Frederica Freyberg:

Next, we head to a place in Wisconsin seeing the highest number of COVID cases as voters head into Election Day. The 2020 elections are turning out all kinds of new voters. But Wisconsin’s Native Vote is seeing a tidal wave of enthusiasm like never before. Marisa Wojcik brings us this report from Indigenous voices across the state and work being done on the ground in Menominee County.

Liz Wanetan:

I believe ’cause the stakes are higher. I believe this, you know. I shouldn’t say I. We believe the stakes are higher.

Marisa Wojcik:

Throughout 2020, an energy has been building to turn out Wisconsin’s Native Vote.

John Teller:

We’ve created a statement. We’ve created an idea and a belief throughout the state with our engagement efforts this year.

Marisa Wojcik:

Regional organizers across the state have been working overtime to get their message out. Organizers like John Teller of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin.

John Teller:

In 2016 Menominee County ranked last in the state in voter turnout, with about 48%. If we can get over 50%. I mean my goal is 60%, 70%, 80%.

Marisa Wojcik:

John’s team packed and distributed hundreds of care packages with voting information, hand sanitizer and masks. Organizers have had to get creative with their engagement efforts.

Dee Sweet:

Whether it’s billboard campaigns, car parades throughout the communities, there’s a real excitement and a real sort of innovative atmosphere. We’ll try anything to get the world out.

Marisa Wojcik:

Political activists like Paul DeMain who’ve been deeply involved in state, local and tribal politics for decades says there’s something different about this election season. And turning out new voters could be enough to swing an election.

Paul DeMain:

The 2020 election cycle has been a cycle where I have never seen as much energy on both the local, the regional and national level to turn out the Indigenous vote.

Marisa Wojcik:

In his experience, Indigenous voters in the Great Lakes area tend to be more associated with the Democratic Party. But there are plenty of Republican, independent and third-party voters.

Paul DeMain:

I don’t care if you go in and vote for the person I’m not going to vote for. I really care that you go and exercise that vote so that we can tell people that this community cares. This community is involved. This community is going to make its voice known.

Dee Sweet:

I think the more we have become more visible.

Marisa Wojcik:

Dee Sweet organizes the statewide campaign for the Wisconsin Native Vote.

Dee Sweet:

Constituency in the state. We’re seeing that more and more legislators, people who are running for office or people who are incumbents are reaching out to tribal communities.

Marisa Wojcik:

The interests of Native voices are as diverse as any other community, but there are some things that unify this voting bloc.

Dee Sweet:

We have a responsibility as Native people to the land and to the air and to the water and to be protectors. But on the other hand, we also have a vested interest in our language preservation, in maintaining the social systems that are traditional for us, our cultural practices, our unique histories that are very different from one another. So that pledge to remember our obligations, to sort of pay homage to our elders and to the veterans and to also understand that we have a very heart-felt responsibility for the seventh generation.

Liz Wanetan:

You’re not just casting your vote thinking about what’s happening in present day. You’re thinking about what’s happening in that seventh generation that isn’t even here yet. Rightfully, if they truly are thinking of Native people, they know. They know that story and they know that seventh person that may be coming and how important that is. Missing and murdered Indigenous women. Like you said, water rights, you know, sovereignty. Those things need to be respected when you cast that vote. You make sure that that person has those same thoughts or at least willing to listen, willing to have that openness to listen to the Native voice.

Marisa Wojcik:

A recent and rapid surge in COVID-19 cases has challenged organizers trying to safely reach voters. Menominee County has the state’s highest case rate and is primarily made up of Tribal members. Despite this, the Menominee Tribal health officer says voting in person on Election Day can be done safely.

Amy Slagle:

The incident command looked at the safety plans for the voting and we feel like it can be done in a safe, safe manner, with the usual things in place, with masking and distancing.

John Teller:

Despite the coronavirus this year, it’s been a very challenging year I think for everyone. Despite those obstacles, I get the sense that this year is going to be very enthusiastic.

Rose Skendore:

I mean, if there’s no other time in history, this is the time. You need to get out there and vote. You need to get out there and let them know we are still here. We are still important. And we will not go away.

Marisa Wojcik:

For “Here & Now,” I’m Marisa Wojcik in Menominee.