From Kenya to the North Dakota House of Representatives

BISMARCK — In an interview, Rep. Hamida Dakane, D-Fargo, shared her outstanding story: her background, her legislative priorities, and her reception as a Muslim lady of colour within the North Dakota Home of Representatives.

Dakane is initially from Kenya. She got here to North Dakota in 2012 to attend North Dakota State College by means of the Variety Immigrant Visa Program. She later earned a grasp’s diploma in public administration on the College of Mary in Bismarck.

“I stayed ever since 2012. I bought concerned in the neighborhood and stayed in North Dakota,” Dakane stated. “I all the time wished to discover a option to give again to the group. I used to be requested to run for consultant, and I couldn’t say no as a result of I wished to provide again.”

Dakane stated her legislative priorities embrace reasonably priced housing, youngster care, and workforce points. She stated she feels assured concerning the work that has been carried out this session in relation to workforce growth.

The kid care payments that Dakane launched have failed, except for one nonetheless in committee. Dakane stated she feels assured that these payments could have a greater likelihood in later classes.

“They didn’t oppose the payments as a result of they didn’t like the concept, they simply wished to ensure it was a superb, sustainable plan,” Dakane stated. “We’ll proceed to work on them for the folks of North Dakota.”

Dakane stated she feels she has been obtained effectively by her legislative colleagues. “I’m completely different than everybody else, however that doesn’t imply I’ve been handled otherwise.

“Everybody I’ve talked to has been excellent, and I hope to get to know them higher. Thus far, so good.”

Rep. Jim Kasper, R-Fargo, works with Dakane on the Trade, Enterprise, and Labor Committee. In an interview, Kasper described Dakane as “Clever, vivid, cheerful, and a pleasure to be round.”

Requested if she sees herself persevering with her work as a lawmaker, Dakane stated, “I’d like to proceed serving the folks of North Dakota and my district for so long as I can.”

Dakane stated she desires to proceed to battle for enhancements in state assist for youngster care, housing, and workforce points. She additionally desires to battle towards “hateful payments” within the Legislature.

“There are such a lot of payments focusing on members of particular communities, and I simply need readers to know that not everybody within the Legislature agrees with these payments. We see you and we hear you.”

Dakane famous the a number of payments regarding transgender points which have been making their method by means of the Legislature, together with a invoice that might have restricted the usage of private pronouns. That invoice was vetoed by Gov. Doug Burgum, and the Home did not override the veto.

“It’s simply so unhappy that we’re spending a lot time and vitality on issues that divide our group, quite than engaged on issues that unite us.”

Isabelle Ballalatak is a reporting intern with the North Dakota Newspaper Affiliation.