The Power Shift in US Politics: Insights from Anathea Chino

Indigenous voices are reshaping the landscape of American politics. Leadership that honors heritage and diversity is more vital than ever.

The Journey of Anathea Chino

Anathea Chino’s path to becoming a leading voice in Indigenous politics begins in Akoma Pueblo, New Mexico—one of the oldest continuously inhabited communities in the United States. Growing up there and partly in College Station, Texas, she recalls lying in the back of her yellow Toyota Tercel hatchback named Banana, marveling at the endless sky. From an early age, Chino felt her tribal identity was “an act of resistance,” a steadfast reminder that “we are not a nation of immigrants,” but caretakers of lands where Indigenous cultures have thrived for over 2,000 years [verify].

“Our educational systems treat us as artifacts of the past,” she explains, highlighting the critical gaps in how schools teach Indigenous histories.

Her engagement in politics began during the 2004 presidential campaign, where she noticed a critical gap: despite Southern Pueblos comprising more than 10 percent of New Mexico’s population, there was no infrastructure to ensure their voices were heard. Chino mobilized leaders across all ten Southern Pueblos, forging a blueprint for grassroots organization. She then entered the world of high-stakes finance, serving as an investment advisor overseeing a $14 million portfolio for major political donors. Yet, in 2013, driven by a desire to democratize political aesthetics and accessibility, she left to attend beauty school and founded a political design firm focused on helping women of color run for office. This unique combination of cultural roots, financial acumen, and creative strategy would shape her future work in Indigenous leadership.

The Importance of Indigenous Representation in Politics

Today, Indigenous peoples make up roughly three percent of the U.S. population, a figure that belies their significant influence in states like Arizona, Montana, and especially New Mexico, where they represent over 10 percent of residents. Representation matters not only for symbolic inclusion but for tangible policy outcomes—from healthcare access on remote reservations to legal protection of sacred lands. When Indigenous leaders hold elected office, they can champion issues such as tribal sovereignty, environmental stewardship, and cultural preservation, ensuring these priorities are integrated into legislative agendas. Chino stresses that without adequate representation, critical perspectives remain absent from governance, leading to decisions that overlook or harm tribal communities. By establishing pathways for Indigenous candidates, democracy becomes more reflective of America’s full demographic reality and better equipped to address complex challenges.

Building Bridges: Alliances Across Communities

Chino consistently highlights that Indigenous leadership is not a zero-sum game; it benefits the entire nation. In her view, forming alliances with non-Indigenous allies—particularly white Americans interested in a more representative democracy—amplifies collective power. “Understanding different perspectives enhances political discourse and leads to more balanced governance,” she notes, pointing to research indicating that diverse legislative bodies produce more innovative policies and lower levels of partisanship. Through workshops, community roundtables, and collaborative campaigns, Indigenous, Black, Latinx, and multiracial leaders come together to support voting rights, fight voter suppression, and promote social equity. These cross-cultural partnerships model a united front, demonstrating that progress in representation and diversity can dismantle entrenched power structures for the benefit of all.

Empowering Marginalized Communities

While Indigenous representation remains at the core of Chino’s mission, her organization adopts an intersectional approach, championing causes for women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and other marginalized groups. “I proudly identify as queer, and I fight for joy and the ability to dream,” she affirms, underscoring the importance of inclusive leadership in politics. Her training programs combine personal mentorship, public speaking clinics, and strategic communications workshops designed to nurture leaders from various backgrounds. Participants often begin with doubts about their readiness for public life but graduate with renewed confidence and clear action plans. One trainee from an isolated reservation district went on to launch a successful county council campaign, while another announced her ambition with conviction: “I’ll be the next governor of my state.” These stories illustrate how targeted support and community investment can transform reluctance into political ambition.

The Changing Political Landscape

In less than a decade, the political environment has shifted dramatically. Indigenous women now hold mayoral seats, state legislative positions, and leadership roles on prominent committees, their cultural identities visible as ever. Chino observes that this visibility not only strengthens community pride but also educates the broader public about Indigenous issues and heritage. Traditional regalia and tribal insignia have appeared in congressional halls, signaling a collective reclaiming of identity within formal institutions. Nonetheless, systemic barriers such as gerrymandering of reservation lands and limited campaign funding persist. Chino and her partners work to address these obstacles through legal advocacy and targeted fundraising efforts, aiming to ensure that gains in representation yield lasting policy wins in areas like education reform, healthcare parity, and environmental protection.

Spotlight: Leadership in Action

One participant of Chino’s program, a 24-year-old Diné college student from Navajo Nation, had never considered public office until she attended a virtual workshop. Guided by mentorship in ballot strategy and grassroots organizing, she ran a school board campaign centered on bilingual education and won by just 65 votes. In New Mexico’s Laguna Pueblo, another graduate leveraged coalition-building skills to secure an appointment on the state’s environmental commission, where she now advocates for water rights and sustainable development. These stories underscore how targeted leadership training can convert local ambition into effective governance. By showcasing real-world successes, Chino’s organization demonstrates that representation is not merely theoretical but produces measurable community impact, from policy changes to increased cultural visibility in government spaces.

Practical Steps to Support Indigenous Leadership

To actively contribute to this emerging movement, Chino outlines several key actions:

• Educate Yourself: Integrate contemporary Indigenous histories and issues into local school curricula, moving beyond outdated stereotypes.
• Engage Locally: Attend tribal council meetings, candidate forums, and public events where Indigenous leaders speak.
• Volunteer and Donate: Support Indigenous-led organizations with financial contributions or professional expertise in communications, legal services, and campaign management.
• Hold Elected Officials Accountable: Ask how policies affect tribal sovereignty, land rights, and resource allocation, and urge transparency in government relations with tribal nations.

By adopting these practices, individuals and communities can strengthen the diversity of the democratic process and help embed Indigenous leadership in the political mainstream.

Conclusion: A Call to Action

Anathea Chino’s story highlights how heritage and ambition can intersect to transform American politics into a more inclusive arena for all voices.

• Take a concrete step today: identify and support an Indigenous-led political initiative through volunteer work, donations, or community advocacy to foster deeper representation and lasting change.

How will you leverage your skills and networks to advance Indigenous leadership, representation, and diversity in your community? The future of inclusive democracy depends on our collective action.