Native Bidaské with Oklahoma Governor’s Primary Candidate Connie Johnson
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By Native News Online Staff
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In Native Bidaské on Friday, Valerie Vande Panne, editor-in-chief of Native News Online, welcomed the Democratic candidate for governor of Oklahoma1, Connie Johnson.
Johnson is a lifelong Democrat born and raised in Oklahoma and, if elected, would be the first black Native female governor in the United States. She previously served as a state senator where in 2012 she added an amendment to a “life begins at conception. bill” that would have prohibited the deposit of semen anywhere except in a woman’s vagina. The bill was not passed.
Connie now wants to apply her more than 40 years of public and community service and legislative experience to benefit the ordinary people of Oklahoma. She will fight to provide Tier 1 jobs in rebuilding our infrastructure, strengthen Oklahoma’s medical marijuana and industrial hemp industries, secure public education, and ensure health care as a basic human right. for every Oklahoman, especially mental health services.
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She joined Native News Online to publicize her campaign values and promises.
Amid the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, ultimately overturning the legality of safe and accessible abortions, Johnson promises to protect women’s rights to have autonomy over their own bodies.
“As governor, I will continue to be the voice and present policies that respect women, that celebrate women, through their respect for reproductive autonomy, for easy access to contraception, for innovative ideas like free sanitary supplies,” she told Vande Panne. “Women are the basis of the foundation of human life itself. We owe women respect and appreciation. And as governor, I will celebrate women and ensure that policies, proposals that come out, receive informed information.
In the Democratic gubernatorial primary, Johnson is running against newly declared Democrat Joy Hofmeister, who was a Republican until late last year.
Watch the interview below to learn more about Johnson, what happened with Oklahoma’s super delegates at the Democratic National Convention when Bernie won the state, and what she’s planning. for Indian Country. During the discussion, Johnson also explained why she was the best Democrat to take on incumbent Republican Gov. Stitt.
We’ve also included Joy Hoffmesiter’s statement below. Hoffmeister said she was too busy to be interviewed by Native News Online. She is superintendent of public instruction in Oklahoma and was a lifelong Republican until last fall.
Joy Hofmeister: Statement on Supporting the Sovereignty of Tribal Nations
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to share some of my experience with Native Americans across the country.
I recognize and support the sovereignty of tribal nations in Oklahoma and respect the important contributions that tribal members make to our communities through education, health care, law enforcement, charitable contributions and economic impact.
As State Superintendent, I am committed to helping the 81,000 tribal students reach their full potential – they are a vital part of our student body in Oklahoma. All Oklahoma students should know and value the tribal history and culture that shape our state. That’s why we’ve strengthened our academic standards to ensure that tribal sovereignty is taught in our schools.
I specifically hired experienced staff at the Oklahoma State Department of Education to work with and for Native American students. I have empowered these employees to meet with tribal leaders and schools in face-to-face meetings to discuss the needs of indigenous youth and build a collaborative relationship. We created a Tribal Consultation Framework – connecting the school and tribal leaders in a conversation to prioritize supports for Native American students – that has been recognized as a model nationally.
Additionally, we were sensitive to cultural traditions that impact students’ school experience. Each year, we have reminded districts of their obligation to allow Native American students to wear Native badges at graduation ceremonies to honor the rich traditions of their heritage.
I object to Governor Stitt’s disregard for tribal sovereignty and believe that many of Oklahoma’s jurisdictional issues could be resolved through cooperation and mutual respect. I am proud of the campaign support I have won from many tribal nations and I will not betray that trust.
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