Indianz.Com > News > Native America Calling: Confusion reigns with American Samoa citizenship status
native america calling
Native America Calling
Listen to Native America Calling every weekday at 1pm Eastern.
Alternate Links: Native Voice One | NAC
Native America Calling: Confusion reigns with American Samoa citizenship status
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
nativeamericacalling.com   nativeamericacalling   nativeamericacalling

Confusion reigns with American Samoa citizenship status
An illegal voting case in Alaska highlights lingering confusion over the rights extended to the citizens of American Samoa, a territory of the United States.

Eleven Samoans are charged with felonies for alleged voter fraud by participating in their local election in Whittier. All have U.S. passports, were born on U.S. soil, and can even participate in the presidential primary process.

The territory of American Samoa has been under heavy colonial pressure for centuries and has been under U.S. oversight for more than 125 years. But Congress never granted its citizens the right to vote in national elections.

In another case, tribes in North Dakota were dealt a serious blow in their ongoing fight against redistricting that reduces their collective power in state elections.

Tutuila
A view of Tutuila, the largest and most populous island of American Samoa. Photo: Rene

Guests on Native America Calling
Charles Ala’ilima (Samoan), attorney and board member for Right to Democracy

Tafilisaunoa Toleafoa (Samoan), executive director of the Pacific Community of Alaska

Nicole Donaghy (Hunkpapa Lakota), executive director of North Dakota Native Vote

Neil Weare, co-director of Right to Democracy

All Episodes on Spotify | More Options
Search
Filed Under
Tags
More Headlines
Native America Calling: Tribes forced to find new clean energy paths
Cronkite News: Republicans push ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ through Congress
Native America Calling: Residents brace for Medicaid and food assistance cuts
NAFOA: 5 Things You Need to Know this Week (July 7, 2025)
Native America Calling: A kids-eye view of the importance of relatives
Native America Calling: Confusion reigns with American Samoa citizenship status
Native America Calling: A personal portrait and a summer blockbuster
Source New Mexico: Tribes demand protections for sacred lands
Arizona Mirror: Fire prompts evacuations on Navajo Nation
Cronkite News: Congress poised to reauthorize radiation compensation program
Native America Calling: The new limits on challenging federal actions
VIDEO: ‘We have a lot of support throughout Indian Country’
Native America Calling: The necessary, but imperfect reality of the Indian Health Service
Cronkite News: President Trump claims victory in birthright citizenship case
Tom Cole: The cost of American independence
More Headlines