John,

50 years ago today, Native peoples came together in solidarity at Wounded Knee, South Dakota: the site where U.S. troops massacred hundreds of Lakota people in 1890.

I was in South Dakota in 1973-1974 after the National Guard and armed FBI agents swarmed in and set off a 71-day armed standoff which sparked a new level of Native activism which has a continuing impact on our vision of a democratic society in which sovereignty is guaranteed.

I worked in Porcupine to help collect evidence to defend the hundreds of Native people indicted with criminal charges and political imprisonment for standing up for sovereignty. Those Lakota warriors, men and women, inspired an entire generation of warriors for justice.

Then and now, Native communities in the U.S. face voter suppression and discrimination that restricts our ability to exercise our right to vote. That’s why we’re calling on Congress to pass the Native American Voting Rights Act. Click here to add your name and demand Congress act.

Back then, South Dakota was called the “Mississippi of the North,” referring to racist violence and voter suppression. But 50 years later, South Dakota and other states are still restricting our right to vote.

In fact, since the historic Native voter turnout in 2020, 19 states have passed 33 laws restricting the right to vote. As of today, 32 states have introduced 150 restrictive laws. And, in South Dakota, a lawsuit was introduced opposing a state redistricting plan that would blatantly dilute the ability for Native representation in government -- in violation of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

We’re fighting back by building Native political power, with a renewed call for sovereignty and Indigenous rights, including voting rights.

Add your name to demand Congress pass the Native American Voting Rights Act now!

Together, we’re fighting back against unrelenting attacks on our democratic rights and sovereignty.

Hawwih (thank you),

Judith Le Blanc (Caddo)
Executive Director