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| caption =
| caption =
| order =
| order =
| office = Ward 6 City Councilor of Ashland, WI
| office = City Councilor of Ashland, WI
| status = <!--If this is specified, overrides Incumbent.-->
| status = <!--If this is specified, overrides Incumbent.-->
| term_start = April 17, 2019
| term_start = April 17, 2019
| term_end = April 17, 2021
| term_end = <!-- Add data only when the actual term has ended, not for terms which will end in the future. (Per usage guideline.) -->
| co-leader =
| co-leader =
| constituency = [[Ashland, Wisconsin|Ashland]], [[Wisconsin]] Ward 6
| constituency = District 6
| majority =
| majority =
| predecessor = David J. Mettille
| predecessor = David J. Mettille
| successor =
| successor = Charles Ortman
| prior_term =
| prior_term =
| pronunciation =
| pronunciation =
| birth_date = {{Birth year and age|1992}}{{cn}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1992|02|01|}}
| birth_place =
| birth_place = Hayward, Wisconsin, U.S.
| death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
| death_place =
| death_place =
| death_cause =
| death_cause =
| resting_place =
| resting_place =
| nationality = [[United States]]
| nationality = American<br/>Chippewa
| party = [[Communist Party of the United States]]
| party = [[Communist Party of the United States|Communist]]
| spouse =
| spouse =
| partner = <!--For those with a domestic partner and not married-->
| partner = <!--For those with a domestic partner and not married-->
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}}
}}


'''Wahsayah Whitebird''' (born 1992) is a member of the [[Communist Party of the United States]] currently serving on the [[City Council]] of [[Ashland, Wisconsin|Ashland]], [[Wisconsin]], [[United States]]. Whitebird is a [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] from the [[Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians|Bad River Band]] of the [[Chippewa]] people and is the only Communist Party member serving as an elected official in the United States.
'''Wahsayah Whitebird''' (born 1992) is a member of the [[Communist Party of the United States]] who served from 2019 to 2021 on the [[City Council]] of [[Ashland, Wisconsin|Ashland]], [[Wisconsin]], [[United States]]. Whitebird is a [[Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians|Bad River Band]] [[Chippewa]] and while in office was one of only two Communist Party members [[List of Communist Party USA members who have held office in the United States|serving as an elected official in the United States]].


==Early life==
==Early life==
Whitebird is a member of the [[Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians]], a tribe whose reservation is located about 10 miles east of Ashland on the coast of [[Lake Superior]].<ref name="morningstar">{{cite web |last1=Norton |first1=Alexander |title=Wisconsin supports their local Communist |url=https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/f/wisconsin-supports-their-local-communist |website=Morning Star |access-date=January 26, 2021 |language=en |date=18 September 2019}}</ref> Whitebird worked at a [[Delicatessen|deli]] in Ashland prior to his election and was a member of the [[United Food and Commercial Workers]].<ref name="pwbio">{{cite web |last1=Johnson |first1=Earchiel |title=Native American communist topples incumbent council president in Wisconsin town |url=https://www.peoplesworld.org/article/native-american-communist-topples-incumbent-council-president-in-wisconsin-town/ |website=People's World |access-date=January 26, 2021 |date=7 May 2019}}</ref>
Whitebird is a member of the [[Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians]], a tribe whose reservation is located about 10 miles east of Ashland on the coast of [[Lake Superior]].<ref name="morningstar">{{cite web |last1=Norton |first1=Alexander |title=Wisconsin supports their local Communist |url=https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/f/wisconsin-supports-their-local-communist |website=Morning Star |access-date=January 26, 2021 |language=en |date=18 September 2019 |archive-date=31 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131072506/https://morningstaronline.co.uk/article/f/wisconsin-supports-their-local-communist |url-status=live }}</ref> Whitebird worked at a [[Delicatessen|deli]] in Ashland prior to his election and was a member of the [[United Food and Commercial Workers]].<ref name="pwbio">{{cite web |last1=Johnson |first1=Earchiel |title=Native American communist topples incumbent council president in Wisconsin town |url=https://www.peoplesworld.org/article/native-american-communist-topples-incumbent-council-president-in-wisconsin-town/ |website=People's World |access-date=January 26, 2021 |date=7 May 2019 |archive-date=13 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213195309/https://www.peoplesworld.org/article/native-american-communist-topples-incumbent-council-president-in-wisconsin-town/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


