American Indian Report - August 2008 - (Page 13)

“She was born in a traditional way and lives a traditional life. Does this mean her voice doesn’t count?” Peshlakai said. Prior to Prop. 200, Laughter had been able to vote using her thumbprint as proof of citizenship. After the law, “When she went to vote, she was denied, and her voice was silenced,” Peshlakai said. Several hundred Navajo voters part of society and should have the right to speak their voice in the elections.” She is also considered an example to all Navajo citizens and all Americans that they play a role in politics. “As we have seen in close elections, every single vote does count. The Navajo Nation has a great deal of gratitude to Laughter for being Theodore Roosevelt Middle School Ft. Apache, AZ A full service, non-profit day & boarding school. Located in historic Ft. Apache Departmentalized Curriculum with a technology emphasis School is adjacent to dormitory Intramural sports program Fully supervised dormitory 24/7 with evening and weekend activities including: • Swimming • Weekend trips to museums, sports events, cultural events, movies, rodeos, skiing, hiking, fishing, and much more! • Guest Speakers • Fully equipped computer lab • Full meal service open to all middle school students Transportation provided for holiday leave. No tuition fees “She was born in a traditional way and lives a traditional life. Does this mean her voice doesn’t count?” were denied in that election for failure to provide proper identification. In April 2008, a settlement was reached with the state and county, which required the secretary of state to revise its polling place procedures for Native American voters. In May, the Justice Department revised procedures to provide a broader non-exhaustive list of documents that may serve as tribal identification to vote. By stepping forward, Laughter pioneered a way to vote for Navajo people who have lived the traditional life, Peshlakai said. “She stood up to say that they are still courageous enough to fight for her voting rights,” Peshlakai said. The Inter Tribal Council of Arizona created the Frank Harrison and Harry Austin Citizenship Award on the 50th anniversary of the unanimous Arizona Supreme Court decision that recognized Indian voting rights. The late Harrison and Austin, of the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, helped secure the voting rights of American Indians in Arizona. n Contact: Bronson Peshlakai, Navajo Council Office of the Speaker, (928) 871-7160; Web: www.navajonationcouncil.org. Now accepting applications for Spring and Fall Semesters 2008 928-338-4464 August 2008 1 American Indian Report http://www.navajonationcouncil.org http://www.navajonationcouncil.org

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of American Indian Report - August 2008

American Indian Report - August 2008 Contents Notes from Indian Country Congress: Activity from the Hill Navajo Elder Recognized for Fighting for Voting Rights Water Rights — A Long, Hard Battle Well Worth Fighting Native Youth Share Creator’s Game with International Community Rancheria Restores Traditional Ecosystem on Purchased Land Grants: EDA — Investing in Tribal Economic Development Native Eyes Film Showcase Entices Youth into Media BlogRoll

American Indian Report - August 2008

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