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U.S. Climate Change report says Indigenous communities will face disproportionate impacts

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A new climate report released last week by the Trump administration predicts significant — and expensive — impacts on the planet as a result of climate change. The threats from weather-related catastrophes are already clear: Stronger and moreover frequent hurricanes, deadly heat waves, and more intense destructive wildfires.

And that includes a threat to “Indigenous peoples’ livelihoods and economies, including agriculture, hunting and gathering, fishing, forestry, energy, recreation, and tourism enterprises.”

This is Trahant Reports.

What’s at most at risk is the traditional subsistence economy. Climate change threatens these delicately balanced subsistence networks by, for example, changing the patterns of seasonal timing and availability of culturally important species in traditional hunting, gathering, and fishing areas.”

That’s from Chapter 15 of the federal assessment labeled: “Tribes and Indigenous Peoples.”

One of the case studies focuses on the Yukon Delta in Alaska.

“The Arctic and sub regions are warming faster than anywhere else on Earth. In recent years, residents of the Yukon Delta have noticed unusual conditions. They’ve seen warmer winters with less snow and more unpredictable weather. Ice on the rivers and sea is thinner than in the past, and break-up of ice happens earlier in the year. With reduced snow cover and ice that can’t support the weight of people traveling over it, hunters are restricted to smaller areas, and they can have difficulty harvesting the game upon which they depend,” the case study reports.

The report asks questions that neither Congress nor the Trump administration has answered. Namely: “Especially among young residents, people wonder, ‘Where will we get the resources we need in the future? Will we need to build roads or change some of our traditions to continue thriving?’”

Where, indeed.

Governments only have two choices when it comes to dealing with climate change. First, spend lots of money trying to slow climate change by reducing fossil fuels and other impacts on the environment. Or, two, spend lots of money adapting to a changing environment. Scratch that: The only issue is how much of our resources will be spent on mitigation (door number one) and how much will be spent on adaptation. Both will be expensive — and tribes will be spending significant sums with or without help from the federal government.

President Donald J. Trump’s White House continues to downplay climate threats. In a statement Friday, spokeswoman Lindsay Walters said the report began in the Obama administration and that it relies too heavily on the worst-case-scenarios.

The National Climate Assessment is required by law.

While the report is clear about the harsh assessment of the impact of climate change, it also says that Indigenous knowledge is essential because of an understanding of complex natural relationships.

I am Mark Trahant.

Medicaid

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Valerie Davidson is Alaska’s Lt. Governor and the principal architect of the state’s Medicaid expansion.

The Indian Health system was on the ballot across the country last week (even if the words were not explicit.) A few wins. And Alaska is at risk for a big loss.

This is Trahant Reports.

Voters in three states added new money that will go directly to clinics and basic health services through Medicaid expansion. One of the most important provisions of the Affordable Care Act was to allow states to expand Medicaid making it easier for citizens to quality for basic health insurance. Medicaid is a third-party insurance fund that directly benefits Indian health clinics and hospitals.

But in other states there were costly setbacks. Montana rejected a funding mechanism for Medicaid expansion sending it back to the legislature for further debate.

And the election of Mike Dunleavy as the new governor in Alaska means changes ahead for Medicaid in that state. (And Republicans, who never did favor Medicaid expansion, now control both houses in the state legislature.)

Medicaid has become a significant funding stream for the Indian health system, it’s particularly important for the non-profit and tribally-operated clinics and hospitals because by law that money remains at the local unit. And, unlike federal appropriations for the U.S. Indian Health Service, the amount of money grows as more patients become eligible for services. What’s more: The federal government reimburses states 100 percent for treatment at Indian health clinics or tribal facilities.

This is how it works: The Indian Health system — the federal Indian Health Service and the facilities operated by tribes and non-profit organizations — gets funding directly from Congress through appropriations. That appropriation is currently $5.5 billion but Medicaid is a partnership with state governments, and thus, must be approved by each state.

Nebraska is one of the states that voted for expansion.

The Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska recently assumed operational control of the Indian Health Service hospital and renamed it the 12 Clans Unity Hospital. Medicaid expansion could add revenue streams to this facility because more patients would qualify for the insurance. One specific benefit is that Medicaid claims are processed on a regular basis to help facilities cover operational costs, including infrastructure.

Medicaid expansion could also benefit urban clinics in Lincoln and Omaha (as well as a clinic in Salt Lake City). According to the Kaiser Family Foundation one urban Indian health program in Arizona reported that its uninsured rate fell from 85 percent before the Affordable Care Act to just under 10 percent after.

