DENVER — The Denver Indian Center, Inc. is normally closed on Sundays, but the center opened its doors this Sunday for a special and important reason.
"It’s the countdown to election, Nov. 5, and we’re trying to encourage our community to get involved in the electoral process," said Rick Waters, executive director for the Denver Indian Center.
The center provided a space for voters to come and ask questions from election experts so they feel informed when they cast their ballots.
"We’re just trying to make sure everyone has an understanding," Waters said. "If they have questions about the process [such as,] 'Can I mail it in? Do I have to go to the poll?'"
Johanna Holy-Elk-Face attended the event so she could update her voter registration with her new address.
"I needed help [and] assistance with it," Holy-Elk-Face said. "I’m old so I don’t like the silly electronic stuff unless I'm with my 12-year-old grandson. He usually does everything on my phone for me. It’s too complicated for us old people."
Holy-Elk-Face got the help she needed and feels ready to vote for the first time in over a decade. She said President Joe Biden's formal apology to Native American communities on behalf of the U.S. policy that forced children into boarding schools changed her thoughts on democracy.
"I don’t know why we never seem to get credit so I think that’s why a lot of us don’t care to vote," Holy-Elk-Face said.
She said the acknowledgment of her people makes her want to be a part of electing future leaders who make her feel seen and heard.
"I feel that we should be recognized," Holy-Elk-Face said. "That’s not fair to recognize everyone else."
Waters said voting can be seen as a Native process.
"Many tribes, they had councils and they listened to the input of everybody," Waters said. "Ultimately, decisions were made on the input of the community so that’s what we’re trying to do. Your vote is your voice, expressing your opinion."
He said he hopes people know their votes are powerful and can make significant change.
"We encourage all of our community members to vote their conscience," Waters said. "Democrat, Republican, look at the issues that are going to impact your family, your tribe not only now, but in the future."