Robert Satiacum Jr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert Satiacum Jr.
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Satiacum in 2016
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| Born | 1959 or 1960 (age 64–65) |
| Nationality | American Puyallup tribe |
| Occupation | Political and environmental activist, radio host for KLAY |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Elizabeth Satiacum |
| Children | 4 |
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Robert Satiacum Jr. (born February 5, 1960) is an important leader and activist. He is a member of the Puyallup tribe in Washington. Robert Satiacum Jr. works hard to protect the environment. He also fights for the rights of Native American people. In 2016, he was chosen to be a special voter in the Electoral College for the presidential election.
About Robert Satiacum Jr.
Robert Satiacum Jr. is the son of Robert Satiacum Sr.. His father was famous for defending Native American fishing rights. A big court case about these rights, called the Boldt Decision, happened because of his father's arrest.
Robert's wife, Elizabeth, also served as an elector. She voted for Barack Obama in the 2008 election. In 2010, Robert worked as an officer for the Democratic Party in Pierce County.
For the 2016 Democratic National Convention, Robert Satiacum Jr. supported Bernie Sanders. He was chosen to be an elector by Patsy Whitefoot. Before the 2016 election, he said he might not vote for Hillary Clinton. He felt her plans for the environment were too similar to Donald Trump's.
The Electoral College Vote
The Electoral College is a group of people who officially elect the President and Vice President of the United States. When they voted on December 19, 2016, Robert Satiacum Jr. made a unique choice. He voted for Faith Spotted Eagle for president. She is a Native American activist from South Dakota. For vice president, he voted for Winona LaDuke. She is an environmentalist and a Native American woman from Minnesota.
Faith Spotted Eagle became the first Native American to receive an electoral vote for president. Winona LaDuke was the first Native American woman to get an electoral vote for vice president. After the vote, Satiacum explained his decision. He had planned to vote for Bernie Sanders. But at the last moment, he was inspired by another Native American elector. This elector, Dan Carpita, began playing a ceremonial song on his flute. This made Satiacum decide to vote for Faith Spotted Eagle.
Robert Satiacum Jr. was one of four electors in Washington who did not vote as they had promised. These are called faithless electors. There were seven such electors in total across the country in 2016. After the election, he was fined $1,000 for his vote.
His Life and Other Work
Robert and Elizabeth Satiacum have six children and ten grandchildren. Robert hosts a radio show called Tribal Talk. It is broadcast on KLAY in the Tacoma, Washington area. He also started a group called Full Circle. This group works to promote Native American culture.
In 2007, he acted in a movie called Rain in the Mountains. He played a tribal police officer. Since 2010, he has been leading an effort to change the official name of Mount Rainier. He wants it to be called Ti’Swaq. This is the name of a group of Native American people who used to live high on the mountain.
Robert Satiacum Jr. also teaches others about Native American traditions. He supports the sweat lodge ritual. He mentors people on "the red road". This is a way of life based on traditional Native American values and morals.
He has also worked with other Native American activists. They held "fish-ins" on the Puyallup River. These events helped to protect tribal fishing rights.
