FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 9, 2020
Rock the Vote Native Style hosts Indigenous Peoples’ Day events in Bemidji and the Twin Cities
Minneapolis, MN—Monday, Oct. 12 is Indigenous Peoples’ Day in Minnesota, and Rock the Vote Native Style is observing the day by participating in community events in Bemidji and the Twin Cities:
| Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Hosted by Rock the Vote Native Style and 7th Generation |
The Native Symposium – We’re Still Here
Hosted by Native Roots Radio |
In the U.S. and across Minnesota, the stakes of elections have never been higher. That’s why MN350 has launched Rock the Vote Native Style, a Native-led campaign in Northern Minnesota to support voter education and mobilization, and empower Indigenous communities to make their voices heard in the 2020 election on critical issues like racial and climate justice.
“We are seeing an increase in voter engagement in our communities,” said Sheila Lamb, Ojibwe leader and MN350 board member. “They’re voting to get Indigenous people in office. They’re voting to get people who have a moral compass and who care about the future and the environment. That vote gives you a voice. When you join all those voices, that’s where we build power. It’s empowering.”
Political and voter participation in Native American communities has surged over the past decade. In the 2018 midterms, two states sent the first Native American women to the U.S. Congress, and Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan became the second Native American woman to be elected to statewide executive office in U.S. history.
“Natives are stepping up and hearing their call. We see how important this is to our friends and relatives in this state,” said Robert Pilot, member of Ho-Chunk Nation, MN350 board member and host of Native Roots Radio. “Standing Rock really fanned the flames of Native activism all over Turtle Island. The new generation, the seventh generation we always talk about Native-wise, is standing up. This is the generation that’s going to step up in record numbers.”
Rock the Vote Native Style and the organizers at MN350 advocate for strong climate leadership across Minnesota and to center solutions to the climate crisis that come from the frontline communities most affected.
“MN350 has always made it clear that they value the leadership of Native American folks,” said Nicole Ektnitphong, Statewide Organizing Director for MN350. “In the fight for climate justice, we need the voices of those most affected to be leading this work. We won’t be able to enact the progress we want to see happen in Minnesota without partnership with Indigenous communities.”
Interviews with Rock the Vote Native Style and MN350 organizers are available onsite at the Indigenous Peoples’ Day events or by request.
MEDIA CONTACTS
Brett Benson
brett@mn350.org | 651-368-1226
Meredith Kessler
mkessler@tunheim.com | 651-308-6224
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ABOUT
MN350 is a statewide group with 20,000 supporters working to make Minnesota a national leader in a just transition to a clean energy economy. MN350 Action is its political and advocacy arm.
Rock the Vote Native Style, a Minnesota campaign led entirely by Native American leaders and organizers, advocates for Native voter education and mobilization to empower communities to make their voices heard on climate justice.