Alaska’s election could result in the biggest changes to Medicaid and the Alaska Native medical system. Nearly 40 percent of Medicaid clients are Alaska Natives and one in five Alaskans is now covered by Medicaid. Last month at the Alaska Federation of Native convention, Lt. Gov. Valerie Nurr’araaluk Davidson, Yup’ik, said Medicaid expansion has benefited every community in the state. As director of the state’s health agency, Davidson was the architect of the state’s Medicaid expansion.

I am Mark Trahant.

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Elections Take Away

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The take away from the 2018 midterm election is simple: Democracy is better when more people vote.

This is Trahant Reports.

So much history was made this election. The first Native American women in Congress, Representatives-elect Deb Haaland, New Mexico, and Sharice Davids, Kansas. Haaland is Laguna Pueblo and Davids is Ho Chunk.

This really has been the year of the Native woman. Add to that: The first elected lieutenant governor of a state, Peggy Flanagan of Minnesota. She is White Earth Nation.

Arizona tripled the number of Native representation in its state Senate. Senators Jamescita Peshlakai, Navajo; Victoria Steele, Seneca; and Mary Ann Gonzales, Pasqua Yacqui, have enough members for a caucus.

Montana now has nine Native American members of its legislature. To put that number in perspective: Native Americans make up seven percent of the Montana Legislature.

California has elected its first ever Native American member of its legislature, Rep.-elect James Ramos, San Manuel. Ramos will represent his tribal community — and San Bernardino — in the legislature.

And that too is an interesting twist. More Native Americans won office representing urban communities in the legislature, such as Rep.-elect Jade Bahr, Northern Cheyenne, in Billings, Montana; Rep-elect Ruth Buffalo, Mandan Hidatsa Arikara, in Fargo, North Dakota; and Ajay Pittman, Seminole, in Oklahoma City.

There will be more Native Americans in public office — across the board.

Let’s look at voters, too.

In Big Horn County, Montana, where the Crow Nation is located, some 5,578 voted in this election. Two years ago, during a presidential election, only 4,168 people voted. Usually the number of voters drops during a midterm.

And that vote made a difference: In Montana Jon Tester won re-election because the Native vote turnout was significant.

Most American Indians voted for Democrats. At least 38 Native Democrats were elected compared to seven Republicans.

But among the Republicans there were some interesting elections, such as Kevin Stitt, a Cherokee citizen, and the first Native American elected to lead Oklahoma. And Tamara St. John, Sisseton Wahpeton. She won a seat in the South Dakota legislature.

What’s next? Several new members of legislatures and Congress have said they want investigations and action on missing and murdered Native women. Others have talked about expanding health care services, including Medicaid. And, perhaps, most important, many of talked about protecting the right of Native Americans to vote. And the timing of that last promise is critical right now because the once a decade census will begin soon and with it the next round of apportionment, drawing the very lines that determine representation. Because democracy is always better when more people vote.

 

I am Mark Trahant.

Commercials

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So often we think about Native candidates in the context of winning and losing. But elections are much more than that because Native politicians changing the way people think about Native Americans. Stereotypes are shattered every time a campaign commercial is produced and aired on television or distributed online.

This is Trahant Reports.

Earlier this year one of the most powerful commercials was for a candidate who lost, Tatewin Means.

Imagine the voting citizens in South Dakota consuming a new kind of Native American image, a smart, professional Native woman, speaking Lakota.

This is a story that will help people reimagine the world because they see a professional Native woman who is clearly qualified for the state’s top legal job. In fact, you could argue she’s more qualified because of life experiences and challenges that another South Dakotan could never have even imagined. Mind. Blown.

Paulette Jordan has also changed the image of a Native American woman in Idaho.

Much of her story is told by national media. She has also had fun with her messages. Her most recent video stirs the ideal of what Idaho is …

In New Mexico, Deb Haaland’s TV commercial is way personal. She tells a story.

“I don’t look like most people in Congress. My life is different too. I pushed through college. And law school as a single mom,” she says. Then: “I am 30 years sober.”

That’s not a message often heard in political advertising. But Haaland said she wanted to be transparent with voters. She said it’s an important message in a state that has one of the highest DWI rates in the country.

Most political ads are about a candidate’s smarts. A resume. Or powerful connections. Haaland’s ads are human.

Campaign ads are always important to candidates. They tell voters about the person, why they are running, and a bit about their values. But this year’s commercials do something else: They tell the voters, that is citizens, that Native Americans are still here. And that Native American candidates bring something new to the larger national discourse.

Win or lose these images are now in the public discourse.

I am Mark Trahant.

Early Voting

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Angela Willeford works with Arizona’s Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community to get out the Native vote.

