Indigenous Democrats
LightNews LightNews
banner
indigenousdems.bsky.social
Indigenous Democrats
@indigenousdems.bsky.social
58 followers 87 following 15 posts
Unofficial group designed to support indigenous Democratic candidates and their allies in 2025 and beyond.
Posts Replies Media Videos
Reposted by Indigenous Democrats
victinibcn.bsky.social
ICE tried to kidnap Elaine Miles an Indigenous woman in Redmond. She showed them her tribal ID card and they still did not believe her. She told them to call the Umatilla Tribal enrollment office but they refused. They even tried to take her phone.

www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
‘Northern Exposure’ actor gave ICE agents in Redmond her tribal ID. They called it ‘fake,’ she says
Indigenous actor Elaine Miles of "Northern Exposure" was detained by ICE at a Redmond bus stop. When she showed them her Tribal ID, they told her it was fake.
www.seattletimes.com
November 27, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Reposted by Indigenous Democrats
aclu.org
In first grade, Logan wore his hair long to connect with his Native culture.

His school demanded he cut it, but after Logan and his family pushed back, the school updated its rules to allow for long hair on boys.

Native students have the right to honor their heritage in their expression.
My Son's Hair is Part of a Thousand-Year-Old Tribal Culture. His School Called it a 'Fad.' | ACLU
The school’s requirement is a rejection of who he is and a demand that he sacrifice his culture and heritage to conform to baseless and unfair rules.
www.aclu.org
November 27, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Reposted by Indigenous Democrats
peggyflanagan.bsky.social
Thanks to @meidastouch.com for having me on to talk about my campaign for Minnesota's open US Senate seat.

We're building an amazing team - join us at PeggyFlanagan.com.
November 26, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Reposted by Indigenous Democrats
johnniejae.bsky.social
Just beyond the grounds of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, Dickinson College’s dedication of the Jim Thorpe Center for the Futures of Native Peoples marks a turning point in how the history of the land is remembered.

redpopnews.com/jim-thorpes-...

#redpopnews #indigisky
Jim Thorpe’s Legacy Lives On Through Dickinson’s New Center for Native Futures
Just beyond the grounds of the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, Dickinson College's dedication of the Jim Thorpe Center for the Futures of Native Peoples marks a turning point in how the history of ...
redpopnews.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:19 AM
Reposted by Indigenous Democrats
democrats.org
Today, we mourn the transgender Americans whose lives were lost to anti-transgender violence.

Democrats believe every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, and to live their life fully and honestly.
Graphic for Transgender Day of Remembrance featuring a lit candle with a blue flame on a dark background, with the event date November 20 displayed at the bottom.
November 20, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Reposted by Indigenous Democrats
indianz.bsky.social
"I’m not a career politician, I’m a builder": Rodney Rave, a citizen of the Ho-Chunk Nation, is running for Congress! He is seeking to represent Wisconsin's 3rd District in the U.S. House of Representatives. #NativeVote #NativeCongress #Wisconsin indianz.com/News/2025/11...
PRESS RELEASE: Ho-Chunk Nation citizen Rodney Rave announces bid for U.S. Congress
“I’m not a career politician, I’m a builder,” said Rodney Rave in launching his campaign to represent Wisconsin’s 3rd District in the U.S. Congress.
indianz.com
November 12, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Reposted by Indigenous Democrats
debhaalandnm.bsky.social
The Trump Administration is once again putting profits over people. He's ignoring communities that worked for decades to protect it. Chaco is not for sale, it's a living landscape, sacred to many and irreplacabe. www.santafenewmexican.com/news/local_n...
Trump administration clearing the way for drilling around Chaco Canyon, N.M. Democrats say
Some lawmakers and Native activists condemned the rollback of Biden-era protections in the so-called "buffer zone."
www.santafenewmexican.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Reposted by Indigenous Democrats
mjsdc.bsky.social
Justice Gorsuch argues that the Supreme Court should overturn precedent that gives Congress near-absolute power over the internal affairs of tribes. Only Justice Thomas—who typically disagrees with Gorsuch on these issues—joins him. www.supremecourt.gov/orders/court...
GORSUCH, J., dissenting SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES QUENTIN VENENO, JR. v. UNITED STATES ON PETITION FOR WRIT OF CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS FOR THE TENTH CIRCUIT No. 24–5191. Decided November 10, 2025 The petition for a writ of certiorari is denied. JUSTICE GORSUCH, with whom JUSTICE THOMAS joins, dissenting from the denial of certiorari. Petitioner asks us to grant review in this case to reconsider United States v. Kagama, 118 U. S. 375 (1886). Kagama helped usher into our case law the theory that the federal government enjoys “plenary power” over the internal affairs of Native American Tribes. It is a theory that should make this Court blush. Not only does that notion lack any foundation in the Constitution; its roots lie instead only in archaic prejudices. This Court is responsible for Kagama, and this Court holds the power to correct it. We should not shirk from the task. As “sovereign and independent states,” Native American Tribes have governed their internal affairs “from time immemorial.” Worcester v. Georgia, 6 Pet. 515, 559–561 (1832) (internal quotation marks omitted). Among the sovereign powers Tribes have always enjoyed is the power to redress crimes involving their own peoples. Reflecting as much, a great many Tribes today have courts, not wholly unlike those found in States and counties across the country, open to render justice when one tribal member commits an offense against another on tribal land.
November 10, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Reposted by Indigenous Democrats
johnniejae.bsky.social
Each year, the Bush Prize: Native Nations honors organizations from Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, and the 23 Native Nations that share those homelands. Meet this year's honorees!

