(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . We've been on an amazing journey together! Thank you Navajo County-NE Arizona Native Democrats. [1] ['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.', 'Backgroundurl Avatar_Large', 'Nickname', 'Joined', 'Created_At', 'Story Count', 'N_Stories', 'Comment Count', 'N_Comments', 'Popular Tags'] Date: 2023-04-04 Election Night 2020 with mom and grandniece in Window Rock, AZ, Navajo Nation. We have been on an amazing journey together. I asked for your help to organize Navajo, Apache, and Hopi voters in northeast Arizona (Navajo, Apache, and Coconino Counties) starting in July 2020. Since then the Navajo County Democrats and Northeast Arizona Native Democrats have become one of the premiere rural and Indigenous led grassroots organizing teams. We have supported other progressive groups as they have sought to set up their own programs. Donors trust us because they know we do the work. We connect our candidates with our teams early and often. We’ve built incredibly successful programs that win elections and center on our communities. I am grateful to have been a part of this team and blessed to call this amazing group of humans family. Thank you for entrusting me to lead, being flexible, experimenting with ideas and putting them into action. I am moving on from my role as the Executive Director of the Navajo County Democrats and Northeast Native Democrats to lead Arizona Native Vote, a new 501c3 nonprofit, non-partisan organization to continue expanding voter education, outreach, registration, and community service efforts with Indigenous and rural communities. (I will have more to say about Arizona Native Vote-ANV later this week) but for now let me focus on my time with the Navajo County Democrats and Northeast Arizona Native Democrats. Team meeting in the White Mountains 2021. Since joining the team in 2020, over 100 Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizers have worked with the Navajo County Democrats and Northeast Native Democrats. Sixty have been hired by Northeast Arizona Native Democrats, at various points of an election cycle, and most importantly many stayed employed to organize in their communities in non-election years. More than 1,400 volunteers have been trained by the team to reach more voters and have connected thousands of voters to their local organizer. As of this week hundreds of volunteers are again committing their time, treasure, and energy to assist the field team in this crucial build year.. This team has worked hard to center voters and as a collective, continue to speak up to make sure our communities are represented and heard - because we matter. We are power! Indigenous and rural communities deserve so much more investment and this team is doing their part and more. Year-round organizing and being consistent is the key, and it is why our team has been successful and our communities so responsive. We do what we can to serve our communities: we do more than just ask for votes. Our team members really care about making positive changes in their communities, are holding leaders accountable, and are making space for Indigenous people to lead. Indigenous and rural voters delivered big wins these past three elections and we need to continue shining a light on these accomplishments and invest in these communities because they have: Elected more Democrats up and down the ballot amid a global pandemic and in a midterm election Secured the Arizona win margin for the White House Turned Arizona’s U.S. Senate seatblue–twice Elected more Native Americans to our counties and state offices Educated and engaged communities on redistricting efforts that take place once every 10 years Increased voter registration and turnout every year Raised more than $750,000 dollars Provided mutual aid to over 500 families And lead over two dozen community service projects in the region since 2020 I am so proud of how this team from Hopi, Navajo, White Mountain Apache, the border towns, and everywhere in between, stepped up time and again to serve their communities and rally around each other. From helping people during the height of the pandemic, to the extreme temperatures and weather conditions, unpredictable road conditions, and vast distances; through times of uncertainty, times of triumph, through the loss and hardships; our team and supporters have been there thinking of others and helping each other. I witnessed this first hand so many times. Missa and Steve would make 5-8 hour round trips to connect with organizers and volunteers for supply drops. Lorraine was the sole organizer in Hopi during the pandemic and was still able to register voters then go on to build capacity to do more. Her team and their voting power is Hopi. It’s the same story of caring and compassion with Marian and Lydia in Whiteriver and Cibecue, Casey in Kayenta, and other organizers and volunteers in small towns across Apache, Navajo, and Coconino County. It was inspiring to see team members working together to “cure” ballots, locating a voter hours before a deadline, notifying them to sign their ballot, or drive them back to the polls. Our team did what was needed to so that every voter could be registered properly and cast their ballot. I loved that we provided opportunities and trained and hired so many incredible local people to do the work in their own communities. They were the experts and got so many good things done. I was moved during redistricting when so many non-Indigenous allies and friends stepped up and testified one right after the other to the committee and eloquently advocated for fair and equitable district maps that uplifted Indigenous communities, contributions, and voters. There are so many stories to tell and lessons learned. I will cherish them always. Perhaps this is my future book. Ahe'hee’ / Thank you Lorraine Coin, Casey Lee, Lydia Dosela, Marian Quintero, Deydrek Scott, Joanne Peshlakai, her family, Loretta Chino, her