The 2018 midterm election has already moved beyond slogans and planning. Now it’s all about getting out the vote.

This is Trahant Reports.

Angela Willeford works with the Salt River Pima Maricopa Indian Community in Arizona. She’s gearing up for a voter turnout drive that includes a  phone bank with a list of registered voters. When the call comes in “don’t forget to vote” the voice on the other end of the line is often a friend or relative. “It’s good to hear from someone you know,” she said.

Willeford spoke at a National Congress of American Indians workshop on Native Vote. She said early phone calls are important because they can identify problems with registration when there is still time to fix it. For example in Arizona a voter’s ID, tribal or state, must exactly match the voter registration roll.

The community also publishes a voter guide and educates tribal citizens about the importance of showing up.

We need you to vote is a consistent message from the tribe. And it’s a reminder that it wasn’t that long ago that tribal citizens were not allowed to vote in Arizona. Before 1965 tribal members were blocked from voting under state law.

Across the country we already know a few things about the 2018 midterm election: Turnout will be higher than normal and a lot of people are voting early.

Early voting has become popular with 37 states offering some form of ballot access before Election Day.

“Usage of early voting has recently surged among traditionally underrepresented voters,” reports Demos. “The 2008 election marked a dramatic increase in early in-person voting among African American and Latino voters. And in Florida, where approximately 50 percent of ballots were cast early in 2012, African-American usage of early in-person voting has exceeded White usage in four of the five most recent federal elections. Research suggests that turnout increases are maximized when early voting is combined with Same Day Registration.”

That best practice often fails to include Indian Country. According to the Native Vote project, “compared to other voters, many Native people have less access to early voting and voter registration.”

Some 8 million people have already voted — more than in previous election cycles at this point.

The United States has a lower voting participation rate than other countries. In presidential elections only about 60 percent of those who register, vote. In midterm elections, like this one, it’s only about 40 percent.

The interesting thing here for Indian Country. A low turnout election cycle can mean more influence for groups that do come out and vote. The Native vote really could decide an election — and has in the past.

 

I am Mark Trahant

What the Heck, Alaska?

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What the heck, Alaska? Think about one week’s worth of news ….

This is Trahant Reports.

  • Alaska’s Lt. Governor Byron Mallott, Tlingit, resigned, citing “inappropriate comments” and was replaced by Valerie Davidson, Yupik.
  • Then Davidson spoke to the Alaska Federation of Natives convention. Her talk was thoughtful, warm, and left many delegates wanting her as the next governor. But lieutenant governor works. For now.
  • On Friday, Independent Gov. Bill Walker, Davidson’s de facto running mate, asked to address the convention. There he announced he was suspending his campaign for governor and tossing his support to Democrat Mark Begich. The math of a three-way race was impossible, guaranteeing the Republican candidate, Mike Dunleavy, an easy path to victory. “Alaskans deserve a choice other than Mike Dunleavy,” he said.
  • Walker’s announcement was historic. A politician sacrificing ambition for the greater good. He said that Alaska has a lot to lose, especially Medicaid expansion. The convention gasped. Many cried. And delegates made their way to the stage to honor the governor and his legacy with song, with jewelry, and with words.

So what now? There are only a couple of weeks for Alaska voters have to forget what’s on the ballot and choose between two very different sets of visions.

“That’s what this campaign is going to be about: What’s Alaska going to look like in the future?” Dunleavy said in a debate at the AFN convention. He talked about working in rural Alaska and understanding the issues facing Native communities. He said he met his wife, Rose, in such a community and saw the need for jobs. Then he talked about mining, energy, and other development that is his Alaska future. This would mean more development even in areas that put traditional food gathering at risk. He also promises less government (and a larger payout from the state’s permanent fund to residents.)

Former Sen. Mark Begich is on the other side of just about every issue. He supports Medicaid expansion.

Medicaid has been extremely important to Alaska Natives (and the two people who ought to get a lot of credit for making it so is Gov. Walker and his now Lt. Gov. Davidson). This one federal program has insured some 44,000 Alaskans, many of them Alaska Natives, and created a sustainable revenue stream for the Indian health system. It’s telling that when Dunleavy talked about Medicaid to AFN he mentioned insurance and efficiency and other parts of the system that have no bearing on the Indian health system. He did not talk about a funding reversal would do — and how that would be a cost borne by Native people and communities.

Will Walker’s sacrifice make a difference in this election? Is it too late? Open questions. There are probably nine ways for Dunlevy to win and only one for Begich. And Dunleavy made this prediction: “There is only 18 days left, so don’t be surprised if there’s more surprises along the way.”

