Elections and Human Rights Series: Indigenous Peoples Rights and elections

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A number of complex questions arise when it comes to elections and Indigenous Peoples. Disenfranchisement has taken different forms for different groups in this country. It has also had different historical roots, settler-colonial, social, political roots and legal/constitutional roots. Keeping in mind historical, socio-political and legal factors, what are the most critical contextual problems for each of these sectors for participation of Native Americans in elections? How is the fundamental right of equality and non-discrimination challenged in elections in this country? We often say that the quality of a democracy depends on how it treats minorities and Indigenous Peoples: what types of reforms would it take for a climate of confidence to be fostered in America that would encourage electoral participation? What can we learn from the struggles of movements and campaigns that got Native Americans elected, including in recent times? How are the individual and collective rights of Indigenous Peoples linked to participation in elections? How have the mobilizations around Standing Rock and Black Lives Matter affected the electorate in terms of meaningful participation in the elections? In a world of the expanding force of social media, fake news and hate speech, even in pandemic times, what is the role of media in the upcoming elections?

Panelists:
-Tatewin Means (Lakota), Executive Director, Thunder Valley Community Development Corporation
-Michael Witgen (Anishinaabe), Professor, Department of History and the Program in American Culture University of Michigan
-Janene Yazzie (Diné (Navajo)), Sustainable Development Program Coordinator, International Indian Treaty Council & Co-Convenor, Indigenous Peoples Major Group for Sustainable Development

Moderator:
Elsa Stamatopoulou, Director, Indigenous Peoples' Rights Program, Columbia University's Institute for the Study of Human Rights

For speakers' bios and more information about the event, go to: http://humanrightscolumbia.org/events/election-and-human-rights-series-indigenous-peoples-rights-and-elections

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