Native Bidaské with Janeen Comenote on the “Democracy is Indigenous” Report

Join us this Friday for a special episode of Native Bidaske exploring the heart of Indigenous civic engagement and democracy. Special guest Executive Director of the National Urban Indian Family Coalition Janeen Comenote will shed light on the release of “Democracy is Indigenous: Reclaiming our Voice, Reclaiming Our Power,” the NUIFC’s latest report on civic engagement and voting power in Native communities.

Over the past five years, the National Urban Indian Family Coalition (NUIFC) has focused on building civic engagement infrastructure for urban Native communities through investments in American Indian-led nonprofit organizations. These investments have empowered these organizations to engage in civic and electoral work, aiming to increase participation and advocate for policies that promote equity and fairness. In 2018, NUIFC and its members launched an initiative to mobilize off-reservation American Indian and Alaska Native populations, who represent a significant portion of the overall Native population but are often overlooked in voter turnout campaigns. This initiative has had a notable impact on electoral outcomes. The recently released five-year “Democracy is Indigenous Native Vote Report” celebrates the achievements of NUIFC’s efforts, highlighting their work in major elections and the Census, outlining their strategic approach to building community capacity, and showcasing the impact of their investments in member organizations.

Comenote serves as the original Executive Director of the National Urban Indian Family Coalition (NUIFC), which is a nationwide coalition that represents 38 urban Indian centers in 26 cities and over two million Native Americans who are residing far from their ancestral lands.

This episode will uncover the pivotal role the National Urban Indian Family Coalition plays in the engagement in civic matters. As well as delving into the challenges faced by Indigenous democracy in the US, including the disenfranchisement of Native American voters through zoning and redistricting laws. Join us to delve into the historical participation of Native Americans in democracy and understand why the ongoing fight for democracy in their communities is crucial.

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Written by Native News Online