Indian Gaming Association Chairman Ernie Stevens, Jr., joined the United Indian Nations of Oklahoma (UINO) “Warrior Up to Vote” Candidate Forum at the River Spirit Casino Resort in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Stevens attended the meeting to join the Oklahoma tribal leadership “in igniting the importance of the Native Vote in Oklahoma in the upcoming National Election on November 5th,” according to an IGA statement.
Stevens said: “We are proud to collaborate with multiple sister organizations to amplify and elevate the voices of Indian Country and ensure tribal concerns are prominently featured in the national conversation.”
“This collective effort culminates in an innovative voter registration campaign to mobilize Native Americans nationwide, fostering greater participation in the electoral process.”
Stevens praised the efforts of UINO in their voter registration initiatives, particularly highlighting the Warrior Up to Vote campaign. He added: “This event is simply outstanding and reflects the passion we all share for participating in the upcoming election. I wholeheartedly commend UINO for their incredible advocacy and outreach in empowering our communities to get to the polls.”
Margo Gray, Executive Director of UINO, said: “We are committed to mobilizing the Native vote like never before. With the support of our tribal leaders, we can reach more Natives than ever, and we can make our collective voices more impactful than ever.”
Stevens participated alongside fellow leaders from National Indian organizations and the UINO leadership in a panel discussion titled “Tribal Sovereignty 101.” This dialogue underscored the significance of elections and examined how the legislative landscape directly affects Indian Country.
Notable panelists included Larry Wright, Jr., Executive Director of the National Congress of American Indians; Ben Barns, Chief of the Shawnee Tribe and Chairman of UINO; and David Hill, Principal Chief of the Muscogee Nation and UINO Secretary. Together, these leaders emphasized the vital role of informed voting in shaping policies that impact their communities.
Stevens shared: “In these upcoming elections on November 5th, we must understand the profound importance of the Native American vote, which extends beyond our immediate communities and profoundly impacts the very fabric of our democracy.”
He further stated: “Our greatest challenge continues to be protecting and promoting tribal sovereignty. Therefore, it is crucial for us to engage our communities to elect candidates who understand and respect our treaties and advocate for our unique needs and rights. These candidates must prioritize our voices and concerns in their policies and truly represent us through their actions.”
The day’s agenda also included an Oklahoma Native Caucus discussion and a Candidates Forum, which invited candidates to introduce themselves and field questions from the organizers. It closed with the “Warrior Up to Vote” Rally with notable special guests, Native Actors Tatanka Means and Zahn McClarnon.
The UINO “Warrior Up To Vote” voter registration tour is reaching out to all tribes in Oklahoma through a voter registration drive in September and October to increase voter registration among Native Americans in Oklahoma. This initiative involved visiting every tribal community across the state, ensuring that individuals from all tribes had the opportunity to register to vote.
UINO highlights that Oklahoma currently ranks last in the nation for voter participation and registration, with Native Americans facing some of the lowest rates of voter registration and turnout in the country. Given that tribal citizens make up 13 percent of the state’s population, “the importance of the Warrior Up to Vote campaign cannot be overstated,” IGA highlighted.
