How a Harris-Walz administration would impact Native people
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Kalle Benallie
ICT
While Election Day is imminent and polls have the presidential race too close to predict, Indigenous voters may be wondering what policies the presidential candidates have in store for them. ICT spoke to sources who gave us an idea about Kamala Harris’ and Tim Walz’s plans for Indian Country.
Jade Begay, the Harris-Walz campaign Native American Engagement director, said Native voters don’t often necessarily align as either Democrat or Republican. They gravitate toward the candidates who support tribal sovereignty and self-determination.
“Vice President Kamala Harris and Gov. Tim Walz have and will continue to safeguard and strengthen the bonds between our nations, uphold our trust and treaty obligations, honor tribal sovereignty and ensure tribal self-determination,” said Begay, Diné and Tesuque Pueblo. “I can tell you that does not exist on the other side. The other side does not care about our people.”
While former President Donald Trump has not established a program to engage Native voters, he made a promise in September that he would federally recognize the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. In 2019, the Trump administration issued an executive order to establish a task force on Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives. He has accused the Biden administration of not being helpful for Indigenous communities.
Although Harris’ record of Indigenous issues have been mixed, she has made strides recently for Indigenous voters. She chose Walz as her running mate, who has a strong record working with tribal nations with the help of Minnesota Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, White Earth Nation. Harris recently launched the national organizing program Native Americans for Harris-Walz with Begay leading.
Begay mentioned past examples of Harris’ efforts to help Native Americans such as the return of the Tribal Nations Summit at the White House that the Biden administration enacted after the Trump administration halted the event during his term.
Jade Begay, Diné and citizen of Tesuque Pueblo, serves on the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council. (Courtesy photo)
The Harris-Walz campaign
Jordan James Harvill, Advance Native Political Leadership’s national program director, said Harris has made historic investments in Indian Country and created leadership appointments in her campaign.
“Not just coming out of the tailwind of the Biden administration, but really Harris has structurally set herself up to be a leader for Indian Country,” the Cherokee and Choctaw citizen said.
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Begay noted some of Harris-Walz policies that could directly impact Indigenous voters, including plans to help boost small businesses by offering $50,000 tax credits for new business owners that qualify.
Some Indigenous people partake in the small business sector like food truck owners, beadworkers or ribbon skirt makers, Begay said.
Harris-Walz plans to lower costs for families, notably reducing high grocery costs, which disproportionately affect Indigenous communities. The Harris-Walz campaign announced a plan for rural America, including tribal communities, by adding 10,000 health care professionals, expanding telemedicine and cutting the number of ambulance deserts in half.
The Trump campaign has released its own agenda called Project 2025, which has been criticized for its impact on rural communities.
Finally, the Harris-Walz campaign hopes to address climate issues. Fox13 in Seattle reported that many Indigenous leaders in the Pacific Northwest say environmental issues are a top priority in the Nov. 5 election.
Similar to Harris, Walz’s record on Indigenous issues is not perfect. Walz voted to complete the construction of the Keystone XL oil pipeline, Politico reported. And some environmentalists pushed unsuccessfully for the governor’s administration to halt proposed mining development in Minnesota. Still, he was an advocate for car pollution standards.
However, tribal leaders are not deterred. The Harris-Walz campaign released a statement that more than 70 tribal and Native American leaders endorse Harris as president.
Begay said the Native Americans for Harris-Walz program’s goal is to organize and uplift the work of tribal citizens, leaders and organizations that has already been done and provide support to them.
“The importance of all this work is that the Native vote is critical to a victory in November, and we need to be working hand in hand with grassroots organizers because that's who we trust. We're building relationships, building partnerships with those organizers on the grounds and making sure that they have what they need to do their work, will ensure that we continue to grow and ensure a strong voter turnout,” she said.
Editor’s Note: Jade Begay is a climate advisor for ICT.
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