by Reesa Artz
November 6, 2018. A day that will change the face of politics. Why? It’s the 2018 Midterms. This is a historic election as young adults across the nation have shown up to the polls in record numbers. Increased diversity in candidates is finally here, and people of all ethnicities, faiths, and identities have come to take their rightful place in politics. As a Native American from the Chippewa-Cree Tribe, I feel, like never before, so accepted and appreciated for my heritage. This is due to the two powerful and inspiring Native women, Deb Haaland and Sharice Davids, that are both running for the House of Representatives. As the night progresses my mom and I watch the results come in on Twitter. My mom, like me, is very connected to her heritage, especially as she was born and raised during her early years on our reservation. When each new victory is made Twitter erupts. People are so thrilled for the progress of our nation. Every victory makes me smile, but none more so than when Haaland and Davids win their spots in the House. Immediately my mom is calling our family and friends, softly crying tears of joy and disbelief; “We finally did it.”
Christopher Columbus didn’t discover America. Although he has been given the majority of the credit, less in recent years, for finding the “New World,” there were actually many, many people living there before him and his companion destroyed their livelihood. Although still considered a minority population, Natives don’t receive the attention they need in all societal outlets. It’s a rare find to see a Native character in a book, movie, TV show, or even have a political issue be brought up on television or for debate. This racism is swept under the rug and is rarely talked about. Native Americans are a minority group that is in a sense kind of forgotten about, most people know that we exist, but they’re not even close to enough positive coverage and governmental assistance to make people understand that discrimination Native peoples still face today. A major issue why Native’s aren’t receiving the help and attention they need is due to the lack of representation in politics. Although the Fifteenth Amendment of 1870 gave all U.S. Citizens the right to vote, Native Americans were still not considered citizens of the United States. It wasn’t until over 50 years later, on June 2, 1924, that Native Americans were given acknowledgment that they are citizens. Even with the lawful right to vote in every state, Native Americans suffered from the same mechanisms and strategies, such as poll taxes, literacy tests, fraud, and intimidation, that kept African Americans from exercising that right. In 1965, with the passage of the Voting Rights Act and subsequent legislation in 1970, 1975, and 1982, many other voting protections were reaffirmed and strengthened.
In addition to gaining the right to vote, Natives have also struggled in playing an active role in politics. As of 2018, there have been no Native American presidents and only 16 Native members in the House of Representatives and 5 in the Senate. But this recent midterm changed these statistics a significant amount. Just last week two Native American women were voted into the House of Representatives. Democrat Sharice Davids, of the Ho-Chunk Tribe, became a representative for Kansas and fellow Democrat Deb Haaland, of the Laguna Pueblo Tribe, became a representative for New Mexico. The results of the 2018 Midterm caused many needed firsts to occur in the United States. A 29-year-old was elected, as well as a Hijab-wearing Muslim, and many states with their first women governors.
Debra “Deb” Haaland was born on December 2, 1960, in Winslow, Arizona to her Marine father and Navy mother. In college, she earned Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in English from the University of New Mexico and in 2006 she earned her Juris Doctor in Indian Law from the University of New Mexico’s School of Law. After graduating from law school, Haaland to a place as a chairwoman of the Laguna Development Corp., which runs the pueblo’s gaming enterprises and other businesses. She also worked as a tribal administrator until 2015. “I’ve spent my life advocating for the underrepresented, advancing progressive values, and working tirelessly to help elect Democrats up and down the ballot,” Haaland said in a statement. “I want to ensure that everyone’s voice is heard, and it would be an honor to be that voice for our communities, our families, and for all of us.”
In New Mexico, Native American people make up much more of the population than Natives do for the entire country. 22 Tribal Communities, spanning over 2 million acres, accounting for almost 11% of the states’ population. These 22 communities have stuck to their ancestors’ traditions steadfastly, as the majority of Natives spanning the country have lost touch with their heritage and frequently have no connection with their reservation. New Mexico Natives, as shown in the 2010 Census, have a deep and tangible connection to their homeland as 75% of reservations have not seen a drop in population as more Natives move elsewhere. Although one may assume Natives in New Mexico may not experience poverty has intensely as other states, due to their fierce love of their land and traditions, that would not be the case. Across the 22 Communities, approximately 36% are living below the poverty line, and over 50% are barely considered middle class. This is a shocking fact as many Native New Mexicans have degrees and educationally have the means to leave the reservation, but choose not to due to their devotion to their ancestors. This is why Native American Representation is so important in places like New Mexico. So many of these people are choosing to stay in their reservation with their family because their roots go way back and hold a sacred place in their hearts. These people deserve to have Native Representation in Congress. Representatives who aren’t Native and haven’t seen the daily struggles they endure aren’t able to represent the 190,000 Natives in New Mexico.