==Electoral history==
==Electoral history==
Whitebird won his first election on April 2, 2019, beating [[incumbent]] David J. Mettille 52-42.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Winger |first1=Richard |title=Communist Party Member Elected to City Council of Ashland, Wisconsin |url=https://ballot-access.org/2019/05/07/communist-party-member-elected-to-city-council-of-ashland-wisconsin/ |website=Ballot Access News |date=May 7, 2019|access-date=January 26, 2021}}</ref> His campaign platform was described as "radical" by the [[Ashland Daily Press]], running on issues like making housing more affordable, reducing [[drug abuse]], and building [[homeless shelters]].<ref name="ashlanddaily">{{cite web |last1=Olivio |first1=Rick |title=Whitebird defeats Mettille in Ashland District 6 |date=|url=https://www.apg-wi.com/ashland_daily_press/whitebird-defeats-mettille-in-ashland-district-6/article_bce4a146-55b8-11e9-a43f-c3abcad2fbc7.html |website=Ashland Daily Press |date=April 2, 2019|access-date=January 26, 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="washingtontimes"/> The election was [[nonpartisan]], and Whitebird's affiliation with the Communist Party was not publicly known until after he won. Whitebird has been a member of the Communist Party since 2011.<ref name="washingtontimes">{{cite web |last1=Varney |first1=James |title=Wisconsin Native American, a Communist Party member, elected to city council |url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/jun/22/wahsayah-whitebird-communist-party-member-elected-/ |website=The Washington Times |access-date=January 26, 2021}}</ref> His election made him the only known Communist Party member elected to public office in the United States.<ref name="morningstar"/>
Whitebird won his first election on April 2, 2019, beating [[incumbent]] David J. Mettille 52-42.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Winger |first1=Richard |title=Communist Party Member Elected to City Council of Ashland, Wisconsin |url=https://ballot-access.org/2019/05/07/communist-party-member-elected-to-city-council-of-ashland-wisconsin/ |website=Ballot Access News |date=May 7, 2019 |access-date=January 26, 2021 |archive-date=January 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131053042/https://ballot-access.org/2019/05/07/communist-party-member-elected-to-city-council-of-ashland-wisconsin/ |url-status=live }}</ref> His campaign platform was described as "radical" by the ''[[Ashland Daily Press]]'', running on issues like making housing more affordable, reducing [[drug abuse]], and building [[homeless shelters]].<ref name="ashlanddaily">{{cite web |last1=Olivio |first1=Rick |title=Whitebird defeats Mettille in Ashland District 6 |url=https://www.apg-wi.com/ashland_daily_press/whitebird-defeats-mettille-in-ashland-district-6/article_bce4a146-55b8-11e9-a43f-c3abcad2fbc7.html |website=Ashland Daily Press |date=April 2, 2019 |access-date=January 26, 2021 |language=en |archive-date=January 31, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240131161627/https://www.apg-wi.com/ashland_daily_press/whitebird-defeats-mettille-in-ashland-district-6/article_bce4a146-55b8-11e9-a43f-c3abcad2fbc7.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="washingtontimes"/> The election was [[Nonpartisanism|nonpartisan]], and Whitebird's affiliation with the Communist Party was not publicly known until after he won. Whitebird has been a member of the Communist Party since 2011.<ref name="washingtontimes">{{cite web |last1=Varney |first1=James |title=Wisconsin Native American, a Communist Party member, elected to city council |url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/jun/22/wahsayah-whitebird-communist-party-member-elected-/ |website=The Washington Times |access-date=January 26, 2021 |archive-date=January 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126011917/https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/jun/22/wahsayah-whitebird-communist-party-member-elected-/ |url-status=live }}</ref> His election made him the only known Communist Party member elected to public office in the United States at the time.<ref name="morningstar"/> He did not run for re-election in 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://co.ashland.wi.us/index.asp?SEC=C50411C9-BC9C-4DF8-B6CF-6B19950E58A6&Type=B_BASIC|title=April 6, 2021 Spring Election|access-date=May 30, 2021|archive-date=April 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210425213801/https://co.ashland.wi.us/index.asp?SEC=C50411C9-BC9C-4DF8-B6CF-6B19950E58A6&Type=B_BASIC|url-status=live}}</ref>


