Electoral Process For Native Americans with Disabilities

The National Congress of American Indians (NCAI)
The NCAI promotes initiatives and publishes information to promote cooperation among tribal governments for protection of their treaty and sovereign rights. Since 1944, the National Congress of American Indians has been working to inform the public and Congress on the governmental rights of American Indians and Alaska Natives.

  • Click here to read more about the NCAI’s “aggressive plan to count every Indian vote in the 2008 elections and to create a national infrastructure and network for empowering the Native Vote throughout the United States.”

Native Vote Project
Native Vote Project is a national non-partisan effort to mobilize the American Indian and Alaska Native vote in collaboration with regional organizations, local tribal governments, AND centers serving the Indian populations of urban centers.

Click on the above link to view their recently updated website which provides state-specific information regarding election dates, registration deadlines, and voting requirements.  It also provides links to candidates’ websites, political party platforms and state organizations dedicated to increasing participation in the electoral process.  NCAI’s Native Vote election protection initiative is described along with information for tribes on how to organize and promote Get Out The Native Vote (GOTNV) events and activities.  Additionally, a training curriculum is provided to help train citizen advocates in order to assist with Get Out The Vote (GOTV) efforts.

Organizations Involved in Native Vote Activities
This site provides a partial list of organizations that have indicated they will be involved in 2008 Native Vote activities.  They are good contacts for P&A staff for outreach to Native Americans with disabilities.

American Association of People With Disabilites Presidential Election Center
Check this site regularly for responses to a disability survey sent to presidential candidates, links to each candidates website, important events and debates, and registration information for each state.

Montana People's Action-Montana Indian Action (MPA-MIA)
The MPA-MIA is an example of an advocacy group working on behalf of American Indians. They use a variety of strategies to assist American Indians achieve positive change for social, economic and racial justice.

 

Native American Cultural Awareness and Outreach Resources

Alaska Native Heritage Center
Alaska Native Heritage Center is a gathering place that celebrates, perpetuates and preserves the unique Alaska Native Cultures, languages, traditions and values through celebration and education

Alaska Native Knowledge Network (ANKN)
ANKN is a partner of the University of Alaska Fairbanks and serves as a resource for compiling and exchanging information related to Alaska Native knowledge systems and ways of knowing.

American Indian Policy Center (AIPC)
provides resources for government leaders, policy makers, and the public, focusing on accurate information about the legal and political history of American Indian nations, and the contemporary situation for American Indians.

Indian Country Today
Indian Country Today is a national Native American publication that can provide useful information on Native American communities throughout the country.
 
Indian Health Service
The Indian Health Service maintains an online list of Community Health Representatives who serve Native American communities throughout the country.  

Tribal Colleges and Universities
Tribal colleges and universities provide excellent resources on Native American studies and possible sources for recruiting volunteers for Native vote projects.

Tribal Court Clearing House
Tribal Court Clearing House maintains a website providing a wealth of Native American information, including relevant courts, agencies, organizations, law reviews, state resources,  federal policies and news briefs.

Urban Indian Centers
Urban Indian Centers are good places to begin outreach efforts to Native Americans within the urban areas.  Also check these addition urban Indian Centers lists.

Resources on Disability Rights and Issues

Consortia of Administrators for Native American Rehabilitation (CANAR)
CANAR provides an avenue for collaboration and cooperation between administrators of rehabilitation projects serving Native American persons with disabilities, to increase and enhance the quality of services, resulting in positive outcomes for Native American persons with disabilities.

The University of Montana Rural Institute
This website provides a wealth of resources related to disability from the Rural Institute at The University of Montana.

The University of Montana Rural Institute, RTC: Rural
This website contains links to publications written by present and former staff of the Research Training Center (RTC) at the Rural Institute, The University of Montana.