On Tuesday, Vice President Mike Pence met members of Montana’s Crow Tribe and U.S. Senator Steve Daines to officially accept the endorsement by Tribal Chairman Alvin Not Afraid, Jr.
“Today I stand before you to endorse, as well as support, President Trump, Vice President Pence,” said Not Afraid, Jr.
According to Indian Country Today:
“The Crow, since the early 1800s have always been an ally to the government,” Not Afraid, Jr. said. “From the Battle of Little Bighorn, World War II, Vietnam, and I, myself in the Marine Corp just after Desert Storm.”
He added the Trump administration has helped the Crow Tribe in amending the Tribal Employment Rights Ordinance which allowed them to permit their own mineral resources.
The chairman also said he’s worked with the other candidates in various capacities including through Congressional hearings he’s testified at.
On the Crow Tribe website, it features a quotation from Not Afraid, Jr., saying, “More than anything, we desire to improve the Crow quality of life. We strive to create a future that provides an abundance of good-paying jobs while providing hope and prosperity for generations of Crow citizens. Through unity, the Apsáalooke people shall prosper.”
The endorsement of Trump and other Republican candidates marks a shift for Indigenous people who support the America First policies of the Trump/Pence administration.
Last month during the Republican National Convention, Navajo Nation Vice President Myron Lizer endorsed President Trump in a video standing in front of the historic Shiprock in northeast New Mexico.
Later, Lizer wrote on Twitter, “Ahé’hee, Thank you Mr. President @realDonaldTrump for sharing my #RNC2020 video on your Twitter account. As mentioned, we welcome you to our Navajoland, as we look forward to hosting you, to discuss economic development on opportunity zones near the Navajo Nation.”
Across the Navajo Nation, billboards sponsored by TurningPoint USA have been raised to build awareness for Indigenous people supporting President Trump.
In June, during the heat of the COVID-19 pandemic, President Trump’s son, Don Jr. addressed the Navajo Nation across the radiowaves.
“No Navajo child should have to leave the Navajo Nation to pursue the American dream,” said Don Jr. He also mentioned that the Trump Victory team and his team will have “staff on the grown throughout the campaign,” something many Republican candidates have not done in the Navajo Nation.
The tides appear to be turning in the Navajo Nation and other Tribal nations across the United States, where Indigenous people seem to be walking away from the Democrat Party.