Walz said the Biden administration understands what tribal sovereignty means to Native peoples and how those relationships are created between governments.

“You have to have a seat at the table — but often no one knows where the table is, and with Vice President Harris you know it’s in the White House,” he said. “Our tribal nations are part of this conversation that makes our country great.”

Walz said tribal sovereignty and relationships depend on strengthening our interactions and treatment of each other.

“You know what’s good for your community, you know what’s best for your community, and you know what leadership in your community looks like,” he said, adding that working together as partners is important.

Lewis welcomed Walz to Arizona, saying his presence in the community speaks so loudly about the priority he and Harris have placed on the relationship between governments and tribes across the country.

“Our federal and state partners matter (and) having partners like you and Vice President Harris in the White House will certainly matter,” Lewis said. He noted how Walz’s work as governor of Minnesota has demonstrated his strong commitment to strengthening tribal sovereignty and upholding the trust and treaty responsibility of tribal nations.

“If you provide tribes with the resources, tribes can bring real innovation,” Lewis said, noting that the Gila River Indian Community’s innovation can be seen in its efforts in water conservation and green energy, putting it at the forefront plays a role in persistent climate change. problems.

“We know that for Indian Country we cannot go back and we cannot go back,” Lewis said, adding that going back would mean a time when tribal sovereignty was eroded, water and land were stolen, and indigenous children, women and the elderly were not protected.

Mary Kim Titla, executive director of United National Indian Tribal Youth (UNITY), attended Walz’s event at the Sheraton and saw it as an opportunity to talk with Walz about Native youth. UNITY is an organization that promotes personal development, citizenship and leadership among indigenous youth.

Titla said the opportunity to speak with Walz was an excellent opportunity for her to share how mental health is one of the top three issues impacting Indigenous youth.

UNITY surveys Indigenous youth every year, and Titla said mental health is one of the biggest concerns for Indigenous youth. Therefore, the new government must know and understand that increased financing and access to quality healthcare is an urgent need.

“I wanted him to know that their votes matter,” Titla said.

Titla said she was happy to hear from Walz that this is a priority for their administration.

It’s important that Walz visits indigenous communities, Title said, because it shows that “we are a priority.”

“It’s super important because our votes matter,” she said. “Indigenous people are the first peoples of this land. As indigenous people, we really need to be prioritized.”