{"id":37907,"date":"2024-09-27T05:19:55","date_gmt":"2024-09-27T10:19:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/native-entertainers-zahn-mcclarnon-and-tatanka-means-join-the-warrior-up-to-vote-rally-on-sept-30\/"},"modified":"2024-09-27T05:20:13","modified_gmt":"2024-09-27T10:20:13","slug":"native-entertainers-zahn-mcclarnon-and-tatanka-means-join-the-warrior-up-to-vote-rally-on-sept-30","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/unitedresourceconnection.org\/cannon-ball-nd-58528\/native-entertainers-zahn-mcclarnon-and-tatanka-means-join-the-warrior-up-to-vote-rally-on-sept-30\/","title":{"rendered":"Native entertainers Zahn McClarnon and Tatanka Means join the Warrior Up to Vote Rally on Sept. 30"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a>TULSA, Oklahoma<\/strong>\u2014Native entertainers Zahn McClarnon and Tatanka Means have been announced as special guests at the Warrior Up to Vote Rally on Sept. 30 at River Spirit Casino Resort in Tulsa. Both are widely recognized in Indian Country for their activism and contributions to Native representation in the entertainment industry.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Warrior Up to Vote Rally on Sept. 30 is a full day of activities promoting the Native vote, beginning with a Sovereignty 101 Summit in the morning, followed by a candidate forum in the afternoon. The day ends with a rally featuring special guests McClarnon and Means, two of the most recognizable figures in Native media today. UINO\u2019s efforts are pivotal as the group seeks to inspire Native communities across Oklahoma to register and vote for pro-tribal sovereignty issues.<\/p>\n

McClarnon and Means\u2019 participation in the Warrior Up to Vote Rally comes at a crucial time, as the state of Oklahoma recently purged more than 450,000 registrations from its voter rolls during \u201croutine maintenance\u201d conducted every other year under state law. With 2.38 million voter registrations on file, this year\u2019s purge represented nearly 20 percent of those registrations. The most significant portion, almost 195,000, consisted of individuals who had not voted in at least four consecutive general election cycles, typically spanning eight years. The deadline to register for the Nov. 5 general election is Oct. 11. This means citizens who were removed from the rolls, have never been registered or need to update their information have approximately two weeks to register, renew, or update their voter status in time to vote in the November general election.<\/p>\n

Oklahoma\u2019s biennial practice of purging voter rolls reinforces the urgent need for Native communities to check their voter registration. The Warrior Up to Vote Rally will address this issue head-on, providing motivation and resources to boost voter participation.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe cannot afford to have our voices silenced by bureaucratic processes,\u201d said <\/em>Ben Barnes, UINO Chairperson and Chief of the Shawnee Tribe<\/em><\/strong>. \u201cThe recent voter purge in Oklahoma is alarming, but it\u2019s a stark reminder of how critical it is for Native people to ensure they are registered voters. Our sovereignty, our representation, and our futures are at stake. We must stand up, united as Natives, and Warrior Up to Vote.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

The second biannual Warrior Up to Vote event is an unprecedented statewide initiative to increase voter registration among Native Americans in Oklahoma. Oklahoma ranks 50th in voter participation and registration, and Native Americans in the United States have some of the country\u2019s lowest voter registration and turnout rates. With tribal citizens comprising 13 percent of Oklahoma\u2019s population, Warrior Up to Vote aims to change that among Oklahoma\u2019s 38 federally recognized tribes.<\/p>\n

\u201cNative American representation in media is more prominent than ever, with films like Killers of the Flower Moon and television shows like Reservation Dogs and Dark Winds. We hope bringing performers like Zahn McClarnon and Tatanka Means to our September 30 voter registration rally and candidate forum will capture the attention of our Tribal communities,\u201d said <\/em>Margo Gray (Osage), Executive Director of UINO<\/em><\/strong>. \u201cWe\u2019re willing to do whatever it takes to get Natives of all ages and backgrounds to our rally to register to vote and hear the candidates\u2019 positions on the issues.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

UINO received a grant from the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), which helps UINO educate and increase Native American voting. UINO\u2019s Warrior Up to Vote Tour kicked off with the support of nine tribes in Miami, Oklahoma, on Sept. 23. The tour continues with stops throughout Oklahoma\u2019s Tribal nations through Oct. 5. With the support of tribal leaders, UINO is setting up informational booths at tribal headquarters, health centers and other tribal facilities.\u00a0<\/p>\n

By registering Native American voters, UINO will empower tribal communities in Oklahoma to influence critical policy issues in Indian Country, such as economic development, criminal justice, health care, and education.<\/p>\n

In addition to the voter registration drive, UINO will host additional programming in conjunction with the Sept. 30 Warrior Up to Vote Rally. Tribal leaders, national Tribal organizations and legal scholars are scheduled as featured speakers at a Tribal Sovereignty 101 Summit the morning of Sept. 30 at River Spirit Casino Resort in Tulsa. A candidates forum featuring municipal, state, and federal candidates will follow in the afternoon. The Warrior Up to Vote Rally caps the day off with Zahn McClarnon and Tatanka Means from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.\u00a0<\/p>\n

UINO\u2019s efforts to register tribal citizens to vote are nonpartisan, but candidates\u2019 positions on tribal sovereignty and issues critical to Indian Country are of interest. Candidates at all levels of government are welcome to register for the forum and may RSVP using this link<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The entire two-week tour and schedule of events ends in Ada on Oct. 5 at the Chickasaw Nation Festival.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Key Tour Dates and Events:<\/u><\/p>\n