==Policy positions==
==Policy positions==
Whitebird's [[policy]] positions are generally aligned with those of [[democratic socialists]], though his overall political views and philosophy are more aligned with traditional [[Communism]].<ref name="morningstar"/> Since being elected, Whitebird has announced support for policies like raising the [[minimum wage]] and implementing a [[Green New Deal]].<ref name="washingtontimes"/> Whitebird expressed disdain toward [[school resource officer]]s in September 2020, saying that removing them from schools was a step towards ending the "[[school to prison pipeline]]."<ref name="pwsro">{{cite web |last1=Kehle |first1=Elise |title=Ashland, Wisconsin rallies for student safety, demands end to SRO program |url=https://www.peoplesworld.org/article/ashland-wisc-rallies-for-student-safety-demands-end-to-sro-program/ |website=People's World |access-date=January 26, 2021 |date=15 September 2020}}</ref>
Whitebird's [[policy]] positions are generally aligned with those of [[democratic socialists]], though his overall political views and philosophy are more aligned with traditional [[Communism]].<ref name="morningstar"/> Since being elected, Whitebird has announced support for policies like raising the [[minimum wage]] and implementing a [[Green New Deal]].<ref name="washingtontimes"/> Whitebird expressed disdain toward [[school resource officer]]s in September 2020, saying that removing them from schools was a step towards ending the "[[school to prison pipeline]]."<ref name="pwsro">{{cite web |last1=Kehle |first1=Elise |title=Ashland, Wisconsin rallies for student safety, demands end to SRO program |url=https://www.peoplesworld.org/article/ashland-wisc-rallies-for-student-safety-demands-end-to-sro-program/ |website=People's World |access-date=January 26, 2021 |date=15 September 2020 |archive-date=31 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131100649/https://www.peoplesworld.org/article/ashland-wisc-rallies-for-student-safety-demands-end-to-sro-program/ |url-status=live }}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
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==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Whitebird, Wahsayah}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Whitebird, Wahsayah}}
⚫
[[Category:Bad River Band people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Ashland, Wisconsin]]
[[Category:People from Ashland, Wisconsin]]
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[[Category:Ojibwe people]]
[[Category:Communist Party USA politicians]]
[[Category:Communist Party USA politicians]]
[[Category:Wisconsin city council members]]
[[Category:Wisconsin city council members]]
[[Category:United Food and Commercial Workers]]
[[Category:Wisconsin communists]]
[[Category:Wisconsin socialists]]
[[Category:1992 births]]

Latest revision as of 04:42, 5 February 2024

Wahsayah Whitebird
City Councilor of Ashland, WI
In office
April 17, 2019 – April 17, 2021
Preceded byDavid J. Mettille
Succeeded byCharles Ortman
ConstituencyDistrict 6
Personal details
Born (1992-02-01) February 1, 1992 (age 32)
Hayward, Wisconsin, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
Chippewa
Political partyCommunist

Wahsayah Whitebird (born 1992) is a member of the Communist Party of the United States who served from 2019 to 2021 on the City Council of Ashland, Wisconsin, United States. Whitebird is a Bad River Band Chippewa and while in office was one of only two Communist Party members serving as an elected official in the United States.

Early life

[edit]

Whitebird is a member of the Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians, a tribe whose reservation is located about 10 miles east of Ashland on the coast of Lake Superior.[1] Whitebird worked at a deli in Ashland prior to his election and was a member of the United Food and Commercial Workers.[2]

Electoral history

[edit]

Whitebird won his first election on April 2, 2019, beating incumbent David J. Mettille 52-42.[3] His campaign platform was described as "radical" by the Ashland Daily Press, running on issues like making housing more affordable, reducing drug abuse, and building homeless shelters.[4][5] The election was nonpartisan, and Whitebird's affiliation with the Communist Party was not publicly known until after he won. Whitebird has been a member of the Communist Party since 2011.[5] His election made him the only known Communist Party member elected to public office in the United States at the time.[1] He did not run for re-election in 2021.[6]

Policy positions

[edit]

Whitebird's policy positions are generally aligned with those of democratic socialists, though his overall political views and philosophy are more aligned with traditional Communism.[1] Since being elected, Whitebird has announced support for policies like raising the minimum wage and implementing a Green New Deal.[5] Whitebird expressed disdain toward school resource officers in September 2020, saying that removing them from schools was a step towards ending the "school to prison pipeline."[7]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Norton, Alexander (18 September 2019). "Wisconsin supports their local Communist". Morning Star. Archived from the original on 31 January 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
  2. ^ Johnson, Earchiel (7 May 2019). "Native American communist topples incumbent council president in Wisconsin town". People's World. Archived from the original on 13 December 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
  3. ^ Winger, Richard (May 7, 2019). "Communist Party Member Elected to City Council of Ashland, Wisconsin". Ballot Access News. Archived from the original on January 31, 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
  4. ^ Olivio, Rick (April 2, 2019). "Whitebird defeats Mettille in Ashland District 6". Ashland Daily Press. Archived from the original on January 31, 2024. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
  5. ^ a b c Varney, James. "Wisconsin Native American, a Communist Party member, elected to city council". The Washington Times. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
  6. ^ "April 6, 2021 Spring Election". Archived from the original on April 25, 2021. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  7. ^ Kehle, Elise (15 September 2020). "Ashland, Wisconsin rallies for student safety, demands end to SRO program". People's World. Archived from the original on 31 January 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
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