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A special project for centennial of ‘Indigenous Americans’ voting rights
commentary
September 25, 2024
A special project for centennial of ‘Indigenous Americans’ voting rights
By JOE DORMAN OICA CEO

OKLAHOMA CITY – With National Voter Registration Day which occurred on September 17, which is also Constitution Day, there has been much excitement geared around ensuring people are able to cast a vote, not only in the upcoming General Election on November 5, but also for every subsequent election held.

Unfortunately, Oklahoma’s voter turnout has been dismal the past several elections, ranking anywhere from 48th to 50th among states for percentage of voters submitting a ballot.

Some might ask, “What does this have to do with child advocacy?” When advocates work through the different levels of government, the officials who have been selected by this minority of registered voters are the ones who are deciding the policies.

I have been very fortunate to work with some great elected officials, often surprising me with just how solidly they have supported youth issues. One of the parts of my job at the Oklahoma Institute for Child Advocacy (OICA) that I most enjoy is getting to work with officials to shape solutions to benefit Oklahoma’s children. Many officials have truly stepped up in times of need to provide better opportunities for youth.

Voting has not always been accessible to all Americans. White, property-owning males were the first legal voters in our newly formed nation. Then, the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution passed by Congress on February 26, 1869, and ratified by the states on February 3, 1870, granted Black American men the right to vote.

It took nearly 50 years, but Congress passed on June 4, 1919, and the states ratified on August 18, 1920, the 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote. Then, on June 2, 1924, Congress enacted the Indian Citizenship Act, granting citizenship to all Indigenous Americans born in the U.S. The right to vote, however, was governed by state law. Until 1957, some states barred Indigenous Americans from voting.

The Voting Rights Act of 1965, extended in 1970, 1975, and 1982, abolished all remaining deterrents to exercising the right to vote and authorized federal supervision of voter registration where necessary. In 2013, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a key provision of the act involving federal oversight of voting rules in nine states with histories of discrimination.

As 2024 is the 100th anniversary of federal voting rights for Indigenous Americans, OICA is working on a voter awareness project which will impact young Oklahomans. With permission from the Ben Harjo estate, we are using his “Warriors of Fire” print as the basis for a poster for each high school in Oklahoma, including the link for registering to vote online.

Ben was a personal friend and an avid voter, so his wife Barbara loved the idea of using this to encourage people to register. Thanks to generous support from the Cherokee Nation, we have the initial funding raised for the printing. If you would like to assist with this effort, you can go to oica. org to make a donation; for each $100 donated, the donor will receive a copy of the poster.

Additionally, OICA this week will kick off our “Chalk the Vote” efforts for educators in the upcoming General Election. We have gotten off to a late start with some staff changes in our office, so I am looking forward to announcing our new team members in a column soon I also want to note that on Monday, I celebrated my eighth anniversary working for OICA, and I was honored to attend the 94th birthday celebration of Melvin Moran on Saturday. We share September 18th as a birthday, but I am a few years behind him. Happy birthday, Melvin!

Braving the festival, honoring a friend
A: Main, news
Braving the festival, honoring a friend
By LENORE BECHTEL 
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Every Labor Day weekend since moving to Oklahoma, I thought about going to the Dusk to Dawn Blues Festival. But the idea of a yard party running from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. was intimidating—and I could neve...
A: Main, news
Man injured diving into shallow water
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A 22-year-old Yukon man was injured when he dove from a pontoon boat into shallow water at Lake Eufaula, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Patrick Tanner reportedly stopped his vessel to swim ...
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Man found dead in yard; possible suspect investigated
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WARNER – Warner Police responded to a call early Saturday morning about a dead man laying outside of a residence in the area of Fifth and Third streets. The deceased has been identified as 51-year-old...
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Wellness Day for seniors Sept. 16
September 3, 2025
Heritage Home Care’s fifth annual Senior Wellness Day will be held Tuesday, Sept. 16, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 126 N. 1st St. (now Bridges Street), which is the former location of Family Dollar. The e...
A: Main, news
Looking ahead: Firm to help guide the way
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
September 3, 2025
What will Eufaula look like in 50 years? Without a plan, it’s anybody’s guess. But the City Council has taken steps to remove at least some of the guesswork. At a special meeting Friday, Aug. 29, the ...
Wine and Art Festival extravaganza Saturday
A: Main, news
Wine and Art Festival extravaganza Saturday
By JERRY FINK MANAGING EDITOR 
September 3, 2025
What: Vision Eufaula Wine & Art Festival When: Saturday Sept. 6, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Where: 150 N. Front St. Information: 405-248-2992 or visit visioneufaula.org The fourth annual Wine and Art Festival ...
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5 in race for state school superintendent
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5 in race for state school superintendent
By Jennifer Palmer Oklahoma Watch 
September 3, 2025
So far, five candidates are running to lead Oklahoma’s public education system as state superintendent in 2026. Former Tulsa school board members Jennettie Marshall, a Democrat, and Jerry Griffin, an ...
DOC Director stepping down
news
DOC Director stepping down
By KEATON ROSS OKLAHOMA WATCH 
September 3, 2025
Oklahoma Department of Corrections Director Steven Harpe, one of the highest paid officials in state government, will step down on Sept. 30 to take a private sector job. “I’m extremely proud of my tim...
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Class of ’65 reunion set for Sept. 12
September 3, 2025
Graduates of the Eufaula High School Class of 1965 will get together from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, Sept 12, at the Legacy on Main Street, 224 N. Main St. Graduates of the classes of ’64 and ’66 are...
A site out of this world
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A site out of this world
By MIKE BARNES 
September 3, 2025
In Eufaula, a town where gossip can outpace the mail, a story is slowly gaining momentum. It isn’t about the latest fishing tournament or Friday night football, but about a cosmic visitor called 3I/ A...
Rest, reflections, and farewells
commentary
Rest, reflections, and farewells
By JOE DORMAN OICA CEO 
September 3, 2025
OKLAHOMA CITY – I hope your Labor Day weekend was full of relaxation. I schedule a vacation each year with friends to get away over this holiday which allows me to “charge up the batteries” for upcomi...
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