2024 Endorsements

AMI ADMIRE
she/her
Payómkawichum
Office: San Diego County (CA) Democratic Central Committee, District 75

Ami Admire is an alum of our Native Leadership Institute* and the Executive Director of ‘ataaxum Pomkwaan (For the People), an organization serving Indigenous youth and families by providing resources for mental health and cultural celebration. She has advocated for Indigenous peoples as a member of the California Truth and Healing Council and as a participant in Attorney General Rob Bonta’s Civil Rights Advisory Board.

Ami is a trained teacher with 25+ years experience developing culturally responsive curriculums using a mental health framework including Rez Beats, Native and Indigenous Classes and Clubs, Rincon Youth Storytelling, and is a trained facilitator of Gathering of Native Americans. She is also a recipient of the National Indian Health Board Local Impact Award for making a difference in her community.

* For identification purposes only. The Native Leadership Institute is a non-partisan program.

ANGEL CHARLEY
she/her
Laguna Pueblo, Navajo Nation, and Zuni Pueblo
Office: New Mexico State Senate, District 30

Angel Charley is an alum of our Native Leadership Institute* and has dedicated her career to advocating for the safety of women and children. As the former Executive Director of the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women, she worked tirelessly to amplify the voices of missing and murdered Indigenous women and pushed for policy reforms to combat violence against women. Her efforts have led to tangible, long-lasting change that has made communities safer. Currently, Angel is the Executive Director of IllumiNative, a national organization that uplifts the voices and representation of Native people throughout the country.

Growing up in Old Laguna and deeply connected to her community, Angel carries the values instilled by her mother from Pueblo Pintado on the Navajo Nation. She understands firsthand the challenges faced by working families in rural and Native communities. Her community involvement includes serving on the NM State Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Relatives Task Force, and as Secretary for the Laguna Federation of Democratic Women. Angel resides in the Pueblo of Acoma with her husband and their three children, driven by a passion to improve the lives of working people.

* For identification purposes only. The Native Leadership Institute is a non-partisan program.

ANNA BANOWSKY
she/her
Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
Office: Iowa House of Representatives, District 92

Anna Banowsky is a graduate student pursuing an M.A. in Anthropology at the University of Iowa. Originally from Norman, Oklahoma, she spent her formative years in Redmond, Washington, before settling in Washington, Iowa. With a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Oklahoma, Anna values education deeply, reflecting her upbringing by a schoolteacher and an attorney. As a graduate teaching assistant at the University of Iowa, she advocates for accessible education, teaching courses like Rhetoric and Ancient Medicine.

Anna was inspired to run for office after a public elementary school was forced to close in her community when funding was shifted to support private schools. If elected, Anna aims to be a champion for policies ensuring quality education for all Iowa students, from K-12 through higher education, drawing on her diverse academic background and passion for community.

APRIL HIOSIK IGNACIO
she/her
Tohono O’odham Nation
Office: Pima County (AZ) Board of Supervisors, District 3

April Hiosik Ignacio, a resident of Sells, Arizona, is deeply rooted in District 3, having grown up on the Tohono O’odham Nation. She currently serves as the Warehouse and Fleet Manager at Tohono O’odham Ki:Ki Association, showcasing her commitment to community welfare. Since her youth, April has been actively involved in community service, organizing youth programs and co-founding Indivisible Tohono, a grassroots organization advocating for tribal interests at state and federal levels.

During the pandemic, April initiated the Rez Babes Book Club, fostering a nationwide community of readers focused on Indigenous literature. Her dedication extends to curating community exhibits on topics like Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women & Girls, showcasing Indigenous creativity and resilience. Notably, she co-curated Cause and Effect: That’s What You Get! at the Arizona State Museum, highlighting themes of tribal sovereignty and community resilience through traditional storytelling reinterpretations.

