Felix Clary
ICT + Tulsa World
TULSA, Okla. – Two Native actors from “Reservation Dogs” visited the River Spirit Casino in Tulsa Monday at the United Indian Nations of Oklahoma Warrior Up to Vote tour.
Actor and comedian Tatanka Means performed a comedy sketch for the visitors before reminding them to register to vote. Means is of Oglala Lakota, Omaha, Yankton Dakota, and Diné descent. He’s known for his role in the Martin Scorceses film “Killers of the Flower Moon,” and his appearance in season two, episode five of Sterlin Harjo’s hit comedy series “Reservation Dogs.”
Zhan McClarnon, Lakota, is famously known for his role of Officer Big in “Reservation Dogs,” as well as his role of Joe Leaphorn Graham Rolan’s TV series “Dark Winds” and his appearances in the Marvel series “Echo.”
McClarnon gave a speech at the event about the importance of Native voting.
“That Indian voices matter,” McClarnon said. “Our voices as Indian people do matter in these elections. So get out there and vote. Please register the vote.”
He said that within a 100 mile radius of Tulsa, there are more Native people than anywhere else in the United States, so the Native vote in Oklahoma would be impactful.
For the past two decades, Oklahoma’s voter turnout rate has been around 55 percent. Fourteen percent of Oklahoma’s population identifies as Native American, with two of the largest tribes–Muscogee and Cherokee–having reservations in the greater Tulsa area.
Less than 20 percent of Muscogee Nation citizens were registered to vote this year as of June 1. In 2021, the Cherokee Nation estimated that 45,000 Cherokee citizens were registered to vote, a significant increase over previous years but still amounting to around 150,000 Cherokee citizens not registered to vote in the state.
McClarnon also mentioned that 2024 is the 100th anniversary of the Snyder Act that helped Native citizens gain the right to vote.
“This year, it’s 100 years now that Indian people can vote. And it’s important that we make an impact, with our communities, and get out there to vote. I’m going to keep saying that,” he said. He ended his speech with a play on his catch phrase from “Reservation Dogs.” “Everybody, get out there and register and vote: don’t be a shitass.”
United Indian Nations of Oklahoma’s Executive Officer Margo Gray presented both actors with medallions at the event.
This story is co-published by the Tulsa World and ICT, a news partnership that covers Indigenous communities in the Oklahoma area.
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