My 2024 Predictions in the Election Year

From politics to the entertainment industry, 2023 was a major year for Native issues. In 2024, we must reflect on lessons learned and think critically about how to best support Tribal communities. Weighing how to positively impact the Native Americans living on underserved reservations is especially crucial during an election year. With so much going on in the world, here are a few 2024 predictions tied to ongoing inequities that affect Native lives.

The Election Year Effect (Native vote, candidate-issues, charitable giving)

2024 will be an election year for 40 countries around the world, leaving an open opportunity for major disruption. I predict

• There will be a big push to get Tribal citizens registered in March and out to vote.
• 2024 will be the highest Native American voter turnout ever.
• Native voters may influence election results, especially in down-ballot races (choices further down on the actual ballot).
• A large portion of charitable giving from candidates will not support Native causes, largely due to overseas conflicts. This will pose challenges to other nonprofits that campaign and fundraise heavily during elections. To support PWNA, please donate here.
• The 2024 election will have a distinct impact on the ongoing investigations around ‘Indian’ boarding schools.

Native American Food & Health

• Tribes are investing and gaining momentum in ancestral food reclamation, so we expect to see funders align with this movement.
• The journey to Indigenous food sovereignty will be amplified in 2024.

Native Representation in Entertainment

• 2023 brought some great traction with Native representation in entertainment, thanks to Killers of the Flower Moon, Reservation Dogs and 1923 (Yellowstone spin-off). I predict the desire for accuracy in telling Native stories will continue to grow, even though getting there may be a slow road.

2024 will be an interesting year and you can count on all of us at PWNA to keep you in the loop. Stay NativeAware® by reading our bi-monthly blogs and following us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.