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Many Indigenous voters in the Navajo Nation parade in Arizona have expressed the issues that are important to them, including infrastructure-related matters such as road construction, access to water, electricity, and broadband on their reservations, education, gun control, inflation, immigration, and the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women. Several voters who were interviewed had varying political leanings, with some supporting Biden and others backing Trump. Among the issues they found critical were the increasing cost of living, gun laws, land rights, land buy-backs, and the need to address environmental damage caused by carbon fuels.
Indigenous Voters Discuss Key Election Issues at Navajo Nation Parade
Indigenous voters at the Navajo Nation parade in Window Rock, Arizona, expressed their concerns to NBC News about important issues impacting them as the November election approaches.
Their concerns primarily centered around infrastructure developments like road construction, and access to crucial amenities on their reservations like water, electricity, and broadband. Other areas of concern included education, the issue of missing and murdered Indigenous women, gun control, inflation, and immigration issues.
Lomakoyva Manuel, a 25-year-old resident of Sacaton, Arizona, who voted for Biden in 2020, shared her uncertainty about her choice for the upcoming election. Emphasizing on the importance of addressing the crisis of missing and murdered Indigenous women and protection of water and land rights for her tribe, Manuel said, “We need to do better.”
Lorinda Strayhorn, a 60-year-old Biden supporter from Albuquerque, New Mexico, listed immigration into Navajo’s lands as her top concern. “A lot of our lands have been taken, and that’s not good for our Navajo tribes,” she expressed, whilst also acknowledging ongoing land buy-back efforts.
Denzel Bia, a 22-year-old rancher from Many Farms, Arizona, who plans to support Trump again in November, stressed that road repairs are essential. Citing the poor condition of dirt roads, he said, “One big thing was fixing the roads on the Navajo Nation, putting highways on those dirt roads would help the people and save their vehicles.” Bia also mentioned the high cost of growing hay for his ranch.
Steve Blackrock, a 65-year-old retiree from Black Mesa, Arizona, who supports Harris’ campaign, voiced his concerns over the lack of infrastructure on the Navajo reservation. “As the years go on, we realize we have to at least think of our younger generations coming up, so that they enjoy a healthy environment,” Blackrock said.
Leo Mann, a 56-year-old construction worker from Nazlini, Arizona, and a Trump supporter, highlighted the economy and gun control as his main issues. “I think the most important thing is the cost of living has gone up,” Mann said. He also stressed the need for improved infrastructure on reservations, especially for veterans and schools.
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