redpopnews.com/building-fut...

#redpopnews #bushfoundation #indigisky
Building Futures Rooted in Culture: 2025 Bush Prize Native Nations Honorees Announced
The Bush Prize: Native Nations honors Native-led organizations shaping stronger futures for their communities through creative collaboration and care. They are not new to this work, but have been lead...
redpopnews.com
October 29, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Reposted by Indigenous Democrats
peggyflanagan.bsky.social
It’s time for Democrats to pick the fights that matter.
October 29, 2025 at 11:32 PM
Reposted by Indigenous Democrats
kenmartin.bsky.social
Spoke with voters last night in Lancaster, PA, with my good friend and DNC Vice Chair @malcolmkenyatta.bsky.social.

We’ve got 5 days to go until Election Day! Vote for @retainwecht.bsky.social, @retaindonohue.bsky.social, and @retaindougherty.bsky.social.
DNC Chair Ken Martin posing for a photo with DNC Vice Chair Malcolm Kenyatta. They are holding a sign that reads "VOTE YES RETAIN OUR JUDGES ELECTION DAY | TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4"
October 30, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Reposted by Indigenous Democrats
mjsdc.bsky.social
Washington Supreme Court Justice Mungia has an extraordinary opinion condemning "the underlying racism and prejudices that are woven into the very fabric" of SCOTUS opinions about Native people.

