This week, tribal communities across the country are taking part in a coordinated effort to get out the vote in Indian Country. Many of those efforts are taking place here in the Pacific Northwest.
Several "get out the vote" events will take place in Pendleton this week. That's where the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla will be hosting the annual convention for the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians.
In Central Oregon, the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs hosted their own voter registration event.
Courtney Fast Horse heard about it on Facebook. The 19-year-old said this will be the first time she's been able to vote.
"I'm excited to vote, actually, like really excited. Because, I've seen people do it before, and I wanted to do it so now I can and I'm old enough," Fast Horse said. "It's the one adult thing I can do."
The campaign is organized the National Congress of American Indians. According to that group, two out of five eligible Native Americans aren't registered to vote. The group hopes this week's effort will help bridge that gap.
