VIDEO: Kamala Harris discusses voting and leadership with Native youth

Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris released a video featuring Native youth, encouraging them to exercise their right to vote.

"Your voice is your vote and your vote is your power and never let anybody take your power from you," Harris told Native youth in the 46-second video, which was released on Indigenous Peoples Day on October 14, 2024. [Facebook | YouTube | Instagram | X]

The video itself was filmed on October 10, 2024, when Harris hosted a rally on the Gila River Indian Community in Arizona. According to her campaign, she met with Native youth prior to her remarks at the Rawhide Event Center, a facility in Chandler that's owned by the tribe.

In the social media posts accompanying the video, the Harris campaign did not identify any of the youth who participated in the meeting, although at least two of them are wearing Gila River Royalty sashes. The youth can be seen conversing with the presidential candidate.

"I think we're realizing our power and understanding how important our participation is and how, especially in states like Arizona where there's 22 tribal nations and it makes a difference," one youth tells Harris. "Our vote makes a difference. Our presence makes a difference."

"My work in climate change is informing people about the issues that are currently going on in this world and how we as Native people, or people in general, can ensure that we are doing our part," states Susanna Osife, who is wearing her Miss Gila River sash.

The video wraps up with remarks from Harris. "I'm counting on your leadership and I'm looking forward to our partnership in the context of your leadership," she tells the youth.

"What you all are doing, and your generation are so powerful, and you have everything at stake," Harris concludes.

"This Indigenous Peoples’ Day, I am thinking about the young Indigenous leaders I met in Arizona last week," Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris wrote on her campaign's social media channels on October 14, 2024. [Facebook | YouTube | Instagram | X]