Jefferson Keel: ‘Voting Is One of Our Greatest Sovereign Rights’
By Gale Courey Toensing ICTMN
Jefferson Keel, the president of the National Congress of American Indians. Photo- ICTMN
O’siyo. Tuesday, November 6, 2012 is the last day that American Indians get to execute their Sovereign Right to vote in the Presidential Elections of the United States.
Jefferson Keel, The president of the National Congress of American Indians urges Native Americans to vote.
Excerpt:
“The president of the National Congress of American Indians opened the organization’s 69th Annual Convention and Marketplace with an urgent message to Native America to get out and vote…“We are America’s first people and yet we were the last to secure our right to vote,” Keel said. “And our ancestors, some of our founding members, our mothers and fathers, stood against great resistance and scrutiny to reserve that right for all Native people. Voting is one of our greatest sovereign rights… “We will not be deterred – Indian country is focused on turning out the largest Native vote in history this year – and this report helps us focus our protection and education efforts. Voter ID and photo ID laws are a major concern and we are working to make sure Native voters have the information they need to make their voice heard,” Keel said…Read more
Tex Hall with President Obama
Tex ‘Red Tipped Arrow’ Hall, is chairman of the Mandan, Hidatsa & Arikara Nation. He is also a staunch supporter of President Barack Obama, and provides the reasons for why he will re-elect the President.
Excerpt:
“Like most Native Americans, I jumped at the chance to throw my support behind President Obama in his 2008 campaign. Four years later, although some of my friends complain that President Obama has been unable to lift the economy out from the crater he inherited, I’ve decided that I am sticking with Obama in 2012. Here are the three reasons why:
1) Obama has kept his promises to us.
The year he took office, President Obama gathered tribal leaders to a historic White House meeting. When he told us, “You will not be forgotten as long as I’m in this White House,” I knew that those of us who had backed Obama in the election had made the right choice. I told my friends that they could count on him. It’s safe to say, he has proven me right…
2) President Obama shares our values.
President Obama understands better than Governor Romney, who is a multimillionaire, where most of us come from. Obama understands that in Indian country, we still struggle with poverty, low life-expectancy, and dilapidated schools. He understands that many of us still have to drive dozens of miles for groceries, that our families live paycheck to paycheck, that we worry if we can afford to send our kids to college, and that we struggle everyday to put an end to intergenerational trauma. Things are finally improving for us as a nation. While Romney’s agenda focuses on tax breaks for the rich… Obama has not forgotten the less fortunate and the people who believe that success is within reach for anyone who is willing to work hard for it. Obama has made the largest investments in history in Indian country’s education and health care…
3) Indian country cannot afford to risk its future with Governor Romney.
Governor Romney says that he would repeal the Affordable Care Act on his first day in office. Not only would his actions jeopardize health care coverage for all Americans, it would also mean the end of the Indian Health Care Improvement Act…Governor Romney has said he will not support expanded protections for Indian women, LGBT persons, and immigrants.” Read more…
‘I believe that Indian country has a clear choice. Indian Country is as strong today as it’s ever been. We can be proud of what President Obama has already accomplished. But the job is not done. I ask you to join me and vote for President Barack Obama.” ~Tex ‘Red Tipped Arrow’ Hall~
Let your voice be heard…Vote. That is the only way we will win! 
