(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . Keep Hunnay, Meeka, Faithful, & Mr. Blue on the Road for Democracy on Native Lands. [1] ['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.'] Date: 2024-06-01 Did you know that driving on Native Nations is like putting your car through dog years? A vehicle with 100,000 miles on a Tribal Reservation is like one with ten times that in a typical city. That’s because the rugged, unpaved roads of rural Arizona take a brutal toll on vehicles. And for the Northeast Arizona Native Democrats' tireless field organizers, those miles add up fast. Anyone who's organized in rural tribal areas knows that cars take a brutal beating. Our team of seven dedicated organizers at the Northeast Arizona Native Democrats knows this firsthand. Seasoned campaigners like Lorraine Coin (Hopi) and Casey Lee (Navajo) are out there every day, educating voters, engaging in community discussions, and making sure every voice is heard. Brutal Tribal Roads with wash boards in Monument Valley. But their tireless year-round efforts come at a cost. Vehicles like Casey's Nissan Sentra, with over 254,704 miles, Lorraine's "Little Blue" with 243,135 miles, and Janice's truck with 221,000 miles have all endured conditions far beyond typical city driving. Recent repairs, including new brakes and off-road tires, have cost one organizer over $2,150. We've lost track of the blown tires, cracked windshields, and worse. Northeast Arizona's rugged terrain is a graveyard for tires, and that's bad news for Hunnay, Faithful, Mr. Blue, and Meeka – the trusty vehicles our organizers rely on. We're proud to pay our local organizers a living wage to work in their own communities. But that's not enough. These unexpected expenses can quickly become a financial burden and that is why we’ve launched the Northeast Arizona Native Democrats’ “Faithful” Fund - a dedicated vehicle repair fund to help our organizers keep their trusty rides on the road for the Democratic cause. Your donation can make a real difference. “Off the beaten path” — This is a real road! The Roads Less Traveled The rural roads of Arizona are punishing. Most aren't paved, and they're battered by extreme weather. Our field team covers hundreds of miles each week, visiting voters in far-flung areas, setting up booths at flea markets and crossroads, and hosting events. They rely on their vehicles to reach every corner of this vast region. We want you to meet these essential vehicles and the organizers who depend on them. Meet the Team (and Their Wheels): Casey’s car Meeka (back) in her typical role as voter-reg. support. Meeka: Casey's car, a Nissan Sentra workhorse for registering voters across the northern Navajo Nation, coming in at 254,704 miles. Mr. Black: Janice's Dodge Ram 2500 pickup truck, navigating rough roads from Cameron to Monument Valley to Window Rock, currently at 221,000 miles. Hunnay: Loren's SUV, a lifeline during last winter's harsh weather, delivering emergency supplies and helping stranded residents, came in at 165,000 miles. Hunnay (Loren’s car) out in all-weather conditions, year-round, to fulfill our Mission- Reach Voters Across NEAZ Sovereign Lands. Faithful, aka Dinosaur: Lorraine's Ford F250 pickup truck, hauling everything from food to coal for those in need, always ready to transport voters, currently at 243,135 miles. “Faithful,” aka Dinosaur, in her winter coat on Hopi Tribal Lands. Our work goes beyond knocking on doors during election cycles. We're building lasting political power, trust and engagement in Indigenous communities. Our year-round organizing efforts on Hopi and Navajo sovereign lands are just some examples of our commitment to fostering informed and active Native Voters who understand their stake in every election. Hunnay (back) getting a tire change at midnight… again :( [Donate VIA ACT BLUE] https://secure.actblue.com/donate/neaznd_faithful_vehicle_fund We do it by hiring local experts who understand their communities. Organizers like Loren, Casey, Lorraine, and Janice have dedicated themselves to this work for years. They spend countless hours in deep conversations with voters, often far off the beaten path. Your donation helps ensure they can continue to reach every voter and we need your help. Your donations to the “Faithful” Fund will directly support vehicle maintenance and repairs, ensuring our organizers can reach every corner of Northeast Arizona nd empower every voter. Please donate today to the NEAZ Native Democrats' "Faithful" Vehicle Repair Fund and help keep our organizers on the road for democracy. Thank you for supporting our team's vital work in Northeast Arizona's sovereign lands. Checks may also be mailed and made out to: Navajo County Democrats — PO Box 144, Lakeside, AZ 85929 · (928) 369-6735 Ahé hee’ Thank you, [END] --- [1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/6/1/2243768/-Keep-Hunnay-Meeka-Faithful-amp-Mr-Blue-on-the-Road-for-Democracy-on-Native-Lands?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=latest_community&pm_medium=web Published and (C) by Daily Kos Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/