Peggy Flanagan, a citizen of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe, will go Washington DC next year as the first Native American woman elected to the US Senate.

Ms Flanagan was one of at least two Native American women to make history in the polls, with New Mexico candidate Deb Haaland, a member of the Laguna Pueblo tribe, becoming the first Indigenous woman elected as a US state governor.

"To the daughters and to the sons who too often are forgotten or erased, I see you, do not be disheartened that it took 250 years for one of us to get here," Ms Flanagan began.

"Be inspired by the fact that through the grit and determination and resilience of our people, whichever one of you is next you're going to get here a lot faster."

The senator-elect wasted no time in reinforcing her agenda for fundamental change.

"We will rip ICE apart," she said, sparking a roar of approval from the crowd at her victory party.

"We have the opportunity to replace it with a immigration system that is grounded in public safety, dignity and due process... a system that does not tear children from their families.

"We will stop Washington's corruption and hold the most corrupt administration in our nation's history accountable every day.

"And we will end Donald Trump's reckless war in Iran.

"And hear me now; we will pass Medicare for all once and for all."

Melanie Benjamin, who served two decades as Chief Executive of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe before completing her final term in 2024, hailed Ms Flanagan's victory, telling MPR News: "We have a voice."

Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy hailed the First Nations candidates "making history in the United States".

"Congratulations to these Indigenous women on their historic achievements!" she wrote on social media.