The Right to Be Seen, Heard, and Represented
November 3, 2026
Dear Everyone,
Today is Election Day. It also marks the beginning of a month dedicated to recognizing the histories, cultures and contributions of Native Americans.
At first glance, these may seem like two separate occasions. But they share an important connection: the right to be seen, heard and represented.
There is a profound irony in the fact that the original inhabitants of this land had to be granted citizenship in a nation established on their ancestral lands.
In 1924, the Indian Citizenship Act granted U.S. citizenship to Native Americans born in the United States. Yet even then, citizenship did not guarantee access to the ballot box.
For decades afterward, many Native Americans continued to face discriminatory laws and practices that prevented them from exercising their right to vote.
More than 100 years later, that history offers an important reminder. The promise of democracy depends not only on the rights we establish, but on our commitment to ensuring those rights can be exercised.
Native American Heritage Month also invites us to recognize the extraordinary diversity of Native communities. With 574 federally recognized tribes in the United States, each with its own history, traditions and identity, there is no single Native American experience.
And while honoring history is important, so is recognizing the present. Native Americans are shaping our country today as leaders, entrepreneurs, artists, innovators and advocates, while continuing to fight for meaningful representation and opportunity.
For those of us in business, there is a lesson here as well. Representation matters because whose voices are heard influences whose needs are understood, whose experiences are valued and whose futures are considered.
As Americans head to the polls today, I hope we remember that democracy is both a right and a responsibility. And as we recognize Native American Heritage Month, I hope we recommit to building a society where everyone has the opportunity to participate fully.
Because inclusion and democracy share a fundamental principle: everyone deserves a voice.
More to come,
SD
founder & CEO
BRIDGE