"We must clearly, loudly, and unequivocally state that was wrong.”
www.courts.wa.gov/opinions/pdf...
MUNGIA, J. (concurring)—I concur with the majority’s opinion.1 And yet I dissent. Not from the majority’s opinion, but I dissent from the racism embedded in the federal case law that applies to this dispute. FEDERAL INDIAN LAW IS A PRODUCT OF THE RACIST BELIEFS ENDEMIC IN OUR SOCIETY AND OUR LEGAL SYSTEM While it is certainly necessary to follow federal case law on issues involving Native American tribes and their members, at the same time it is important to call out that the very foundations of those opinions were based on racism and white supremacy. By doing this, readers of our opinions will have no doubt that the current court disavows, and condemns, those racist sentiments, beliefs, and statements. Since the founding of our country, the federal government has characterized Native Americans as “savages”: They were “uncivilized.” They had little claim to the land upon which they lived. At times, the federal government attempted to eradicate Native Americans through genocidal policies. At other times, the federal government employed ethnic cleansing by forcibly removing children from their parents’ homes to strip them from their culture, their language, and their beings.2 Federal Indian case law arises from those racist underpinnings. The majority correctly cites to Cherokee Nation v. Georgia, 30 U.S. (5 Pet.) 1, 8 L. Ed. 25 (1831), which is one of the foundational cases involving tribal sovereignty. That opinion is rife with racist attitudes toward Native Americans. Chief Justice John Marshall, writing for the majority, describes a tribe’s relationship to the federal government as one of “ward to his guardian.” Id. at 17. In effect, the opinion presents tribal members as children, and the federal government as the adult. That theme would follow in later opinions by the United States Supreme Court—as would the theme of white supremacy. Cherokee Nation began with the premise that Native American tribes, once strong and powerful, were no match for the white race and so found themselves “gradually sinking beneath our superior policy, our arts and our arms.” Id. at 15. The white man was considered the teacher, the Native Americans the pupils: Meanwhile they are in a state of pupilage. Their relation to the United States resembles that of a ward to his guardian. Id. at 17. This characterization of superior to inferior, teacher to student, guardian to ward, was repeated in later United States Supreme Court opinions. In Lone Wolf v. Hitchcock, 187 U.S. 553, 23 S. Ct. 216, 47 L. Ed. 299 (1903), often characterized as the “American Indian Dred Scott,” 3 the Court used that rationale to justify ruling that the United States could break its treaties with Native American tribes. These Indian tribes are the wards of the nation. They are communities dependent on the United States. Dependent largely for their daily food. Dependent for their political rights. . . . From their very weakness and helplessness . . . there arises the duty of protection, and with it the power. Id. at 567 (quoting United States v. Kagama, 118 U.S. 375, 383-84, 6 S. Ct. 1109, 30 L. Ed. 228 (1886)). Our court also carries the shame of denigrating Native Americans by using that same characterization: “The Indian was a child, and a dangerous child, of nature, to be both protected and restrained.” State v. Towessnute, 89 Wash. 478, 482, 154 P. 805 (1916), judgment vacated and opinion repudiated by 197 Wn.2d 574, 486 P.3d 111 (2020). 3 See A Returning to Cherokee Nation, Justice William Johnson’s separate opinion was less tempered in how he considered the various Native American tribes: I cannot but think that there are strong reasons for doubting the applicability of the epithet state, to a people so low in the grade of organized society as our Indian tribes most generally are. Cherokee Nation, 30 U.S. at 21. Native Americans were not to be treated as “equals to equals” but, instead, the United States was the conqueror and Native Americans the conquered. Id. at 23. In discussing Native Americans, Justice Johnson employed another racist trope used by judges both before and after him: Native Americans were uncivilized savages. [W]e have extended to them the means and inducement to become agricultural and civilized. . . . Independently of the general influence of humanity, these people were restless, warlike, and signally cruel. . . . . But I think it very clear that the constitution neither speaks of them as states or foreign states, but as just what they were, Indian tribes . . . which the law of nations would regard as nothing more than wandering hordes, held together only by ties of blood and habit, and having neither laws or government, beyond what is required in a savage state. Id. at 23, 27-28. This same characterization was used by Justice Stanley Matthews in Ex parte KanGi-Shun-Ca (otherwise known as Crow Dog), 109 U.S. 556, 3 S. Ct. 396, 27 L. Ed. 1030 (1883). Justice Matthews described Native Americans as leading a savage life.
October 10, 2025 at 5:29 PM
indigenousdems.bsky.social
Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Graham Greene (Oneida).
September 2, 2025 at 5:31 AM
Reposted by Indigenous Democrats
indigenousdems.bsky.social
If elected, Chris, an enrolled member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, would be one of a small handful of tribal members who serve as a county-level executive.
electroberts.bsky.social Chris Roberts @electroberts.bsky.social · Jul 1
I’m excited to announce that I am running for King County Assessor.

We need to restore fairness, equity, and integrity to the office.

I have the leadership experience and proven commitment to transparency and accountability needed to help people across King County.

www.electroberts.com
Chris Roberts for Assessor logo
July 2, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Reposted by Indigenous Democrats
aclu.org
NEW: We're suing to challenge the unfair system for electing commissioners in Chouteau County, Montana.

Under the current at-large system, everyone in the county votes for all 3 commissioners, instead of voting by district. This leaves Native voters unable to elect a candidate of their choice.
August 15, 2025 at 12:11 AM
Reposted by Indigenous Democrats
johnniejae.bsky.social
I've been working on the mascot issue in various ways my entire life but more formally since around 2012. In massive numbers, Natives from citizens, organizations to entire tribal nations have organized and filed lawsuits, created policy changes on local and state levels to #ChangetheName.
yasharali.bsky.social Yashar Ali 🐘 @yasharali.bsky.social · Jul 20
My dude is dealing with all the critical issues.
Donald J. Trump @ € @realDonald Trump The Washington "Whatever's" should IMMEDIATELY change their name back to the Washington Redskins Football Team. There is a big clamoring for this. Likewise, the Cleveland Indians, one of the six original baseball teams, with a storied past. Our great Indian people, in massive numbers, want this to happen. Their heritage and prestige is systematically being taken away from them. Times are different now than they were three or four years ago. We are a Country of passion and common sense. OWNERS, GET IT DONE!!! 30 ReTruths 88 Likes
July 20, 2025 at 11:02 PM
Reposted by Indigenous Democrats
democrats.org
Today marks six months since Trump took office. His “accomplishments”:

—Prices for household goods are skyrocketing
—Businesses have been forced to plan for recession
—300+ rural hospitals are at risk of shutting down
—22 million working families could lose some or all of their food benefits
July 20, 2025 at 1:45 PM
indigenousdems.bsky.social
The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe worked tirelessly to restore the river, removing a dam, and saw salmon and other life return.

