights and access to affordable and adequate health care, education and tribal language preservation.  The new website and Legislative Report will also help with another WNV goal- training and encouraging Natives to make public comment and contact legislators about issues of concern.  “There is a growing confidence in providing public comment among Native peoples in MT,” said TaJin Perez, former WNV Program Director and soon-to-be Deputy Director.  “Our voices need to be heard.”

WNV works very closely with members of the Montana Legislative Tribal Caucus, which includes 13 tribal members.

Last fall, prior to the election cycle WNV, Plaintiff scored a huge win for Native voters in WNV. V. Stapleton which overturned the Montana Ballot Intervention Prevention Act (BIPA) which would have prevented the collection and conveyance of ballots for another person.  The Court ruled BIPA unconstitutional because it would have violated the constitutional right to vote, free speech and due process of law.  “This is critical for rurally isolated Natives for voting, especially during COVID isolation,” Sunchild noted.

According to Board Member, Norma Bixby, Northern Cheyenne WNV has made large impacts in Montana’s Indian country.  “We have such a great crew of energetic, dedicated younger Indian people who make that possible” she said.  “We are still waiting on reports with final numbers but believe that Native voting turnout was at an all-time high in Montana.”

In the recent past, WNV has focused on several projects. They established a Mutual COVID-19 Relief Fund, generating some $28.000 in donations to assist MT Tribes and urban communities with food and other necessary supplies.  The census, very difficult during the pandemic was also a priority. They also carried on with the core mission of empowerment though voting, a multi-faceted approach involving voter registration in connection with MT Native Vote such as voter registration, get-out-the vote; voter education, including endorsement of candidates and various education programs regarding the legislative process.  They also work closely with all members of the Montana Indian caucus.

The on-the-groundwork is handled by field organizers which include Tyrell Fenner, Salish-Kootenai; Joseph Running Crane, Blackfeet at Missoula; Shirley Holds the Enemy at Helena; Maggie Bauer, Blackfeet at Great Falls; Laurie Kindess, Crow; Clover Anaquod, Fort Peck and Renie LaPlant Blackfeet. A vacancy at Northern Cheyenne due to Abdell Russell’s promotion to overall Program Director will soon be filled.

The organization is currently in a transitional re-organization and new staff assignments include Executive Director, Ronnie Jo Horse, Oglala; Deputy Director TaJin Perez, New Mexican indigenous person, Program Director Abdell Russell, Northern Cheyenne; Financial Controller, Krystal Hill, Crow/Northern Cheyenne; Political Director, Keaton Sunchild, Chippewa Cree; Deputy Political Director, Daliah Killsback, Northern Cheyenne and Communications Director Tracie Moss, Assiniboine-Sioux.  “It is simply remarkable what all these wonderful young Indian people do,” Norma Bixby emphasized, “WNV, under their leadership and implementation of the Board’s direction is really making a difference.  I wish the organization had been this active when I served in the Legislature.”

Sunchild is an amazing example of the up-and-coming WNV Native leaders.  Now age of 21, at 18 ran for the Legislature from Great Falls.  He made a good showing, a “warm-up” for future political aspirations. But perhaps TaJin Perez who made a strong commitment to Native issues after helping with the Standing Rock solidarity movement put it best.  “As an indigenous person, my Father always stressed we are all brothers and related.  It is so important for us to help one another.”

WNV Board members include Chairman Pat Smith, Assiniboine Sioux, a founding member of the organization established in 2011.  Other Board members include Norma Bixby, Northern Cheyenne and a former State Legislator; Montana Wilson, Northern Cheyenne law student; Leah Whitford, Blackfeet and former State Legislator and James Steele, former Tribal President Salish-Kootenai Tribes.

The organization can be found at Western Native Voice.com. Where it is also possible to sign up for the free Legislative Weekly Report.

 

(Clara Caufield can be reached at acheyennevoice@gmail.com).

 

 

 

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