Thread by @TexasTribune

1/ Native American tribe members say mistrust of the government and a history of erasure of indigenous people have contributed to low voter participation by tribe members.

This year they're are rallying to increase voter turnout.
texastribune.org/2020/09/25/tex…

2/ Cecelia Flores, chairperson for the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe, said most people in her community don’t see how the federal government impacts what they prioritize most: work and livelihood.

texastribune.org/2020/09/25/tex…

3/ But recently, an electronic bingo facility run by the tribe was threatened with closure when conflicting federal laws raised questions.

A federal bill was filed to protect the facility, but was opposed by U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, a Texas Republican.
texastribune.org/2020/09/25/tex…

4/ Now, members of the Tribal Council are working to increase members' voter participation in hopes that Texans in Congress take their issues more seriously.

“We can have some influence if we have a voice in our voting and who our representatives are.”
texastribune.org/2020/09/25/tex…

5/ Nationally, voter turnout rate among Native Americans and Alaska Native voters is lower than other racial and ethnic groups by 1 to 10 percentage points.
texastribune.org/2020/09/25/tex…

6/ Karla Aguilar, director of American Indians in Texas, said one barrier is lack of education on the subject.

“In a practical sense, there's no civics education that takes place in a substantial way to explain what these functions of our government do.”

7/ The group hopes to make the democratic process more visible to Native Americans.

“We're talking specifically to the heart of our Native American community, to remind them that democracy is indigenous, and that it only works when we participate.”
texastribune.org/2020/09/25/tex…

8/8 Aguilar said the group hopes to not only increase visibility on issues like the lack of a Texas Indian commission and climate change, but also create conversations centered around Native Americans.
texastribune.org/2020/09/25/tex…