The US election is fast approaching but the US is divided ahead of the November 5 election. It is more or less completely even in public opinion at the same time as the election is edged by two assassination attempts on Donald Trump.
And not even among the indigenous peoples of the United States is it obvious which of the candidates they are advocating.
– I would say that indigenous voters are often Democrats and lean in the liberal direction, we see that all over the country. But in some states, it looks different for the indigenous voters, like in Oklahoma. They are often more conservative in that state. In Alaska, we also see more conservative voters who support Trump, says Pauly Denetclaw to SVT Sápmi.
Several indigenous candidates
She is a political reporter for Indian Country Today (ICT) and she covers both the presidential election but also the state elections and indigenous candidates running for Congress.
Ahead of this year’s election, there are four indigenous candidates aiming to be re-elected. Among others, Tom Cole, who is the longest-serving indigenous representative in the US Congress. The other three are Josh Burkeen, Sharisa Davids and Mary Mary Peltola.
– It is very interesting when it comes to indigenous issues here in the US, many of the politicians who care extra about indigenous issues in Congress are Republicans who raise challenges that indigenous nations face.
According to Denetclaw, it is largely the same issues that engage indigenous voters as voters in the United States at large. They want broadband expansion, roads and electricity, she states.
Criticism of both Harris and Trump
But both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris have received criticism from indigenous representatives over the years.
– When Trump was president, many indigenous nations had problems when it came to communication with the administration, says Pauly Denetclaw.
She continues:
– Trump opposed the protection of sacred sites, he withdrew protection in many places and allowed oil and gas companies to exploit the areas.
When Joe Biden became president, indigenous issues were raised more on the agenda. But despite that, there are also issues around Harris that worry the indigenous people.
– When she was state attorney in California, she sent a letter to the Secretary of the Interior objecting to land being turned over for management and becoming independent territories for indigenous nations. She has said she sent the letters on the order of the then governor.