BRITTANY HALL
she/her
Shawnee
Office: Kansas House of Representatives, District 46

Brittany Hall is an alum of our Native Leadership Institute* and a proud resident of Lawrence, Kansas. Originally from Oklahoma, Brittany found her home in Lawrence while attending Haskell Indian Nations University. Inspired by the city’s values of equality, opportunity, and compassion, she’s dedicated to giving back to the community that welcomed her.

As a working single mother and survivor of childhood abuse and neglect, Brittany understands the struggles faced by many in her community. She’s committed to fighting for equal access to healthcare, stable employment, and a safe environment for all Lawrence residents. With her personal experiences driving her advocacy, Brittany aims to be a voice for the voiceless and ensure that every member of her community feels supported and empowered.

* For identification purposes only. The Native Leadership Institute is a non-partisan program.

CHRISTINA HASWOOD
she/her
Navajo Nation
Office: Kansas State Senate, District 2

Christina Haswood, a dedicated advocate for her community, currently serves as the State Representative for District 10 in the Kansas House. As one of the youngest members of the legislature and the only Native American currently serving, she brings a fresh perspective to policymaking. Born and raised in Lawrence, Christina’s upbringing was shaped by her parents’ move from the Navajo reservation in Arizona in pursuit of a better life and more opportunities. Growing up, her family relied on public resources to meet their needs, instilling in her a deep appreciation for community support.

Educated locally, Christina attended Prairie Park Elementary, Billy Mills Middle School, and Lawrence High School before pursuing higher education at Haskell Indian Nations University and Arizona State University. Graduating with degrees in Community Health and Public Health, she continued her studies at the University of Kansas Medical Center, earning a Master’s in Public Health Management in 2020. Today, Christina resides in Lawrence, where she works as a contractor outside of legislative sessions, utilizing her expertise to advocate for the health and safety of all Kansans, with a focus on equity and community well-being.

CHRISTOPHER BRIAN HUDSON
he/him
Navajo Nation
Office: New Mexico House of Representatives, District 9

Christopher Brian Hudson was born and raised in the Gallup/McKinley community and currently resides in TsaYahToh, New Mexico, on the Navajo Nation. With a deep commitment to his community, Christopher serves as the Coordinator for the McKinley Community Health Alliance, tirelessly working to address health, education, economic, and environmental disparities. Through collaboration with local, state, and national agencies, he advocates for wellness and health initiatives, contributing to organizations like Strong Families New Mexico and Somos Gallup.

Christopher’s journey in community organizing and advocacy began during his college years at the University of New Mexico, where he received the prestigious Gates Millennium Scholarship. He has since dedicated himself to grassroots efforts, utilizing his micro-business to engage with and support the needs of his community.

CHRISTOPHER WIER
they/them
Cherokee Nation
Office: Oklahoma House of Representatives, District 4

Christopher Wier is deeply committed to making a difference in rural Oklahoma. A student at Northeastern State University, Christopher’s journey began at Stigler High School, where they were active in the band, Mock Trials, and Student Council. Beyond academics, they have emerged as a community leader, dedicated worker, and passionate advocate for their community.

Christopher is running for Oklahoma House District 4 with a mission to restore power to rural Oklahoma. They are determined to address fundamental challenges such as access to quality healthcare, protecting and funding public education, women’s rights, tribal sovereignty, and preserving the rural way of life.

DAVINA SMITH
she/her
Navajo Nation
Office: Utah House of Representatives, District 69

Davina Smith is running for Utah House of Representatives in District 69 to champion rural and Indigenous communities. Originally from Monument Valley, Utah, Davina is committed to ensuring that rural Utah thrives with fair wages, quality education, and a healthy environment. She recognizes the challenges facing her community, including rising costs, scarce resources, and limited access to healthcare, and is determined to fight for a future where all residents can prosper.

Davina has a diverse background in education, healthcare, and community organizing. She has served as the Director of the Indian Teacher Training program at the University of Utah and as the American Indian Coordinator for the school district, where she developed programs for students of color. Her work extends to advocating for land protection and supporting domestic violence survivors with Diné Bikeyah and Restoring Ancestral Winds. Currently, as a consultant for the National Parks Conservation Association, she builds coalitions to ensure all voices are heard in public land discussions.

