National Native News teams up with New Mexico PBS/KNME and Vision Maker Media to highlight the Native vote in 2016. The four-part series focuses on education, economic development, the environment and justice.  The segments feature young Native people who discuss the issues and voting.

Part-1: Education

The Obama administration initiative Generation Indigenous was created to increase support and provide opportunities for Native students across the country including in New Mexico. In the first part of Elections 2016: Voting For Future Generations, Native educator Amidooli “Ami” Pacheco (Kewa) shares his thoughts on education and the presidential election.

Part-2: Economic Development

Economic development and job growth, both on tribal lands and in urban areas, is an issue Native voters see in the 2016 elections. In this segment, Henry Jake Foreman (Absentee Shawnee) shares his view on entrepreneurship among Native youth. Foreman created a co-op and supports students who are seeking to bring their business idea into reality.

Part 3- Environment

Protecting the environment is a key issue for some Native voters in New Mexico this election year. In two-stories, we speak with Leona Morgan who played a role in halting uranium mining on Navajo land. We also follow brothers Zachariah and Joe Ben who share insights on the cultural and economic importance of farming in the Shiprock area, which was devastated by the 2015 Gold King Mine waste spill.

Part 4- Justice

In Indian Country, the concept of justice is not just the Western model of policing and the courts. In our final segment of our election series, we hear from Aaron Sims and Jonathan Sims who are playing roles in legal efforts to bring home sacred items to Acoma Pueblo. We also hear from activists who are members of The Red Nation in Albuquerque, which has protested how Native people and other people of color are treated by police.