Pauly Denetclaw
ICT
CHICAGO — The scenes outside compared to inside the United Center couldn’t have been more different on Thursday night, the final day of the Democratic National Convention. Uncommitted delegates, some of whom are Palestinian, were in tears and holding each other. After days of advocacy at the convention, it was final, their request to have a Palestinian-American address the convention to talk about the death, hunger and violence happening in Gaza was denied.
The 30 uncommitted delegates were there to represent the hundreds of thousands of voters who cast their ballots as a protest to show the Democratic Party they did not agree with the Biden administration’s stance on the Israel-Gaza War.
Simultaneously, the vast majority of the Democratic delegates were inside the convention celebrating and cheering. The momentum of the speakers was building in preparation for Vice President Kamala Harris to officially become the first Black woman, the first South Asian person, and the first woman of color to become the presidential nominee of a major political party.
As Harris outlined her stance for American voters on the Israel-Gaza War, she said sternly, looking forward into the at-capacity crowd, that she will always support Israel’s right to defend itself.
A handful of people in the crowd could be overheard yelling, “Free Palestine.” Their voices were quickly drowned out by cheers and chants, a common strategy used throughout the week when pro-Palestine demonstrators tried to disrupt speakers at the caucus and council meetings.
“USA! USA! USA!” the crowd chanted.
Harris didn’t condemn the violence in Gaza, where Palestinian health authorities have reported that over 40,000 people have died, instead describing the violence as “devastating,” and “heartbreaking.” Harris reiterated her support for a ceasefire deal that would end Israel’s attacks on Gaza, and release the remaining Israeli hostages held by Hamas, a Palestinian militant group.
But will this be enough for Indigenous voters?
The Israel-Gaza War is an important issue to Indigenous voters because of the similarities between Israel’s occupation of Palestine, and the United States’ colonization of Native lands. Many of the Indigenous delegates, attendees, and elected officials at the convention were showing their support for Palestine by wearing a keffiyeh, a Ceasefire Delegate pin, Not Another Bomb pin, or a Democrats for Palestinian Rights stole.
A keffiyeh is a scarf typically worn by men in some parts of the Middle East. It has now become a symbol of support for Palestinian liberation.
“It’s a complicated issue, and I hate that answer, but the fact that the genocide that we faced as people — and Pequot was ground zero with a massacre in 1637, and that effort was replicated across Indian Country for the following centuries. We know a little something about it,” said Rodney Butler, chairman of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation.
“The Middle East conflict itself has been going on for generations, and so it’s not an easy solution, but what’s happening today just can’t be acceptable,” Butler added.
Some Indigenous activists and organizations have also called for a permanent ceasefire, and embargo on arms to Israel.
Indigenous perspectives from the DNC
It was the first night of the convention and April Ignacio, an Arizona delegate, was making her way around the packed floor. She had just met CNN’s Jake Tapper and MSNBC’s Joy Reid — the people who keep her up-to-date on American politics.
“It’s amazing being able to explain I’m Native American and I watch your show. I appreciate your commentary, and sometimes I don’t agree with all of them, but I appreciate your voice,” Ignacio said.
The United Center was roaring with conversations, and made it challenging to hear. People brushed shoulders with Ignacio, Tohono O’odham Nation, as they walked past her because there was little room to maneuver around the convention floor.
She was part of a small group of people who were wearing a Democrats for Palestinian Rights stole.
“As a Native American, understanding the genocide that occurred here in the United States, and then we’re watching a genocide happen in real time on cable news and all media outlets, that even if I’m the only one, it’s a time to be bold,” Ignacio said.
Ignacio did acknowledge that it was challenging for her to support Harris despite her position on the war.
“I was really struggling because of the war in Palestine. So I’m having to focus on the things that I do like,” she said. “I think that I can stand in solidarity with Palestine, and I can still show up for the first African American woman president — to elect the first. Those things are not mutually exclusive.”
There is discourse online slamming the Native left for continuing to support the Democratic Party.
Gila River Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis is also in support of a ceasefire. He hopes that despite the policy differences that young voters and those passionate about standing in solidarity with Palestine still cast their ballots for Harris on Nov. 5.
“We hope that they make those right decisions, that they see that voting is such an important both individual act, but as Native Americans, a collective act,” Lewis said. “With very important ramifications on treaty rights, on self determination, on tribal sovereignty itself.”
Lewis also talked about the history of voting rights for Native Americans and the policies that became laws when Indigenous people weren’t considered citizens.
“For the Gila River Indian Community, our water was stolen from us over 150 years ago,” Lewis said. “Over 150 years ago, we did not have the right to vote. We weren’t even citizens. We didn’t even have standing to fight in the courts. And so our elders see that. They see the importance of voting.”
“When we vote — and we have to vote — it’s about Indian Country, not going back,” he added. “Not going back to the time when there was not a respect for trust responsibility, before the Indian Child Welfare Act, and it goes on and on and on.”
During the convention, U.S. Rep. Sharice Davids told ICT she supports a peaceful resolution but did not mention the word ceasefire.
“What I want to see is, of course, peace,” Davids, Ho-Chunk, said. “It’s heartbreaking to see everything that’s been going on. Everything from October 7, and the atrocities we saw there to all the countless people who have died since then. And my hope is that the negotiations that we’re seeing now. I know Secretary Blinken is over in the Middle East trying to do everything we can to make sure that we come to a peaceful resolution of what is really a heartbreaking situation.”
Alycia Coriz is a local community organizer, former titleholder, and now she works for a Native vote organization. Her friends, relatives and colleagues have gone to Palestine and this has given her a deeper understanding of the issue.
“I do continue to pray that we help, to have our Palestinian relatives return home,” Coriz said. “And just seeing all of the violence and pain from various news outlets like it hurts your heart — whether you’re Indigenous or not. It just hurts your heart as a human to see our fellow mankind in pain.”
Coriz, Kewa Pueblo, hopes the concern of voters on this issue is heard by Harris — considering how close this election is likely to be.
“If we’re saying what’s going to be best for our communities, what’s going to be best for us as a country? They should definitely be listening and taking action that’s going to be able to make a difference — for not only the lives of the Americans, but the impact that the US has globally,” Coriz said. “I just hope that (Harris) listens. Like the grandmas say, ‘better listen.’”
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