Why It Matters: Native Voting Rights in Nevada
Throughout Nevada, what barriers do Indigenous people face and what issues do they turn out for? Join us for a discussion with Indigenous leaders Janet Davis, Lynn Manning-John, and Tammi Tiger as we discuss the history of Native voting rights in Nevada, as well as current contemporary advocacy and voter engagement in Nevada tribal communities. This virtual event is moderated by Dr. Todd Felts, Teaching Associate Professor of Public Relations & Advertising at the Reynolds School of Journalism at the University of Nevada, Reno.This event live streamed on on Thursday, March 18, 2021 at 4 pm PST.
Photo: Jason Bean/Reno Gazette Journal.
Janet Davis (Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe) is currently the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Chairwoman. She retired from the Washoe County School District after 30 years of working at Natchez Elementary School. Davis worked closely with the Pyramid Lake Tribe and Four Directions to secure a satellite polling site on the Pyramid Lake Reservation in 2016. She has supported the Native Vote movement through canvassing the local community, registering Tribal members, supporting Native Vote activities, and ensuring tribal members continue to work the polls during the elections.
Lynn Manning John (Shoshone-Paiute/Chippewa-Cree) is an enrolled member of the Duck Valley Shoshone-Paiute Tribes. She is an educator currently serving as the Vice Principal of the Owyhee Combined School. Mrs. Manning John holds a BA in Education and Child Study from Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts and an MEd in Educational Leadership from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Tammi Tiger (Choctaw | Creek | Scottish) is an administrator with more than 20 years of experience in local government and nonprofit sectors. She led the Las Vegas Indian Center’s 2020 Native Vote program as part of a nationwide effort toward historic turnout. She co-founded Native Voters Alliance Nevada project and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Native American Alumni Club (‘15 MPA). She currently serves as Vice-Chair of United Natives—an organization that mentors Native youth in civic engagement, leadership, and cultural activities.
This program is produced by Nevada Humanities and funded by the “Why It Matters: Civic and Electoral Participation” initiative, administered by the Federation of State Humanities Councils and funded by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
