“When I’m talking to folks, I recognize that somebody else’s experience is just as real and valid as mine.” Those are the words of Rep. Sharice Davids (she / her), representative for the third district in Kansas and the first LGBTQ+ Native American in Congress. As a Ho-Chunk citizen, she uses her position to address important Indigenous issues like voting rights, land sovereignty, foster care, and more.

Here, the 41-year-old shares the moment that inspired her to take a stand, what changes she’s made during her time at the White House, and how she’s fighting to give a voice to underrepresented communities.

How did you get into politics?
In my early 20s, I lived in the Missouri side of Kansas City, and the state had a constitutional amendment on the ballot to define marriage [as being] between a man and a woman. I wasn’t engaged in the political scene, so I remember being heartbroken and upset when the news came in. So I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree, went to law school, and worked as an attorney doing community and economic development work with tribes. Then I ended up in Washington D.C. as a White House fellow, and learned a lot about who’s making decisions and how the federal government operates. When I finished the fellowship and went back home, I found myself thinking my representative was not representing our district very well. I realized there were no women in the race, and ended up running.

How has your presence as the first LGBTQ+ Native American in Congress benefited underrepresented communities?
Having Deb Haaland and I present helps address the invisibility that exists around Native American issues. We’ve helped inform and improve policy language, and we introduced bills—like the Native American Voting Rights Act—that address issues surrounding education, transportation, infrastructure, the foster system, and appropriation of the Indian Health Service. Having us on different committees and in Congress meetings was a big reminder that, as the federal government, we have to be thinking about tribal communities. And since so many of us have experienced being the only person like ourselves in the room, it’s become easier to ensure other people who haven’t been at the table are invited as well.

Tell us about the H.R. 4352 bill.
We call it the Carcieri Fix, okay? [Laughing.] Because the way the federal government interacts with tribal governments has shifted so much over the years, sometimes laws get passed that make things difficult for tribes to fully exercise self-determination. The Supreme Court found that tribes couldn’t take land into trust depending on the date they were recognized by the federal government, and for a long time after that ruling, Congress had been working on a way to address that issue. The Carcieri Fix did that. It’s Congress acknowledging that tribes are sovereign and have an inherent self-determination for purposes of land.

We hear you’re also interested in martial arts! How did that come about?
I grew up obsessed with Bruce Lee and martial arts movies and video games, but my mom couldn’t afford to put me and my 2 brothers in classes. I started doing martial arts when I was 19 and could pay for it. It’s just a really big part of my life. It’s helped me grow, learn how to learn, and actually informs a lot of the way I approach things.

What are your thoughts on the current state of our government?
We’re in a time in history where we’re trying to make sure our government and decision-making process is more aligned with where our country is really at. Seeing Deb Haaland be confirmed to run the Department of Interior—or that we’re talking about issues like missing Indigenous people, broad access to healthcare, and inclusion of tribal communities—helps folks realize the country is moving forward and that we’re trying to listen to as many voices as possible. That’s one of the things that makes me feel optimistic and hopeful for the future.