DOREEN GARLID
she/her
Navajo Nation
Office: Tempe (AZ) City Council

Doreen Garlid has decades of experience serving her community, including work for the National League of Cities, National Charity League, Tempe Neighborhood Advisory Commission, and many more. Doreen has also played a crucial role in establishing Indigenous Peoples Day as a city holiday and in helping to create the city’s first official land acknowledgment. Her work on housing affordability, homelessness, victim services, and city infrastructure are taking the city in a positive direction, and we are confident she will continue to make progress on these priorities with another term on the council.

A proud member of the Navajo Nation, Doreen made history when Tempe voters overwhelmingly elected her as the first Native American to serve on the Tempe City Council in 2020.

FRANKIE MYERS
he/him
Yurok & Karuk
Office: California State Assembly, District 2

Frankie Myers is currently serving his second term as Vice Chairman of the Yurok Tribe, California’s largest federally recognized tribe. He and his wife are raising five kids on tribal lands in Humboldt County, where their families have lived since time immemorial.

In his role as Vice Chairman, Frankie developed many of the tribe’s high-profile initiatives and has experience building bridges between groups with diverse interests to solve complex problems. He fought successfully for the largest salmon habitat restoration project in history: the removal of four dams on the Klamath River, which reopens 400 miles of salmon habitat. We believe that Frankie has the experience, vision, and tenacity needed to move the region forward on his policy priorities: increasing access to healthcare, addressing the rising cost of living, protecting the environment, and addressing the epidemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People.

JACINDA MORIGEAU
she/her
Bitterroot Salish of the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes
Office: Montana State Senate, District 46

Jacinda Morigeau is a 100th generation Montanan. She currently serves as Vice-Chairperson on the Board of Directors at All Nations Health Center and as a member of the Montana Women Vote advisory board. Additionally, she is the Communications Manager at United Way of Missoula County and a proud graduate of the University of Montana.

Jacinda is running for the Montana State Legislature to bring a new generation of leadership to the state. She aims to protect access to healthcare, make housing attainable, cut property taxes, protect bodily autonomy and choice, support public schools and higher education, address childcare needs, bolster conservation efforts using traditional ecological knowledge, and collaborate with tribal nations. She believes Montana is ready for leaders who represent the people with truth, optimism, and decency.

JACKIE FIELDER
she/her
Three Affiliated Tribes of North Dakota, Two Kettle Lakota, and Hidatsa
Office: San Francisco (CA) Board of Supervisors, District 9

Jackie Fielder has the passion and skills needed to make positive change for San Francisco. She has an impressive record of advocacy: Jackie is co-director of Stop the Money Pipeline, a national campaign that works to disrupt the flow of money to fossil fuel companies. She has also helped found several organizations, including the San Francisco Defund DAPL Coalition, the San Francisco Public Bank Coalition, and Daybreak PAC, which advocates for climate change action and single-payer healthcare.

A graduate of Stanford University and former educator at SF State University, Jackie fought alongside her relatives at Standing Rock against the Dakota Access Pipeline. We believe Jackie has what it takes to make meaningful progress on her policy focuses: income inequality, economic recovery, education, affordable housing and homelessness, climate change, and public safety.

JAMES RAMOS
he/him
Serrano & Cahuilla
Office: California State Assembly, District 45

James Ramos has served as an incredible advocate for Indigenous communities in California. He has sponsored a number of successful bills that work to combat the MMIP epidemic, close the achievement gap between Native and non-Native students, and require state officials to receive training on tribal sovereignty and jurisdiction.

Assemblymember Ramos, a lifelong resident of the San Manuel Indian Reservation and member of the Serrano/Cahuilla tribe, became California’s first Native American state lawmaker in 2018. We are confident that, with another term in the legislature, James will continue to deliver strong results for Native communities, in addition to making progress on homelessness, public safety, and improving the business climate.

