TVLSE, Oklv. – It’s election season in the United States, and as such, groups such as United Indian Nations of Oklahoma (UINO) have been holding events all across eastern Oklahoma to encourage Indigenous people to vote. This included a recent event in Tulsa, which was held at River Spirit Casino Resort, in which two famous Indigenous actors, Tatanka Means (“Reservation Dogs”, “Killers of the Flower Moon”, “The Son”) and Zahn McClernon (“Reservation Dogs”, “Dark Winds”, “Longmire”) made a stop as a part of UINO’s Warrior Up to Vote Rally tour.
Preceding the rally, however, was a series of lectures and talks given by members of the various tribes of Oklahoma, including from tribal leaders such as Chief Ben Barnes of the Shawnee tribe, who also serves as the chairman of UINO, and Principal Chief David Hill of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation. Other key figures, such as Margo Gray, the UINO Executive Director and member of the Osage Nation, Larry Wright Jr, the Executive Director of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) and member of the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska, and Ernie Stevens Jr., the Chairman of the Indian Gaming Association and a member of the Oneida Nation, also gave speeches and lectures.
Following this was a town hall involving three local political candidates: Sarah Gray, an Indigenous woman with Muscogee ancestry who is the Democratic candidate for Tulsa County Commissioner District 2, Dennis Baker, a Muscogee citizen running as the Democratic candidate for one of two seats in the House of Representatives, and Christi Gillespie, who is running as the Republican candidate in District 33 of the Oklahoma State Senate, and who is currently serving as the Vice Mayor for Broken Arrow, Oklahoma.
Finally, the rally began after a short break for dinner, with many people giving speeches throughout. The night was capped off with appearances by Means and McClarnon. Means began with a short comedy set before encouraging people to vote. Following this, McClernon took the stage, delivering a passionate speech. “Our voices as Indian people do matter in these elections. … Within a 100 mile radius of Tulsa, Oklahoma, there are more Indians with that radius than anywhere in the United States.” McClernon said. He also pointed out how this year was the 100th anniversary of the Snyder Act, which allowed Indigenous people the right to vote, as he addressed the crowd.
“You’re out here making a difference protecting, defending, and exercising tribal sovereignty,” McClernon said. “That’s another thing. When you get to those ballot boxes, vote for tribal sovereignty. Get out there and register, and vote.”
The deadline to register to vote in the 2024 General Election is Friday, Nov. 11. Early voting will begin on Oct. 30 and ends on Nov. 2. Election day is Tuesday, Nov. 5.
