Recent government action has minimized or ignored the trust and treaty obligations the United States has to tribes and tribal citizens. The American Indian College Fund is encouraging American Indians and Alaska Natives to ensure they are registered to vote for the upcoming mid-term elections and beyond so they can share their voices at the polls and weigh in on issues such as federal funding for tribal colleges and universities, Native eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, green energy spending on tribal lands, and immigration. Electing legislators who will uphold the rights of Natives and other Americans, along with the responsibilities the federal government has to tribes, is paramount.

Native Americans have only had the right to vote for just over 100 years, underscoring the importance of representation and acknowledgment. Tribal citizens are most affected by elections, as federal funding is crucial for everything from education to tribal programming, housing, healthcare, and the local economy for many tribes that have signed treaties or have trust agreements with the federal government. For Native people, voting is not merely a right, it is an obligation to one’s family, tribe, and all Native nations that fought to be able to go to the polls. Native scholars from some of the 34 accredited tribal colleges and universities across the nation are sharing their own stories on the importance of voting and why it is sacred.

Registering to vote is just the first step. The College Fund is encouraging all Native students, community members, and supporters to register to vote today to be able to cast their ballot in upcoming primaries and midterm elections. Be it a tribal, local, state, or national election, it’s time to make Native voices heard!

Find additional information on voter registration broken down by state visit https://collegefund.org/vote/register/.