Kalle Benallie
ICT
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has been chosen as Kamala Harris’ Vice President pick in her run for president of the United States.
Walz was among roughly a handful of serious candidates considered since President Joe Biden decided in July not to seek reelection and endorse Harris. Now, the governor joins Harris and the Democratic Party in a race against former President Donald Trump and JD Vance. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5.
Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison said Harris received enough votes from Democratic delegates to become the party’s nominee for president. Harris will officially secure the nomination via a virtual roll call vote soon in what appears to be only a formality. The Democratic National Convention starts Monday, August. 19.
Walz could have significant ramifications for Indigenous people.
Securing the Native vote was crucial for Joe Biden’s campaign in 2020, especially for battleground states like Arizona, Nevada and Wisconsin. Walz could help bring the 11 federally recognized tribes in Minnesota on board with Harris. He has a proven record of working with Native people. Selecting White Earth Nation citizen Peggy Flanagan as his lieutenant governor years ago ranks high on that list.
Walz has received support from a number of tribal leaders from Minnesota tribes: Prairie Island Indian Community, Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, Lower Sioux Indian Community, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community.
Cathy Chavers, chairman of Bois Forte Band of Chippewa, said in an email that she’s ecstatic that Walz was picked.
“I feel that Governor Walz has accomplished so much for the state of Minnesota in regard to Native American issues, bringing our issues to the table and forefront plus leading the country in recognizing the sovereignty of all tribes and the ability to work across party lines,” she said. “Minnesota has been so proactive regarding addressing the disparities of tribes that we finally are being at the table instead of being invisible for years.”
Michael Fairbanks, chairman of the White Earth Nation, posted photos with Harris and Walz on his Facebook page.
Former president Barack Obama posted a statement on X his support for Walz.
“By selecting Tim Wall to be her vice president from a pool of outstanding Democrats, Kamala Harris has chosen an ideal partner — and made it clear exactly what she stands for,” Obama said.
Walz’s history with tribes in Minnesota is to be noted since assuming office in 2019. He was the first governor to visit all 11 tribes in the state. He helped require all Minnesota state agencies to have regular consultation about issues that impact tribes, creating an office of tribe-state relations within the governor’s office, transferring over 1,000 acres of land back to the Yellow Medicine people of the Upper Sioux Community – Pezihutazizi Oyate, prohibiting Native Americans or traditions used in sports, requiring and protecting Indigenous children’s access to their culture, language and tribal identities, rejecting non-tribal gaming expansion without tribal approval and establishing a state office for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives.
In his official bio, Walz served nearly 25 years in the National Guard, reaching the rank of command sergeant major. He taught high school students for two decades and was a football coach. He also represented Minnesota’s First Congressional District for six terms.
He and his wife, Gwen, have two children.
Walz’s history with tribes in Minnesota is to be noted since assuming office in 2019. He was the first governor to visit all 11 tribes in the state. He helped require all Minnesota state agencies to have regular consultation about issues that impact tribes, creating an office of tribe-state relations within the governor’s office, transferring over 1,000 acres of land back to the Yellow Medicine people of the Upper Sioux Community – Pezihutazizi Oyate, prohibiting Native Americans or traditions used in sports, requiring and protecting Indigenous children’s access to their culture, language and tribal identities, rejecting non-tribal gaming expansion without tribal approval and establishing a state office for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives.
Flanagan said in an interview with MinnPost that she has been honored to have served the people of Minnesota.
If Walz is chosen, Flanagan would assume the governor’s office until term. She would become the first female governor of the state of Minnesota and the first female Native American governor of any state.
She has also expressed her support on X for Harris through an organizing and fundraising call from Native women and the Two Spirit community.
Flanagan said in an interview with ICT on July 23 that she and Walz would do what it takes to elect Harris as president.
“I’ve really been fortunate to have worked side by side with Tim Walz and I know what kind of leader he is. I also know that when I accepted the role of being his running mate and as lieutenant governor, if I’m called to be the next governor of Minnesota, I will absolutely answer that call…”
The ICT Newscast spoke with Harris in a 2023 interview about Native Americans in the administration and the importance of partnerships with Native nations.
“Let’s ask tribal leaders to be part of the leadership of an initiative and innovative initiative,” Harris said. “We feel very strongly that that is the appropriate way to do our work. … Partnership should be always grounded in full appreciation and respect for tribal sovereignty, always grounded in full appreciation and respect for the need to ensure and keep intact trust, and treaties.”
Securing a vice presidential nominee who has a strong tie to Indigenous communities could benefit Harris’ mixed record regarding Indigenous issues and tribal sovereignty as California’s attorney general, U.S. senator, and as vice president.
Check back for updates on this developing story at ictnews.org.
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