For Andrew Ynnocencio and Guy Reiter, both members of the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, voting from your heart is a way to protect Indigenous people’s way of life and future.

 

“Every time I go out and vote, I think of the future. Mainly my daughter, my everything,” Ynnocencio said. “I also think about my grandmother, my mom, and my community. Vote for your people, your rights, and the people you love.” 

 

Reiter agreed. 

 

“We must vote from our hearts, our compassion, and our understanding,” he said, adding, “There isn’t anyone in this country who understands this land better than we do because of our participation here and our stories.” 

 

As Native people, it’s important to vote in our elections – Tribal, state, and federal elections – to protect our culture, languages, and ways of life. The people elected have the power to make decisions that impact our Tribal nations and daily lives. When we vote, we choose our leaders and we have a say in our future. 

 

The next election is Tuesday, April 7, and we will have the opportunity to vote for a new justice to sit on the Wisconsin Supreme Court for the next 10 years. Depending on where you live, there may also be races for circuit court judges, county boards, city councils, school boards, and more. 

 

Our votes have a long-lasting effect on our future generations. When we go to our polling places to cast our ballots, we think of those who came before us and remember that it is a way of protecting our future and our sovereignty. It’s important, now more than ever, to uplift one another’s voices and encourage one another to vote. 

 

In the same way that we work to maintain traditions within our family, we encourage people to vote as one of those traditions. In our communities, traditions survive because we practice them repeatedly. Casting your ballot is the same way. When we show up collectively, and repeatedly, our voices and communities are stronger.  

 

Find voting information you need, such as where to vote and what to bring to the polls at www.conservationvoices.org/vote. To see nonpartisan candidate information, visit www.vote411.org hosted by the League of Women Voters of Wisconsin. You can also reach out to the team at Wisconsin Native Vote with any questions at info@conservationvoices.org.  

 

Every single vote is important for our people. Make your voice heard and vote on Tuesday, April 7.