Today is Indigenous Peoples’ Day. We at The Brown Girls Guide to Politics want to take this opportunity to highlight four Indigenous women that will be on the general election ballot next month. Each one of these women is a trailblazer in her own right and is opening political doors and opportunities for Indigenous women across the United States.
Sharice is a member of the Ho-Chunk Nation, a Native American tribe in Wisconsin and has lived and worked on Native American reservations, working with tribes to create economic development opportunities, programs, and initiatives. She regularly speaks at conferences as a nationally recognized expert on economic and community development in Native communities.
Peggy Flanagan is a longtime advocate for Minnesota’s children and families, a DFLer, an organizer, and a near-lifelong resident of St. Louis Park. Peggy has served in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2015 representing the communities of St. Louis Park, Golden Valley, Plymouth and Medicine Lake.
Deb is an enrolled member of the Pueblo of Laguna. In 2005, Deb led passage of SB 482 in the New Mexico Legislature, which she authored to allow members of New Mexico Indian tribes in-state tuition at higher education institutions - regardless of their residency. In 2017, Deb partnered with state LGBTQ civil rights leaders to help pass a ban on Conversion Therapy in New Mexico.
As a student at the University of Washington, Paulette discovered a love of local politics and grassroots activism, working with the Seattle City Council and the university’s administration on behalf of fellow students. After graduation, she moved back home to Idaho and became the youngest person elected to the Coeur d’Alene Tribal Council. Paulette went on to work as a business development strategist and to serve as Finance Chair on the Executive Board of the National Indian Gaming Association.
Don’t forget – you can read more posts by our BGG Indigenous contributors on the Blog. Not registered to vote or need to update your voter registration?Visit www.whenweallvote.com
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