“Warrior Up To Vote” event to feature Zahn McClaron and Tatanka Means

(MUSCOGEE RESERVATION) United Indian Nations of Oklahoma (UINO) is gearing up to increase Native voter turnout with a star-studded lineup this Monday.

UINO will host the Warrior Up To Vote Rally at River Spirit Casino on September 30. The event will also include a Sovereignty 101 Summit and a candidate forum that attendees can sign up for here. 

Well-known Native actors Zahn McClaron and Tatanka will be onsite encouraging Native people to exercise their right to vote. 

“We hope bringing performers like Zahn McClarnon and Tatanka Means to our September 30 voter registration rally and candidate forum will capture the attention of our Tribal communities," said Margo Gray (Osage), Executive Director of UINO. "We're willing to do whatever it takes to get Natives of all ages and backgrounds to our rally to register to vote and hear the candidates' positions on the issues."

With the second highest Indigenous population in the country, Oklahoma also ranks last place in the nation for voter turnout. 

Ensuring Native Americans in Oklahoma are registered to vote is especially crucial following the state’s recent purge of 450,000 people from the voter registration rolls. 

195,000 of the voters purged had not voted in at least four consecutive general elections over the last eight years. 

“We cannot afford to have our voices silenced by bureaucratic processes," said Ben Barnes, UINO Chairperson and Chief of the Shawnee Tribe. "The recent voter purge in Oklahoma is alarming, but it's a stark reminder of how critical it is for Native people to ensure they are registered voters. Our sovereignty, our representation, and our futures are at stake. We must stand up, united as Natives, and Warrior Up to Vote."

The Warrior Up to Vote Rally will walk attendees through the process of determining if they are still registered to vote and help them register if they’re not. 

Tribal leaders and legal scholars will also be on site to speak at the Sovereignty 101 Summit and candidate forum from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

The rally with McClarnon and Means will follow from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., with Chance Rush as the D.J. for the event. 

In addition to Monday’s events, UINO has been traveling around Oklahoma to different tribal headquarters and facilities to help Native Americans register to vote. 

Upcoming events include a voter registration drive on October 3 in Oklahoma City at the Songbird Plaza and Hill Pavilion and a Warrior Up To Vote event at the Chickasaw Nation Festival in Ada on October 5. 

The deadline for unregistered voters to get signed up in time for the November election is October 11.