The month of June marks a special anniversary of sorts for Native people. For most Americans, the right to vote is guaranteed in the U.S. Constitution; however, the federal government denied Native Americans voting rights until June 2nd 1924, and some states waited until the 1960s to extend this vital right. Native Americans still face discriminatory laws and unreasonable burdens when trying to exercise the right to vote. Some states have enacted voting schemes such as districting that effectively dilute Indian votes.
South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem lashed out at Target executives over a charitable donation given to a group that supports the return of federal land, including Mount Rushmore, to Native Americans. Target has found itself at the center of right-wing anger over corporations supporting social causes including LGBTQ+ rights and racial equity programs, accusing these companies of turning their backs on conservatives. The brouhaha began with backlash toward some of Target’s 2023 Pride collection but has grown to include scrutiny of the company’s culture and other programs surrounding LGBTQ+ and racial inclusivity.
Those are your headlines at this hour. I’m Colette Keith in the KIPI News center
