Make Voting A Tradition
About MVAT
Make Voting A Tradition (MVAT) is a culturally specific, year-round, multi-generational approach to increase voter turnout and civic engagement now in its ninth year of operation. The fundamental principle of MVAT is that Native Americans are more likely to become more politically active when engaged by peers. Strengthening democratic participation demands community engagement and trust. MVAT in particular draws people into the process of defining the future of their community and builds ownership of the solutions required to reach that future. NACDI/MVAT has been able to increase civic participation in the American Indian Cultural Corridor and now throughout the state. Through our non-partisan, peer-to-peer, multigenerational approach, we support and educate residents as they contribute to the public policy shaping process.
Why We Vote
Voting is the tool that we use to ensure our voices are heard and needs are met by our elected officials. People who vote find their needs best met by our local, state, federal, tribal, and nation governments.
How to Vote on Election Day
2026 Election Resources
Make Voting a Tradition Events
Sep 24, 2026 | 11:00 AM–3:00 PM5th Annual Pickle-Off – It’s time to save the date and preserve your pickles! The annual Pickle-Off will take place Thursday, September 24th from 12-2pm. Categories this year are dill, spicy, and other (can include non-cucumber pickles). All submissions must be delivered to the NACDI offices (1414 Franklin Ave NE, Minneapolis) by September 23rd at 3pm. Sign up to […] Learn More
Oct 26, 2026 | 5:00 PM–7:00 PMThe Art of Saving Democracy at the Minneapolis American Indian Center – A community-wide early voting event will be held at Little Earth on Tuesday, October 27th. In preparation, we will be hosting an event entitled “The Art of Saving Democracy” on Monday, October 26th at the American Indian Center from 5-7pm. This event will feature three short animated films that are centered on Native Rights and […] Learn More
Oct 27, 2026 | 11:00 AM–6:00 PMEarly Voting at Little Earth – Vote early in the 2026 Election at the Little Earth Gym (2501 Cedar Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55404) on October 27th from 11am – 6 pm. All Minneapolis residents can vote at this pop up. Vote early so that you can protect and support your community on election day! Learn More
Pledge to Vote
Take the pledge today to vote and make sure your voice is heard.
2024 Artist Commissions
For this project, NACDI’s two programs, Make Voting a Tradition (MVAT) and All My Relations Arts (AMRA) collaborated on artist commissioned designs created to increase voter turnout, raise voter awareness and engage Native American voters. The invited artists were asked to focus their visual imagery on key issues affecting Indian Country today, including themes of:
- Climate Issues/Environmental justice and its impacts on urban and rural communities, and the impact on future generations
- Native Voting: The importance of Natives voting and the impact it has on election outcomes
- Women Voting: Our research shows that Native women encourage others in their communities to vote
- Cultural Responsibilities/All Nations: caring for our relatives, our traditions, and our culture and how voting is important for sovereignty
These designs are used as stickers, posters and billboards to promote upcoming events related to voting engagement in the 2024 elections.
Featured artists:
Bree Waabinesiik Green (Red Lake Nation Ojibwe)
Jayce Two Stars (Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate/Little River Band of Ottawa Indians)
Afton Delgado (Oglala Lakota of Pine Ridge/Dakota),
Frank Buffalo Hyde (Onondaga/Niimíipuu ((Nez Perce))
Jearica Fountain (Karuk, Pit River, Nisenan, and Miwok)
Jonathan Thunder (Red Lake Ojibwe).
Special thanks and acknowledgment to Illuminative, Amplifier, and Tunheim for their support help in messaging and marketing support.
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