In 2012 Haaland became more well known to the wider public when she served as New Mexico’s vote director for Native Americans for Barack Obama’s reelection campaign. She ran for Lieutenant Governor in 2014 but lost to Republican John Sanchez. In 2015, during her tenure as the Chair of the Democratic Party, the Democrats gained control of the house in New Mexico. Haaland advanced from the primary on June 5, 2018, for New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District in the U.S. House. Her district covers Albuquerque and a handful of rural communities that include tribal communities. Haaland was highly discouraged in her campaign, by both minority populations and whites, for her place in the house. She was told by her family, friends, and coworkers that not only a woman of Native descent would never earn a representative position, but she would never receive the funding needed to support her campaign. Haaland understood that in order to broadcast her message to the people of New Mexico she would need to fundraise- and she did. Haaland raised over $1.3 million dollars, a significantly higher amount than any of her opponents.
New Mexico, like every other state in the United States, had never had Native American Representation at the Federal Level until Haaland came along. Although Native American representation was non-existent at the Federal Level, it was seen a bit at the state and local levels. Despite this, Hispanics were the primary target and focus of elections, both as the candidates and “representative” of the entire New Mexico population. KPBS reports that many of the social and economic issues brought up at the local and state levels are concerning Hispanic issues.
During her campaign, Haaland focused on Climate Change, Income Inequality, and Medicare for All. Her track record of standing up to Trump, shown most notably in her calling him out due to his inappropriate “Pocahontas” comments towards U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren, only increased when she made statements about her progressive opinions. Haaland wants to hold Trump and all other Republicans accountable for the damage being done not only to our environment but to the many poor, sick families under New Mexico’s poverty line. She wants to instill policies that will allow Native to begin a small business selling their home cooked food and keep Native children in school despite being in a single-parent household. With regard to the Environment, Haaland hopes to counteract climate change by keeping fossil fuels in their rightful homes, in the ground. Haaland will vote against all new and developing fossil fuel infrastructure and push for 100% clean and renewable energy sources. Haaland also sees that income inequality is on the rise and way out of control in America. As a working, single mother who put her daughter through college on a limited income, Haaland know first-hand the struggles of high taxes and low wages. Haaland says, “I believe in a fair society, where hardworking New Mexicans all have an equal shot to reach their full potential, and where corporations, millionaires, and billionaires all pay their fair share in taxes.”
Haaland historic win made her not only the first Native American women elected to the House in New Mexico but the first, along with Sharice Davids, to the House in general. New Mexico is a state the commonly switches the majority party with every election, with the 2016 election favoring the Republicans. New Mexico has always had a high voter turnout with minority voters, especially Blacks and Hispanics, but lacked in representation from White and Native populations. Haaland made an effort to spread her campaign as far as possible and make it as universally appealing to those with similar viewpoints, no matter their race. Haaland’s emotional speeches always brought along inspirational quotes that definitely encouraged all voters to vote Haaland, “We need someone to speak up for the folks who have struggled—who know what it’s like to apply for food stamps, and have to put groceries back at the checkout line because you don’t have enough money to pay for it or struggle between paying your rent, or buying food. We need more people like that to speak up.”
Sharice Davis was born in Oneida, Wisconsin on May 22, 1980, to a single mother, Crystal Herriage, who previously served in the army. She graduated in 2007 from the University of Missouri-Kansas City with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration. Davis went on to pursue her Juris Doctor from Cornell Law School in 2009. Davids began her legal career at SNR Denton in 2010. She later directed community and economic development for the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation and opened her own business, Hoka Coffee. In 2016, she worked as a White House Fellow in the Department of Transportation during the transition between the Obama and Trump administrations. Throughout this time Davis also trained in MMA and became a professional in 2013. She did try out for The Ultimate Fighter but didn’t make it onto the show.
As of now, Kansas is home to four Indian reservations–the Iowa, Kickapoo, Potawatomi, and Sac and Fox. American Indians of various tribal affiliations stemming from other states also reside in Kansas. Although cultural distinctions and loved traditions still exist, the traditional way of life has changed with the changing times. Kansas is not as rooted in tradition and culture as New Mexico, but the need for Native representation is still there nonetheless. And, due to the negative image of Kansas portrayed in the media due to the news on places like the Westboro Baptist Church, positive political figures with messages of tolerance and acceptance are desperately needed.
Davis began her political career in 2018 when she ran for the United States House of Representatives in Kansas 3rd congressional district. Davis won the primary election, beating out favored candidate, Bernie Sanders’ endorsed Brent Wilder. In the general election, Davis defeated incumbent Republican Kevin Yoder to win a seat in the house as Kansas’ first Native American, and openly gay, female representative.
When it was revealed that David had taken the election people were not afraid to share in her excitement. “It’s significant beyond Kansas,” said Davis Hammett, an LGBT rights activist from Topeka. “This is significant to all LGBT folks in the Midwest. She really feels like the voice for all the LGBT folks in the Midwest. And I know that there’s a similar feeling in Native American communities.”