JESSICA LOPEZ-WALKER
she/her
Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska
Office: Iowa House of Representatives, District 2

Jessica Lopez-Walker is a dedicated professional and community advocate. She works for FedEx, owns a small business making Native clothing and crafts, and is pursuing her bachelor’s degree. As a mother of five, she balances her career and education as a teacher at Winnebago for Ho-Chunk Renaissance and Little Priest Tribal College. She also volunteers at her community garden and advocates for awareness around the MMIP epidemic. In 2023, she ran for Sioux City Council.

Lopez-Walker is passionate about making a difference in her community. She aims to make it easier for people to bring lawsuits against pesticide companies for causing cancer and secure funding for special education, which has been jeopardized by recent legislation in Iowa.

JONATHAN NEZ
he/him
Navajo Nation
Office: Arizona’s Second Congressional District Representative

Jonathan Nez has devoted his life to public service, having served as Navajo Nation President, Vice President, and Councilmember. As President, he secured crucial investments in infrastructure and healthcare and homes for veterans. He led the Navajo Nation during the COVID-19 pandemic, orchestrating a vaccination drive that resulted in about 70% of the Nation being fully vaccinated by May 2021.

Born in Tuba City and raised in Shonto, Jonathan currently lives in Flagstaff with his wife and their two sons. We are confident that, if elected to Congress, Jonathan would continue to make progress on his policy priorities: infrastructure investment, rural economic development, and lowering costs for childcare and eldercare.

KERRI KECK
she/her
Cherokee Nation
Office: Oklahoma House of Representatives, District 26

Kerri Keck is a veteran with extensive leadership experience in the Oklahoma National Guard. She has given back to her community by volunteering for scholarship programs and local youth and parenting organizations. Kerri grew up in Shawnee, where she currently resides with her husband, who is also a veteran. Her parents’ contributions in the community instilled in Kerri a desire to lead and to serve others.

If elected to the state House, Kerri would be an effective advocate for her policy priorities, which include increasing funding for public education, improving access to affordable healthcare–including mental health services–and providing incentives for small businesses to improve wages and benefits.

LANCE FOURSTAR
he/him
Fort Peck Assiniboine Nation
Office: Montana House of Representatives, District 31

Lance Fourstar has extensive experience in government, having served as a member of the Wolf Point City Council and chairman of the Fort Peck Assiniboine Council. Lance also has extensive advocacy and community service experience; he has been a chairman of the Wolf Point Community Organization, an organizer for Western Native Voice, and a director of the Montana American Indian Caucus.

With this wealth of experience with the legislative process, Lance will be ready to hit the ground running on his policy priorities, which include the fentanyl crisis, suicide prevention, and the epistemic of Missing and Murdered Indigenous People.

LISA FINLEY-DEVILLE
she/her
Mandan and Hidatsa
Office: North Dakota House of Representatives, District 4A

Lisa Finley-DeVille is the first representative for District 4A in the North Dakota state House following redistricting. She is a former chair of North Dakota Native Vote and has been a vocal advocate for addressing the impact of the oil and gas industry on the environment, community health, and safety. Her leadership roles include co-founding the Fort Berthold Protectors of Water and Earth Rights (POWER), serving on the boards of the Dakota Resource Council and the Western Organization of Resource Councils, and being a member of the DRC Oil and Gas Task Force.

A dedicated mother of five and grandmother of eight, Finley-DeVille holds an MBA and a Master of Management from the University of Mary, a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from Nueta, Hidatsa, and Sahnish College, and three associate degrees. She has received numerous accolades, including the North Dakota Human Rights Arc of Justice Award in 2015. Her policy priorities focus on environmental protection, tribal sovereignty, landowner rights, Indigenous education, mental health, and more, aiming to find a balance between sustainability and economic development.

