Arvina Martin

Arvina Martin is the first Native person ever elected to Madison Wisconsin’s Common Council and was elected Vice President in 2020 by her peers. Arvina is an enrolled member of the Ho-Chunk Nation, is Stockbridge-Munsee, and has worked with Native communities throughout her entire career. She has worked with Native youth, encouraging them to think about their post-high school education, and has worked with tribes to support transportation and employment goals with all levels of government. Arvina has also worked on political campaigns, including three presidential campaigns. She has experience creating grassroots networks, particularly in Native communities, as well as putting together virtual events during the pandemic. She cares deeply about engaging those who are new to politics in the process and connecting them to people, organizations, and information to make sure they make their voices heard. She uses her background to work on city programs, like access to housing, mental health care, transportation, sustainability, and the ballot box with an equity and forward-thinking lens. Arvina lives in Madison, WI, with her mother and daughter, and enjoys playing roller derby, and working on beadwork in her free time.