Two Native American Women Elected to Congress: Sharice Davids & Deb Haaland

08/11/2018

Click the image above too read the CNN article

Democrats Sharice Davids and Deb Haaland have become the first Native American women elected to Congress.

In New Mexico, Deb Haaland became the first Native American woman to chair a state political party. Now, the former Democratic chair has also become the first Native American congresswoman in the US, alongside Davids. She is a citizen of the Pueblo of Laguna tribe and a longtime activist who ran on a progressive platform, including Medicare for all, a $15 minimum wage, and the impeachment of Trump.

Sharice Davids, an attorney and former MMA fighter, became the first Native American congresswoman and the first lesbian congresswoman from Kansas.  She was raised by a single mother army veteran and is a member of the Wisconsin-based Ho-Chunk Nation.  Sharice was one of President Obama's White House Fellows*.

Just My Opinion

It is great to see these two women become Congresswomen, it truly is.

However, it is sad that it has taken so long for a Native American to be elected to such a role. They are, after all, the true indigenous population of the country and should have had seats in power for many years. Lands were stolen from them by European settlers, including from the UK, and even now they have not received proper reparation for the crimes committed against them and the land stolen. from them.

I hope they have long and successful political careers, are joined by more native Americans in both Congress and the Senate, and that this is the beginning of a rebalance in the fairness of society in America.

I'm not suggesting that the Orangutan in the White House and other billionaires are suddenly going to be asked to donate their assets to the native Indian tribes, but some changes are due.

It is sickening to see cases where white supremacists / nationalists have racially abused native Indians and shouted at them to go home. It is difficult to imagine just how it must feel to be accused of being a foreigner in your ancestral homeland, by the ancestors of the people who invaded your nation and murdered your forebears.

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* White House Fellows are exceptional young men & women who work at the highest levels of the federal government, typically for a one year period.