MARY PELTOLA
she/her
Yup’ik
Office: Congress

Mary Peltola has dedicated her life to public service, having served as a Bethel City Councilmember and the first Alaska Native member of the state House of Representatives at the age of 24. An incredible advocate for Alaska Native communities, Mary has also served as Executive Director of the Kuskokwim Inter-Tribal Fish Commission and a member of the Orutsararmiut Native Council Tribal Court. She has succeeded in building bridges among diverse communities and serving as a representative for all Alaskans.

Her campaign is also history-making: Mary became the first Alaska Native congressperson in U.S. history when she was first elected in 2022.

MICHELLE PAULENE ABEYTA
she/her
Navajo Nation
Office: New Mexico House of Representatives, District 69

Michelle “Paulene” Abeyta is from To’hajiilee, New Mexico, where she resides with her husband and their children. A proud graduate of Emerge New Mexico’s Class of 2017, Paulene’s dedication to public service is evident through her diverse education and extensive board involvement. She holds an Associate Degree in Hospitality & Tourism with honors and a certificate in Judicial Studies from Central New Mexico Community College. Paulene earned her Bachelor of Arts degree summa cum laude from the University of New Mexico, double majoring in Native American Studies and Communication with a minor in Geography. She also holds a Juris Doctor degree with a certificate in Indigenous Peoples Law & Policy from the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law.

Paulene serves on the To’hajiilee Community School Board of Education and the National Native American Bar Association Board. Her previous board roles include the Woman, Infants & Children Board for the Acoma-Canoncito-Laguna Service Unit, the Canoncito Band of Navajos Health Center, Inc. Board, and the National Native American Law Students Association. Inspired by the cultural teachings of her maternal grandmother, Paulene’s passion for advocacy and community service is reflected in her work both within and beyond her community.

NATE TYLER
he/him
Makah
Office: Washington House of Representatives District 24, Position 1

Nate Tyler has extensive experience in government, having served for over 12 years as an elected leader of the Makah Tribe, including as Chairman. As a disabled veteran and foster parent, Nate has a wealth of lived experience that informs his approach to his priority issues, which include health equity, mental healthcare, addiction treatment, veteran care, affordable housing, living wage jobs, and climate change. His dedication to community is evident in his work as a youth sports coach for 15 years and his service to numerous organizations, including the SAMHSA Advisory Board, North Olympic Regional Veterans Housing Network, Boys and Girls Club Native Services Advisory Board, and many more.

Nate was born and raised on the Makah Indian Reservation, and remains a strong community leader on the reservation and surrounding areas. He and his wife are parents to four children and grandparents to four grandchildren in addition to the many foster children they have cared for over the years.

PATRICIA ROYBAL CABALLERO
she/her
Piro Manso Tiwa Tribe, Pueblo of San Juan de Guadalupe
Office: New Mexico House of Representatives, District 13

Patricia, a 22nd-generation New Mexican, is the daughter of a late U.S. Army veteran from Las Cruces. Patricia’s parents emphasized the importance of education and community service, leading her to attend Loretto Academy. She holds a B.A. from the University of Colorado in Boulder and dual Master’s degrees in Community and Regional Planning and Public Administration from UNM. Currently, she is a Ph.D. candidate in Chicana and Chicano Studies at UNM. Patricia has over 36 years of experience as a public administrator and community and economic developer, focusing on low-income and working-poor communities.

Patricia has served in numerous civic and advocacy organizations, including as the immediate past LULAC National Treasurer and National Parliamentarian for the League of United Latin American Citizens, the largest Latino civil rights group in the U.S. An experienced union organizer and advocate for workers’ rights, Patricia has championed equal pay and livable wages. As a community economic developer and organizer, she has connected communities with resources to enhance sustainable living, clean air, water, and affordable living opportunities. Patricia is also active in neighborhood coalitions, advocating for local government support on key issues.

