Native Americans over 18 years old should register to vote.  Make sure your race states you are Native American.  We need to send the right leaders to Columbia and Washington, DC.  Remember your right to vote was bought and paid for with the blood of many, both on battle fields and on the streets across the United States.  To not vote is no way to show Honor to the ones that gave you that freedom.

 

Th Pee Dee Indian people do not have any political power.  Power that could be used to obtain assistance from the politicians that are seeking to be elected to any office of government.  The reason for this is that the Indian people do not want to register to vote.  Some believe the myth that they will be callled to perform Jury Duty.  This is not true.  There are some Indians registered to vote, but are listed as White on their card.  Indians cannot be counted as a voting block unless they are registered as Native Americans.  If you are Indian and registered check your card to see what race you are registered as.  If it's White please go have it changed.  If your not registered at all, please do so this is our only way to have a voice and let it be heard.

 

The total number of registered Native American voters in Marlboro County as of October 1, 2007 are only 645!  Now we know there are 3 times that many, if all would register and vote.  If the Indian people have the hope and dream of seeing any Indians in some of the elected positions that could help our people, then they need to register and elect some Indians to both City, County, and State Government.  We can do it.

 

Another problem we have is that the citizens of our communities do not know they have Indians living among them.  How is that possible?  Well, the kids are not registered as Indians in our schools.  The Indians that say they are Indians will not step out into the Public Eyes and let everyone know they are Indian. 

 

If you are not willing to register to vote as Indian or register your children in school as Indians or let the public know you are Indian; then please do not say you are Indian.  Because you are not, true Indians are proud to be known as Indians.  I am sorry for these people who think they are white because they have white on their birth certificate.  They should do a genealogy search and get a big surprise.

 

The Indian people that are proud and not ashamed of their heritage could really do alot to change the political picture.  If they would only come together and support the election process to put good leaders in office.  We must stand together and make our voices heard by the ones that we have in the elected office.

 

Remember we will elect a new President and leaders of our Nation in November 2008.  Please register and vote, your vote does count and you should be proud that you have a right to vote because many died to give us that freedom to vote.  If anyone needs help with voter registration then call 843-523-6790 for assistance.