Native entertainers Zahn McClarnon and Tatanka Means have been announced as special guests at the Warrior Up to Vote Rally on Sept. 30 at River Spirit Casino Resort in Tulsa. Both are widely recognized in Indian Country for their activism and contributions to Native representation in the entertainment industry.
The Warrior Up to Vote Rally on Sept. 30 is a full day of activities promoting the Native vote, beginning with a Sovereignty 101 Summit in the morning, followed by a candidate forum in the afternoon. The day ends with a rally featuring special guests McClarnon and Means, two of the most recognizable figures in Native media today. UINO’s efforts are pivotal as the group seeks to inspire Native communities across Oklahoma to register and vote for pro-tribal sovereignty issues.
McClarnon and Means’ participation in the Warrior Up to Vote Rally comes at a crucial time, as the state of Oklahoma recently purged more than 450,000 registrations from its voter rolls during “routine maintenance” conducted every other year under state law. With 2.38 million voter registrations on file, this year’s purge represented nearly 20 percent of those registrations. The most significant portion, almost 195,000, consisted of individuals who had not voted in at least four consecutive general election cycles, typically spanning eight years. The deadline to register for the Nov. 5 general election is Oct. 11. This means citizens who were removed from the rolls, have never been registered or need to update their information have approximately two weeks to register, renew, or update their voter status in time to vote in the November general election.
Oklahoma’s biennial practice of purging voter rolls reinforces the urgent need for Native communities to check their voter registration. The Warrior Up to Vote Rally will address this issue head-on, providing motivation and resources to boost voter participation.
“We cannot afford to have our voices silenced by bureaucratic processes,” said Ben Barnes, UINO Chairperson and Chief of the Shawnee Tribe. “The recent voter purge in Oklahoma is alarming, but it’s a stark reminder of how critical it is for Native people to ensure they are registered voters. Our sovereignty, our representation, and our futures are at stake. We must stand up, united as Natives, and Warrior Up to Vote.”
The second biannual Warrior Up to Vote event is an unprecedented statewide initiative to increase voter registration among Native Americans in Oklahoma. Oklahoma ranks 50th in voter participation and registration, and Native Americans in the United States have some of the country’s lowest voter registration and turnout rates. With tribal citizens comprising 13 percent of Oklahoma’s population, Warrior Up to Vote aims to change that among Oklahoma’s 38 federally recognized tribes.
“Native American representation in media is more prominent than ever, with films like Killers of the Flower Moon and television shows like Reservation Dogs and Dark Winds. We hope bringing performers like Zahn McClarnon and Tatanka Means to our September 30 voter registration rally and candidate forum will capture the attention of our Tribal communities,” said Margo Gray (Osage), Executive Director of UINO. “We’re willing to do whatever it takes to get Natives of all ages and backgrounds to our rally to register to vote and hear the candidates’ positions on the issues.”
UINO received a grant from the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), which helps UINO educate and increase Native American voting. UINO’s Warrior Up to Vote Tour kicked off with the support of nine tribes in Miami, Oklahoma, on Sept. 23. The tour continues with stops throughout Oklahoma’s Tribal nations through Oct. 5. With the support of tribal leaders, UINO is setting up informational booths at tribal headquarters, health centers and other tribal facilities.
By registering Native American voters, UINO will empower tribal communities in Oklahoma to influence critical policy issues in Indian Country, such as economic development, criminal justice, health care, and education.
In addition to the voter registration drive, UINO will host additional programming in conjunction with the Sept. 30 Warrior Up to Vote Rally. Tribal leaders, national Tribal organizations and legal scholars are scheduled as featured speakers at a Tribal Sovereignty 101 Summit the morning of Sept. 30 at River Spirit Casino Resort in Tulsa. A candidates forum featuring municipal, state, and federal candidates will follow in the afternoon. The Warrior Up to Vote Rally caps the day off with Zahn McClarnon and Tatanka Means from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
UINO’s efforts to register tribal citizens to vote are nonpartisan, but candidates’ positions on tribal sovereignty and issues critical to Indian Country are of interest. Candidates at all levels of government are welcome to register for the forum and may RSVP using this link.
The entire two-week tour and schedule of events ends in Ada on Oct. 5 at the Chickasaw Nation Festival.
Key Tour Dates and Events:
- Sept. 23-October 5, 2024: Warrior Up to Vote Tour stops at Tribal complexes, headquarters, health centers and other Tribal facilities across Oklahoma. A full schedule is attached*.
- Sept. 30, 2024: Tribal Sovereignty 101 and Candidates Forum at River Spirit Casino Resort Ballroom, Tulsa, OK (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.), followed by the Warrior Up to Vote Rally (5 p.m. to 7 p.m.) with special guests Zahn McClarnon and Tatanka Means, live entertainment, and DJ Chance Rush.
- Oct. 3, 2024: Oklahoma City Registration Drive at Songbird Plaza and Hill Pavilion, Oklahoma City. Special guests and entertainment will provide a backdrop for celebrating Tribal sovereignty and the power of the vote.
- *Follow United Indian Nations of Oklahoma on X (@IndianNationsOK) as specific times/locations are announced.
About United Indian Nations of Oklahoma:
The purpose of United Indian Nations of Oklahoma (UINO) is to create an organization of Tribal Nations and Tribal People to come together, work together, become more informed on issues of importance to Tribal Nations and Tribal People, and act to protect and enhance the sovereignty of Tribal Nations based in Oklahoma. Questions? Contact Margo Gray, UINO Executive Director, (918) 381-2759.
