2020 Vote Outreach Team

Julia Wilson-Peltier, Turtle Mountain Chippewa

Julia Wilson-Peltier is a Masters in Public Health student at North Dakota State University. She is currently Administrative Assistant for Urban Native Education Alliance in Seattle, Washington. She is a graduate of NAN’s 2019-2020 Legacy of Leadership Cohort.

Why I Vote

“I vote because I believe in reclaiming our voice as Indigenous peoples to this land. I vote because we deserve leaders who respects tribal sovereignty, the well-being of mother earth, democracy, access to quality healthcare, and health and racial equity for historically oppressed groups. I vote because I know my ancestors before me fought very hard to make sure we have a voice in the U.S. political system, I have an obligation to make sure my voice will be heard and my vote will be counted.”

Brandi Douglas, Puyallup

Brandi is a member of the Puyallup Tribe and additionally identifies as a Black, Mexican and Queer womxn, who was born and raised in Tacoma, Washington. Brandi's pronouns are she/her/hers. She is a scholar, writer and serial entrepreneur, and also serves as an Employment Benefits Navigator for the Native American Unit at the NW Justice Project. Brandi holds a Master's in Indigenous People's Law from the University of Oklahoma and serves on the Tacoma Women of Color Collective Board. Additionally, she is a participant in Native Action Network's 2020-2021 Legacy of Leadership Cohort.

Why I Vote

It wasn't until the passing of the Snyder Act of 1924, aka the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924, that we as Indigenous peoples were allowed to cast a vote - but it would be left to the individual States to dictate who had the right to do so, and it wouldn't be until 1962, that all States would recognize the Native American vote. Despite this, in present day, new voter qualifications continue to challenge the Native American vote. On various levels of government, we have and continue to be denied and/or forgotten.

Erasure is a thing we know well. But as we recognize this history, we also know that we have a voice today. A presence. A permanence in this Nation that was planted by our ancestors so very many years ago, and that we have the duty of nourishing for generations to come.

And so I vote to remind us all that we are etched in this landscape. That we, the original inhabitants, are a necessary voice in deciding who gets the honor of representing us in various levels of government, and most importantly, that we aren't going anywhere.

Breanna Foulkes, Puyallup

Breanna is a Court Clerk for the Puyallup Tribal Court where she assists the Chief Judge and other associate judges with scheduling and supporting their docket. She is a graduate of NAN’s 2019-2020 Legacy of Leadership Cohort.

Why I Vote

“As an Indigenous woman, I have often been over looked and silenced regarding my voice, so being able to vote in tribal and national elections is one important way to get back a part of me that was once lost. Through my eyes being able to exercise a right we have not always had as women is also a form of paying respect to my ancestors. Each and every election matters, each and every voice matters.”