family, Sandra, Wade, Priscilla, John, Danielle, Lucy, Della, Steven, Joe, Luther, Ferlin, Suzy, Marge, Everett, Roz, Jonathan, Beatrice, Dylan, Braden, Darren, Danise, Cindy, Jandi, Sunnirose, Sareya, Leila, Loren, Steve, Eis, Missa, Kim, Sheryl, the Daily Kos community, and so many more who pitched in and helped over the years. I am in awe of your leadership, the matriarchs, volunteers, donors, and allies who have gone to great lengths to support the team, our communities, and vision. Thank you so much for believing in me and all that you do. Everyday this team has reminded me why I do this work. Why I love it. It’s for the love of our people and community. It’s because we are power. It’s because we have hope and want more for our family, friends, and relatives. Thank you to my family for their support and having my back when I was on the road, in countless meetings, missing things. To my parents for joining me in the field, translating in Diné, and allowing me to tell their stories. My sisters who helped rally their friends and co-workers for an event, testimony, petition signing, getting out the vote. For my nieces and nephew for their energy, art, and laughter. This truly is Family Votes. February and March has been a particularly difficult time for me because of the passing of my mentor and cheii, Peterson Zah, in addition to several Navajo leaders and elders we’ve lost. We’re reminded of their powerful teachings and impact, and how much they loved us. I am also comforted by their fight and how hard they worked for us to be here. They carved out a path for us to follow, to lead, and carry our people forward. This work is generational and I am here for all of it. This write up may sound like a goodbye, but I assure you it is not, it’s more of a see you later and thank you. I will continue doing the work, it'll just be in another capacity. And I will do my best to carry on the legacy of Mr. Zah and our Diné leaders and elders. And so will the Navajo County Democrats and Northeast Arizona Native Democrats. Indigenous organizing team 2020. Still doing the work. Please stay tuned and get involved with one of the best organizing teams in Arizona and donate to the Navajo County Democrats-Northeast Arizona Native Democrats field efforts today. They have an extraordinary new Director of Campaigns and Engagement, Loren Marshall, and have an amazing Democratic county board lead by Missa Foy, Casey Lee, and Alfred Lomahquahu. Gear up for election Na Native Vote 2024! Some quick reminders about the work and impact of the Navajo County Democrats-Northeast Arizona Native Democrats: + The team does all of its own fundraising and does not receive funding from any candidates or campaigns. More than 95% of the budget is supported by individual donors. + Northeast Arizona Native Democrats was created with three (3) main goals: + Increase Native American and rural turnout and build political power Elect more Democrats Build a bench of future party leaders and elected officials + Today the Navajo County Democrats and Northeast Arizona Native Democrats continue to be the only year round organizing group on and off sovereign lands. They need more help. This year, the team has initiated more mutual aid and relief efforts in addition to providing impactful community service projects because it makes sense, and it complements the overall voter outreach work. Simply, this team has done a lot more than just ask for votes. This team genuinely invests in communities all year long. Travel distance across CD01, LD06, and LD07 is roughly the area of Indiana. This region is vast and more people power and financial investment is needed to close the gaps and reach more voters. Fill in the gaps; there is still a severe lack of financial investment in rural and tribal regions. We can do better. Tribes make great partners; the majority of Native American voters are registered Democrat and vote Democrat. Make the investment. Rural and tribal voters can swing elections when we invest. It’s been proven, not only in Arizona, but in many other states with large tribal populations as well. We must flip AZ-CD02 to be lead by an Indigenous woman Democratic Party values and issues align more closely with some Indigenous values. More must be done. In Navajo, Apache, and Coconino County, we have large tribal population centers and many of these community members are strong Democratic voters We have more work to do in the bordertowns and in those parts of the county that continue to intimidate, discriminate, and work to disenfranchise Native American, Black, and Brown rural voters. Stay motivated. Get involved. Protect voting rights. Help community. Thank you / Ahe'hee’. Jaynie Parrish, former Executive Director Navajo County Democrats & Northeast Arizona Native Democrats (see past updates and stories from Jaynie here) As I transition to my new role as founder and president of Arizona Native Vote (ANV) stay connected with me and as we build up our team by signing up here. ------ So many stories to share! Thank you for letting me tell them. Family Votes Matriarchs — Hopi Kayenta Fleamarket Team. Dad joined. Navajo and Hopi matriarchs and NE AZ Native Dems team at the fleamarket. GOTV in Coconino County Jaynie and Missa after a long day after the White Mountain Apache parade. Register to vote in Window Rock. Jaynie, Loren, Casey, and Wade in the early morning hours prior to the Navajo Nation Parade in Window Rock, AZ. Where I love to be! With the people. Standing up for abortion rights and reproductive freedom in Flagstaff. Representing Indigenous voices. Providing testimony at a redistricting meeting. Parade and GOTV fun with Casey and crew. Amazing Family Votes meeting with these incredible women in Chinle. Car parades- GOTV. My mom Rosie always supporting me and when she can joins me in the field. My dad James, a veteran, elders, farm board members and always wanting more for our people and communities. 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