 

I am Mark Trahant.

Fixing Democracy

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What is a “democracy?”

This is Trahant Reports.

The Supreme Court last week let stand a court ruling that allows North Dakota to disenfranchise Native voters. State law requires a government-issued ID with a physical address in communities where there are no physical addresses. This changes the rules used in the primary election. So a voter who voted just a couple of months ago could be refused a ballot this time around.

No worries ruled the majority on the Supreme Court (and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit) there is plenty of time — a month — to fix the problem. Not that the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe won’t try. External affairs director Danielle Finn tweeted that plans are underway for an emergency addressing system.

Quote: “Why is it getting harder and harder for Native Americans to vote?” asks Standing Rock Chairman Mike Faith in a news release. “This law clearly discriminates against Native Americans in North Dakota. Our voices should be heard and they should be heard fairly at the polls, just like all other Americans.”

Indeed, Faith raises a higher standard. He says tribal citizens — even with post office boxes —  live “in accordance with the law and treaties. But now all of a sudden they can’t vote.”

Power of treaties. Did you know: There are treaties that give tribal citizens the right to a delegate in the Congress?

Congress has had delegates since 1794. The first, James White of Ohio, wasn’t even sure he whether he would serve in the House or the Senate. But it was decided that he could be a an “envoy” to Congress. He would not be able to vote. But he could serve on committees, hire a staff, and be recognized in Congress.

Today there are six Delegates in Congress, representing Puerto Rico, Washington, D.C., Guam, U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Indian Country should be included in this equation. The Navajo Nation, a geographic, political entity, that’s far larger and has more people than the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa or the Northern Mariana Islands.

Congress should have done this a long time ago. For example: In the Choctaw Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek of 1830 there was a provision for a “Delegate to Congress.”

Congress could make this happen with a simple, majority vote. It is not a Constitutional act.

Full authority or not, at least congressional delegates are there. Seated. At the table. Their very presence would be a reminder about the unique political status of tribal governments.

How could this work? Easy. Tribal nations with large populations should have a delegate. Perhaps smaller tribes could band together by region or language group and have a regional delegate. If population is the criteria, then there ought to be at least seven delegates. Proportional democracy.

Then every member of the nation — including tribal nations — would be have a say in this government.

I am Mark Trahant.

Making history on election night … by making news

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It’s already a record year for the number of Native Americans running for elective office in the United States. Now another kind of history, a broadcast first.

This is Trahant Reports.

I have always wondered what it would be like if the “news” had a Native focus? We would hear about candidates who come from Native communities. We’d hear about how policy shapes our world, whether in an urban neighborhood, on a reservation, or in an Alaskan village. The news would be ours.

Well, on election night three national media organizations, FNX | First Nations Experience, Indian Country Today, and Native Voice One, are joining together to broadcast the first ever live national coverage of election night focusing on the 103 Native Americans who are running for Congress, governor, lieutenant governor, as well as state legislatures. There will be reports from Indian Country Today contributors from the candidates’ campaigns across the country.

FNX | First Nations Experience will broadcast Native Election Night Live from its studios in San Bernardino, California, starting` at 6 p.m. Pacific. It will be a five hour, coast to coast broadcast, with on the ground reports from correspondents across the country.

The newscast will be anchored by Antonia Gonzales of National Native News — and yours truly.

This election has already been amazing. There has never been a Native American woman elected to the Congress — and now there are three viable candidates. So the idea is to open the window and let Indian Country Today readers, the viewers of FNX, and the listeners from Native Voice One, get the information about this extraordinary moment in real time. This is history that we don’t want anyone to miss.

“A record number of Native American candidates are on ballots across America this year,” said Micah Wright, Content Manager for FNX.  “As America’s only Native-themed broadcast television network, it’s our responsibility to inform the public about the political advances of all our tribal peoples. It’s especially gratifying that we get to do it in coordination with our fellow Native news organizations.”  Wright is a member of the Muscogee Nation.

Native Voice One is excited to join in broadcasting the live results of election night, in partnership with FNX and Indian Country Today,” said Bob Petersen, Yu’pik Eskimo, network manager for NV1. “Listeners will have the opportunity to hear the Native voice represented on this historic date in American history through the live multi-hour, multi-platform broadcast across the country.”

The five hour program will be broadcast over the FNX network (so check with your local PBS affiliate about its availability.) It will also be carried on the radio by Native Voice One, and streamed on the Indian Country Today website.

Election night is a month away — plenty of time to organize your own watch party.

 

I am Mark Trahant.

This is a philosophical race for Indian Country.