PATRICK DEPOE
he/him
Makah
Office: Washington State Commissioner of Public Lands

Patrick is uniquely qualified to be the Commissioner of Public Lands. He is the only candidate who has worked for the state Department of Natural Resources; (he is currently on the Executive Team). As a treaty commercial fisherman, land manager, and 6-year member of the Makah Tribal Council, Patrick has a wealth of knowledge about environmental policy, from forest health and wildfire prevention to habitat restoration and sustainable economic development in rural communities. He also has leadership experience across a wide range of environmental management organizations, including the Pacific Fishery Management Council, the Northwest Indian Fish Commission, the Washington Environmental Justice Council, and many more.

Patrick’s campaign is historic: if he wins, he will be the first Native American elected to statewide office in the Pacific Northwest.

REGAN RAFF
she/her
Chickasaw
Office: Oklahoma House of Representatives, District 39

Regan Raff is a small business owner, accounting professional, wife, mother, and community advocate. As a lifelong Oklahoman and a proud graduate of Edmond Public Schools, she is running for state representative to give back to the community that nurtured her upbringing.

Regan is committed to increasing funding for public education, protecting the right to choose, and improving access to affordable healthcare. Regan’s commitment to community is evident in her work promoting literacy as Co-Chair of the Gathering of Angels fundraiser and her service as a board member of the Junior League of Oklahoma City. Regan lives in Edmond with her husband and three children.

SHEA BACKUS
she/her
Cherokee Nation
Office: Nevada State Assembly, District 37

Shea Backus, a third-generation Nevadan, embodies the spirit of “Home Means Nevada.” Shea is a proud product of Nevada’s public education system, from kindergarten through law school, and a graduate of Clark High School. She studied law at Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law, focusing on Native American legal issues, and interned for the U.S. Department of Justice in 2002. Returning to Las Vegas, Shea began practicing law with her father and is now a shareholder of a small business.

Shea has a long history of community service, volunteering at an at-risk elementary school, overseeing the Volunteer Income Tax Association in law school, and providing pro bono legal representation to abused and neglected children. Shea is running for re-election to continue to represent Assembly District 37, aiming to enhance education, economic growth, clean energy, and access to affordable healthcare in Nevada. Her extensive legal experience with Nevada’s Revised Statutes and State Constitution bolsters her legislative ambitions.

TAWNA SANCHEZ
she/her
Shoshone-Bannock, Ute, & Carrizo
Office: Oregon House of Representatives, District 43

Tawna Sanchez is a dedicated advocate and proven progressive who has spent her life helping strengthen the community around her. Representative Sanchez, who grew up in Portland, is a leader in the area of child welfare and foster care, demonstrating both personal and professional leadership by nurturing over 18 foster children.

As Co-founder and Family Services Director for NAYA (Native American Youth and Family Center), Tawna has served both Native and non-Native communities for over 25 years, providing early childhood education, health care, workforce training, housing assistance, domestic violence services, and more. In the legislature, Tawna has championed successful legislation that strengthens tribal consultation requirements, protects sovereignty, and directs resources to fighting the MMIP epidemic. She has also served on the board of several community organizations, including Red Lodge Transitional Services and the Na’ah Illahee Fund.

VERONICA KRUPNICK
she/her
Hopi, Jemez Pueblo, Navajo Nation
Office: New Mexico State Senate, District 24

Veronica Krupnick is a 28-year-old Indigenous leader and native New Mexican, deeply connected to her community. Raised on green chile, arroyo walks, and watermelon sunsets, she has dedicated her life to protecting children, young people, and families. Her determination is rooted in her personal experience in the New Mexico foster care system, which taught her the important lesson that policy is personal.

Veronica’s service to the community began at 10 years old as a Peer Conflict Mediator, navigating the challenges of her fifth-grade playground while transitioning from foster care to adoption. She quickly advanced from a campaign assistant to serving as the Leadership Analyst and Child Welfare Specialist for House Majority Leader Gail Chasey. Before this, she spent five years working directly with system-impacted youth, building the Mentorship, Advocacy, and Peer Support Program for CASA First. Veronica is committed to fighting for the holistic well-being and safety of New Mexican children and families. As a candidate for Senate District 24, she embodies compassion, courage, and fierce community advocacy, ready to champion the future of New Mexico.