“To see an indigenous woman in leadership would be a source of inspiration for a lot of young people here,” said Liz Welch, who worked with Davids at the Thunder Valley Community Development Corp.
Davis’ win follows another historic Native Kansas, Charles Curtis of the Kew Nation, who won his respective position as Vice President under Herbert Hoover exactly 90 years ago. Her win also stunted her opponent, 4-term Republican Kevin Yoder, who was on the political rise after gaining Trump’s favor, becoming chair of the powerful Homeland Security budget committee, and in charge of funding Trump’s pet proposal for a wall along the southern border.
Davis’ Democratic campaign has three main priorities gun control, our economy, and our education system. Davis believes that “Guns do have their place. As part of a military family, I recognize that firearms have a role in society. That place is not in schools, in hospitals, in mental health facilities, or in the homes of domestic abusers.” She plans to treat gun violence as a public health issue and supports more extensive background checks and higher standards for conceal and carry permits. In the realm of education, Davis plans on implementing a holistic approach to education, focusing on providing quality public education form Pre-Kindergarten until 12th grade, with exposure to trade, technical, and leadership skills. Finally, Davis believes that female health care has become too expensive. She understands that women face too many restrictions when it comes to regulation over their own bodies. Davis hopes to implement lower costs for prenatal, post-natal, contraception, and fertility treatment.
“There’s this image of Kansas as this backward, bigoted place and it’s really powerful to see something positive come from it,” said Hammett, who co-founded Equality House, a rainbow-painted house in Topeka that sits across the street from the vehemently anti-gay Westboro Baptist Church. “Having figures like Sharice Davids literally saves lives.”
Davis’ and Haaland’s historic wins showed society that indigenous women have power and are more than capable to enter into white, male-dominated spheres. The Center for American Women and Politics reports that only 1 woman of color has been elected to the House of Representatives and only 4% of Congress is women of color. By increasing minority participation in politics, they would be giving a voice to their own people, whose needs are most of the time overlooked due to having a representative not as connected with their main concerns.
Davis won the general election by winning the hearts of voters. She put continuously put forward a positive and solutions-oriented agenda in a commonly Republican state, with many less progressive residents. Despite the controversy she stirred up in Kansas, Davis continued to increasingly win over the public by sharing how her experiences as a Native American LGBTQ woman influenced her policy positions and beliefs. Her relatability of being LGBTQ, a women, and Native American struck a wide variety of audiences and her monumental victory tonight has already encouraged other female minority leaders considering a run for office in red states or districts. “It’s 2018 and women, Native Americans, gay people, the unemployed and the underemployed have to fight like hell just to survive,” she said in a campaign video. “It’s clear Trump and the Republicans in Washington don’t give a damn about anyone like me or anyone who doesn’t think like them.”
On November 6 Haaland and Davis helped changed the face of America. Still today Native American voters are repressed because they don’t have access to the education needed to read a ballot or the funding to even put gas in their car to get to the polls. These women are paving the way for future female minority politicians. Finally, little girls across the country of Native descent will be able to look at history books, or Wikipedia, and be able to see a representative that looks like them.
In a year of exceptional candidates, these two groundbreaking women definitely deserved their respective wins. These historic wins are ones for the history books, as Haaland and Davis both accomplished a major first. My mother, Angela Cleavenger of the Chippewa-Cree Tribe on the Rocky Boy Reservation, was ecstatic when the votes were tallied. She explained to me how difficult it was growing up in a conservative state in the 60s and 70s when Native American racism was at its most obvious height; “I was ridiculed for how my skin looked and how my mother spoke. I was judged for where my family came from instead of from my own goals and successes. Although I didn’t look as Native as some of my family, I was emotionally and a few times physically assaulted and bullied.” This common thread of Native harassment is something that, as Harvard News reports, did hit an obvious high in the 60s and 70s, but it still is unfortunately common today. Harvard News says that over ⅓ of Natives today have been subject of racial slurs, and in areas of most of the population being below the poverty line that number is almost ½.
Family friend Lisa Begay of the Maidu Tribe in Northern California described how she feels Haaland and Davis will change the face of politics, “I will go to the grave saying that Native equality and intense discrimination is still out there. Just because we aren’t a minority that is featured in famous 2010s movements and hashtags, doesn’t mean that aren’t still fighting every day to receive equal treatment based on our appearance. I am so proud to be here in the United States in 2018 where women of color and minority background are being finally applauded for who they are and the culture they bring to the table.”
Haaland and Davis have shown me that as long as you keep working towards your goals, keeping in mind that success will never be linear, that your background and heritage will never keep you from what you want to achieve. I no longer feel trapped by my culture and what politics have told me what I should and should not do with my life. These two women inspire me, and many others, to see past what past historical moments have said. After speaking to friends of all colors and cultural backgrounds Haaland and Davis inspired them in the same way that I felt. Haaland and Davis have forever changed the face of Native American women in politics.