Native Individuals practised self-governance on American soil lengthy earlier than america existed. Regardless of their deep-rooted historical past and contributions, they confronted an uphill battle for citizenship and voting rights, a wrestle that continued lengthy after the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924. This act, also called the Snyder Act, granted US citizenship to Native Individuals born throughout the nation.
They encountered a number of challenges, very similar to African Individuals and different marginalised teams who struggled for voting rights.
The Indian Citizenship Act Of 1924
Handed by Congress in 1924, the Indian Citizenship Act legally recognised Native Individuals as US residents. Nonetheless, the brand new standing didn’t universally translate into voting rights. Because the US Structure permits states to control voting legal guidelines, many states enacted restrictions particularly designed to forestall Native Individuals from voting. This state-level management meant literacy assessments and restrictive voter {qualifications} continued to disenfranchise Native voters throughout the nation.
For example, literacy assessments have been extensively used to forestall numerous minority teams, together with Native Individuals, from voting. An article printed in The Alaska Each day Empire in 1924 defined how Native Individuals have been topic to literacy assessments regardless of being newly recognised residents. This was just like the oppressive strategies used in opposition to African Individuals within the Jim Crow South.
Voter {Qualifications}
Within the years following the act, Native Individuals confronted quite a few hurdles in voting. Many states imposed strict {qualifications} and deal with necessities, making it tough for these residing on reservations to register and vote. Newspapers just like the Papago Indian Information reported on these points, offering essential data to Native communities about voting necessities and rights.
Within the Sixties, authorized battles continued to form Native American voting rights. A key case in Arizona concerned Joseph Montoya, who argued that votes from the Navajo Nation shouldn’t be counted as a result of they lived on a reservation. The Arizona Supreme Courtroom dominated in opposition to Montoya, affirming Native voting rights. This was an essential step, however actual change got here with the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which addressed voter suppression on the federal stage.
Native-owned publications, just like the Navajo Occasions, performed a vital function in elevating consciousness about voting rights points. These newspapers reported on authorized developments and voting rights campaigns, making certain that Native voices have been heard.
Native Individuals Stance In The 2024 US Elections
For the 2024 US elections, Native American voters shared their views at a Donald Trump rally in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Some talked concerning the want for financial progress in Native communities, supporting Donald Trump over President Biden’s “Construct Again Higher” plan. Whereas many Native Individuals historically vote Democratic, some attendees are aligning with Trump this time, notably on border safety. Others are backing Kamala Harris, citing financial issues and the necessity for environmental protections for Native lands.
