Gov. Lewis discusses the Native American vote on PBS program

Christopher Lomahquahu

Gila River Indian News

Gov. Stephen Roe Lewis appeared on “Arizona Horizon,” on Arizona PBS, Aug. 18, following the second day of the virtual Democratic National Convention, which was held in Milwaukee, Wis.

Gov. Lewis served as a delegate to the DNC and spoke with “Arizona Horizon” host Ted Simons about the Native American vote in the 2020 Presidential Election.

“It is truly an honor to be a delegate and also an elector as well for the Democratic Party, for the Joe Biden and Kamala Harris presidential ticket and for the state of Arizona as well,” said Gov. Lewis.

He said as a tribal leader and delegate it was an honor to represent the Gila River Indian Community and draw attention to the Arizona Native vote for the upcoming election.

Lewis said, “You have…the Navajo Nation in the northeastern part of Arizona, in the southern part you have the four O’otham tribes that make-up a large block of the vote in southern Arizona.”

The Native American Caucus held a roundtable during the DNC on environmental justice in Indian Country. The roundtable covered subjects on environmental protection, the protection of tribally sacred sites and issues such as the border wall along the boundaries of the Tohono O’odham Nation and Mexico.

“We are hoping that tribes have a unique, critical voice, not only with the elections coming up but the Biden/Harris administration,” said Gov. Lewis.

Gov. Lewis also discussed tribes working with the federal government and protecting tribal sovereignty. He also highlighted the accomplishments of GRIC members who have contributed to the nation such as the late Rodney Lewis and Ira H. Hayes and other veterans who did not have the right to vote after serving in the U.S. military.

“[We] see ourselves as the first Americans, we see our right to vote as sacred and critical to our voice,” said Gov. Lewis.