This incident is heartbreaking and devastating.
July 20, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Reposted by Indigenous Democrats
kenmartin.bsky.social
There’s no such thing as an off-year. We have critical elections coming up across the country, and today I joined New Jersey Dems to knock on doors for @mikiesherrill.bsky.social and candidates across the ballot.

If you want to help make a difference in your community, text FIGHT to 43367.
DNC Chair Ken Martin standing outside of a house in Neptune Township, NJ, holding canvassing materials. He is wearing a blue button-down shirt and khakis.
July 11, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Reposted by Indigenous Democrats
johnniejae.bsky.social
A little history lesson, in 1924 (the year we were granted US citizenship), there were roughly only 250K-300K Natives left in the US out of millions. Not surprising the US gov. and a lot of White folks don't believe they killed enough cuz WE ARE STILL HERE.

Our survival is their greatest failure.
Screenshot of Ann Coulter replying to a tweet with "We didn't kill enough Indians"
July 7, 2025 at 3:29 AM
Reposted by Indigenous Democrats
maggieblackhawk.bsky.social
I rarely comment on these things, but these are unusual times. 249 years ago the Declaration called Natives "Merciless Indian Savages.," and the Constitution excluded us from protection while enabling our dispossession. We remember this history not to cause harm, but to grasp the consequences./1
Ann Coulter commenting that "We (meaning the U.S., presumably) did not kill enough Indians."
July 7, 2025 at 1:16 PM
indigenousdems.bsky.social
The bill passed by Republicans in Congress is not good for Indian Country either.
kenmartin.bsky.social Ken Martin @kenmartin.bsky.social · Jul 3
Today, Donald Trump and the Republican party sent a message to America:

If you are not a billionaire, we don’t give a damn about you.
A statement graphic from DNC Chair Ken Martin reading, “Today, Donald Trump and the Republican party sent a message to America: if you are not a billionaire, we don’t give a damn about you. Health care. Basic food benefits. Dignity in old age. These are the values that Republicans have abandoned to give their billionaire friends another tax handout. This massive scheme to steal from working families, children, and seniors will devastate communities in blue and red states alike. We know the numbers: 17 million Americans will lose health care, over 5 million will lose food assistance, and millions will lose their jobs. But we must also know the stories: Had this bill passed when I was growing up, I would not be here today. Republicans may see Americans’ livelihoods as ‘immaterial’ — joking ‘we are all going to die’ and telling petrified Americans to ‘get over it’ — but that doesn’t change the hell they are unleashing on America’s families. While the GOP continues to cash their billionaire donors’ checks, their constituents will starve, lose critical medical care, lose their jobs — and yes, some will die as a result of this bill. Democrats are mobilizing and will fight back to make sure everybody knows exactly who is responsible for one of the worst bills in our nation’s history.”
July 3, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Reposted by Indigenous Democrats
peggyflanagan.bsky.social
I'm not fighting back to a draw. That’s not enough. I'm working for a future where billionaires pay their fair share and families can afford their lives.

We have 16 months to organize a grassroots movement that can flip the Senate. Let’s start today.
July 3, 2025 at 7:04 PM
Reposted by Indigenous Democrats
amyechos.bsky.social
Stephanie Bice, Congressional District 5 Rep. just voted to cut Medicaid (that’s SoonerCare to you) and SNAP and food assistance programs that help feed hungry kids. 1 in 4 Oklahomans rely on SoonerCare and 1 in 6 rely on SNAP.
July 3, 2025 at 7:49 PM
indigenousdems.bsky.social
If elected, Chris, an enrolled member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, would be one of a small handful of tribal members who serve as a county-level executive.
electroberts.bsky.social Chris Roberts @electroberts.bsky.social · Jul 1
I’m excited to announce that I am running for King County Assessor.

We need to restore fairness, equity, and integrity to the office.

I have the leadership experience and proven commitment to transparency and accountability needed to help people across King County.

www.electroberts.com
Chris Roberts for Assessor logo
July 2, 2025 at 12:09 AM