PHOTO BY CLARE JENSEN

Roleen Hargrove stands outside her office in the Tribal Administration building where she is working to educate, update and register Tribal members to vote. The Tribe also contributed to an educational DVD “We the People: The U.S. Constitution and You,” which can be viewed online at www.puyallup-tribe.com.

Tribal effort to educate, register voters

By Clare Jensen

One of the simplest ways to voice an opinion is to place a vote in an election.

With the presidential, county and Tribal council elections coming up in the next several months, Tribal members have a variety of venues to voice and vote in, and the first step is getting registered.

Roleen Hargrove, lobbyist for the Puyallup Tribe’s intergovernmental affairs office, said she has been working to register Tribal members as voters for the past couple of years. So far, she has registered more than 3,000 Native voters.

“What’s encouraging is that we already have a lot of Natives registered,” she said, adding that the biggest issue is keeping addresses updated. “The last two or three years, it’s the Native American vote that has made the difference [in state elections].”

Last year, the Tribe embarked on a project through Roleen Hargrove’s office in partnership with Caroline Kennedy, daughter of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy.

The outcome, a 22-minute educational DVD, was released three weeks ago to be distributed to libraries, schools, chambers of commerce and clubs throughout the district. It will also be posted online at www.puyallup-tribe.com.

The premise of the DVD “We the People: The U.S. Constitution and You” ties directly into Roleen Hargrove’s effort to encourage Natives to register, and more importantly, place their vote.

“[Elected officials] make decisions for the better good of the people…the power lies in the people,” Roleen Hargrove said. That concept rings true in national, local and tribal governments. “Tribal power lies with the members. Every member helps decide the course of the Tribe. It’s that simple…your voice matters.”

Tribal Councilmember Larry LaPointe agrees. “It’s possible [by voting] you can reconstruct whatever is missing in congress.”

Larry LaPointe and Roleen Hargrove discussed national issues, such as federal funding for tribes that could af-fect each member at a personal level.

In Puyallup, Larry LaPointe said the Tribe has to supplement millions of dollars to federally funded programs, such as $6 million to Tribal Law Enforcement and $5 million to the Health Authority.

Larry LaPointe said the problem is that no matter how many tribes register to receive federal funding, congress doesn’t increase money for Native programs.

“That needs to be challenged by the tribes,” he said, stating that funding for Native programs such as housing, education and health care is outlined in the Medicine Creek Treaty.

“It’s all the more reason it’s so important for Native Americans to use their voice – power is with the people. Those political positions are temporary,” Roleen Hargrove said.

The pair has spent one-on-one time with politicians, such as Maria Cantwell and Hillary Clinton. They have expressed their concerns in person to such policy makers, but they agree that the public opinion is what matters most.

“The electorate sees how the people vote – and that counts,” Larry LaPointe said, stating that both the current Democratic presidential candidates have said they would have Native American representation in the White House.

Tribal Chairman Herman Dillon, who delivers the introduction segment of the “We The People” DVD, expressed his belief in the importance of understanding the constitution, rights and taking advantage of the ability to vote.

“It’s a given right – you should vote as soon as you become 18,” he said. “I had to wait until I was 21.”

To register to vote, update a voting address or ask any questions about registration, visit Roleen Hargrove’s office, room 104 in the Tribal Administration Office, or call (253) 573-7953.

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