Gov. Tim Walz made remarks at a “Harris-Walz Native Americans” early voting rally in Window Rock, Arizona, Saturday afternoon, a remote location on the Navajo Nation.
Walz’s visit is the first time a presidential candidate has visited the Navajo Nation, according to the campaign.
“We’re here because we don’t consider it a vote, and we’re here to show respect to the Navajo Nation and earn your vote. I’ll tell you now that we’re playing it like it’s all on the line, because … it’s all on the line,” he said.
Walz said that given the closeness of this election, especially in the battleground state of Arizona, local votes could tip the balance for the Democratic ticket.
“I think we’re probably going to win the whole damn thing because of the work we’ve done here, the work we’ve done with the nation, and we’ve put Kamala Harris in the White House,” Walz said.
Walz said Donald Trump failed to support Native Americans in office and blasted Trump in particular for meeting with families of Navajo war veterans at the White House in 2017.
The incident occurred in front of a picture of Andrew Jackson, the president who signed the legislation that eventually led to the “Trail of Tears.”
“I don’t know if he knows his history well enough to know what he was doing, but I’m sure the people around him knew what an insult they were doing to Indian country by putting those heroes in front of that portrait,” Walz said.
Walz highlighted how his and Harris’ economic policies would boost tribal entrepreneurs and businesses and improve their healthcare opportunities.
“I want to be clear and make sure you listen and the country listens. Kamala Harris and I recognize the promises this country has made to indigenous peoples. We will protect and strengthen the bonds between our nations and maintain our trust and confidence in our treaty obligations,” he said. .
-ABC News’ Isabella Murray
