RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Representative Voices: Native American Representation, Political Power, and COVID-19 in U.S. States
JF RSF: The Russell Sage Foundation Journal of the Social Sciences
FD Russell Sage Foundation
SP 135
OP 152
DO 10.7758/RSF.2022.8.8.07
VO 8
IS 8
A1 Evans, Laura E.
A1 Foxworth, Raymond
A1 Sanchez, Gabriel R.
A1 Ellenwood, Cheryl
A1 Roybal, Carmela M.
YR 2022
UL http://www.rsfjournal.org/content/8/8/135.abstract
AB We examine predictors of COVID-19 cases in Native nations during the early months of the pandemic. We find that where Native American representation and Native American political power in state politics were greater, COVID-19 cases on tribal lands were fewer. We expand the literatures on descriptive representation and on tribal-state relations by demonstrating consequences of powerful Native American voices in the statehouse. We find that Native American voices on tribal lands are also vital. Tribal lands that had extensive networks of community-based health facilities and tribally controlled health facilities recorded fewer COVID-19 cases. The broader lesson here is that if Native nations are to protect their citizens, they need outside governments that support, not thwart. Our findings draw on unique, original quantitative analysis.