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Election Day is just a month away — so let’s talk about politics … and the Native vote.

This is Trahant Reports.

This is a record year for Native people running for office. There are more Native candidates — and especially more women running — than ever before.  But what about the other races? Races where there are no Native American on the ballot, and where Native issues are rarely (if at all) explored.

One state that has to be at the top of any such discussion is North Dakota.

Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, a Democrat, is running against Rep. Kevin Cramer, a Republican. Both have won statewide races.

Heitkamp is an independent Democrat, one who will sometimes support President Donald J. Trump.

This is a philosophical race for Indian Country.

More tribal voters have promised to never vote for Heitkamp again (the Native vote was critical to her win six years ago) because of what they say are her failures to lead during Standing Rock and the Dakota Access Pipeline debate. The perception is that she was on the side of DAPL. As Marlo Hunte-Beaubrun, Standing Rock, who ran for Public Service Commission two years ago, told the Associated Press, “We rallied so hard for her, but when her hand was forced she basically sold out to big oil.”

But when it comes to Big Oil, Cramer is even more supportive than Heitkamp. His finance committee is led by Harold Hamm, one of the architects of North Dakota’s energy policy. He is chairman of Continental Resources, the biggest leaseholder in the Bakken oil basin.

So why is this race philosophical? Because it begs the question which would-be senator would be there on some issues, all of the time?

Heitkamp is one of the best in the Senate on Native issues ranging from violence against women to making sure the Census counts every tribal citizen. She’s supported Native American provisions in the Farm Bill, including a Tribal Food and Security Act.

Cramer supports a few tribal issues, but his primary argument is that he is a North Dakota voice that the president listens to on energy issues.

And that includes dismissing the science of global warming.

Nearly 6 percent of North Dakotans are tribal citizens. North Dakota has no voter registration, and because of a court order, people can show up at the polls, register, and vote on the same day. But one challenge for North Dakota is rural addressing. State law requires an “address,” something that’s not uniform across Indian Country.

An earlier judge found that nearly half of all Native Americans lacked state-ordered identification to vote in North Dakota and at least 2,300 citizens would be prevented from voting.

Still the Native American vote, obstacles or not, will matter because the state is so small.

 

I am Mark Trahant.

Early Voting

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Donna Bergstrom, Red Lake, speaks to voters. She is the Republican candidate for Lt. Gov.  (Photo via Facebook)

Election Day is a funny phrase. A generation ago it signified that one day when citizens showed up at the polls and cast ballots. Then after the polls closed, the votes were counted.

And today? Election Day is more like Election Month.

This is Trahant Reports.

In a few places people are already voting in the November election.

Early voting started in Minnesota last week, on Sept. 21st.

There are nine Native Americans running for a variety of offices in Minnesota, including the office of lieutenant governor where the next incumbent will likely be Peggy Flanagan, a Democrat and a citizen of the White Earth Nation, or Donna Bergstrom, a Republican, and a member of the Red Lake Ojibwe.

There is  Ray “Skip” Sandman, also Ojibwe, and a candidate for the U.S. House on the Minnesota Independence Party.

There are also eight candidates for the state legislature running as Democrats and Republicans.

Another state where voting has already started is South Dakota. This is another state where Native voting could really make a difference, especially early. Why? Because early voting is a sure thing. A vote on election day itself could work, but the voter might get tied up at work. Or have to deal with a family issue. Or. Or. Or. The point is an early vote is done. Certain. So imagine what the numbers would look like if the Native American precincts in South Dakota reached 100 percent participation.

South Dakota has ten Native candidates running for office, including for two statewide offices. Wayne Frederick, Rosebud, is seeking the post of Public Utilities Commission and Alexandra Frederick, Lakota, is running for Secretary of State. Yes, they are a married couple. Campaigning together. Alexandra Frederick says they have already driven 10,000 miles to reach voters in small towns. She told the Huron Plainsman that “we can change things, we can make it better, we can make this a South Dakota that represents everybody …”

If elected, Frederick would be in charge of elections. And she said she is working hard to encourage more people to vote. Voting practices that she said are not always fair. Members of her family, living in the same house, were told once when they went to vote that some of them had to vote at a different precinct that was many miles away.

There are nine Native American candidates for the South Dakota legislature.

Across the country some 100 million people do not vote. One study estimates that at least 30 percent of American Indians and Alaska Natives are not registered to vote.

Today is a good week to change that. This week, and September 25, are National Voter Registration Day and Week. If you want more information, on how to vote and how to register go to NativeVote.org

A lot of voter registration deadlines are next week — so do it soon.

 

I am Mark Trahant.

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