American Indian voters wield political punch

[bigtree]

By KAREN MacPHERSON
BLADE WASHINGTON BUREAU
http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040202/NEWS09/102020132/-1/NEWS

There are an estimated 1.5 million American Indian voters nationwide compared to more than 100 million U.S. registered voters. But the concentration of American Indians in three states with presidential contests tomorrow - Arizona, New Mexico, and Oklahoma - gives them an opportunity to wield political power, especially in a close race, political experts say.

Several Democratic presidential candidates have openly courted the American Indian vote. For example, Wesley Clark, Howard Dean, John Kerry, and Dennis Kucinich have devoted space on their Web sites for a discussion of their positions on issues of interest to American Indians, including tribal sovereignty.

Nationwide, there are 2.5 million American Indians and Alaska natives, comprising about 0.9 percent of the U.S. population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Another 1.6 million people reported their heritage includes American Indian or Alaska native ancestry, as well as that of one or more other races, Census figures show.

Among the key issues are a push to solidify tribal sovereignty, better funding for Indian health care and education, and an equitable solution to the decade-old fight over tribal funds held in trust by the federal government. In November, we will stand up in force to support those Republican, Democratic, and Independent leaders who have honored this nation’s commitments to tribes and to send home those leaders who have disregarded us,’’ Mr. Hall said.


John Kerry Answers National Congress of American Indians Presidential Candidate Questionnaire:
http://www.johnkerry.com/communities/nativeamericans/question.html

Speech to the National Congress of American Indians
http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/speeches/spc_2003_1117.html


Please feel free to display your candidate's appeal here.

[xchrom]

1. ah the irony, eh?

most of the time, so little power -- but every so often, all of a sudden, everyone wants a piece of their time.

[bigtree]

2. Wes Clark has made quite an impression in Oklahoma

http://www.nativetimes.com/index.asp?action=displayarticle&article_id=3730

[bigtree]

3. Bip

:kick:

[Taeger]

4. Native Americans ...

Native American's deserve their own sovereignty. But they should still be part of the United States. They SHOULDN'T be subject to the laws of the state they live in.

I would propose that the collective tribal lands should be a "virtual" state. That is, Native Americans reservations should collectively be an American state.

[Desertrose]

5. Good point taeger..Kucinch would grant sovereignity

but I feel that each tribe should be unto themselves.....intersting idea though.

Peace DR

[Taeger]

8. Not enough numbers ...

The individual Reservations don't have large enough populations to warrant being a state. Collectively, they could warrant a representative in the house and their own collective Governor.

This is the big problem. We don't want true sovereign nations WITHIN the United States. It's just weird. But if you make the reservations a state, then they have the same rights to self governance as any other state. The individual reservations would then be regarded as counties. Obviously, these counties would have a great deal of autonomy within the aboriginal "state". Ultimately, it wouldn't be up to us white folk, it would be up to the Native Americans.

In general, I despise Casino gaming. But I think it's been a great way to pay the Native Americans back for all the abuse they've suffered. It's now THEIR job to turn that cash into infrastructure on the reservations.

[bigtree]

7. Taeger, Welcome To DU!

I would agree with one caveat.

I don't believe that as we turn over responsibility for the land we should exempt tribal land from U.S. government environmental oversight. One reason is that the government would be all too willing to hand over polluted lands and wash their hands of any liability. Two, I don't think that we can assume that Indigenous interests are always benign. I still believe in the potential for our government to get it right.

That said, I am all for giving more control over more of the ancestral lands back to the People. Nevada for instance is like 70% government owned. Wrong.

[Desertrose]

6. Kucinich- First Nations webpages

Kucinich has had his first Nations webpage up since early Nov. and has quite a few Native endorsers....

http://www.kucinich.us/firstnations/

Dennis Kucinich for President
Comprehensive Policy for First Nations
1. Sovereignty

Many people in this country have forgotten that Native Americans constitute this country's First Americans, and their tribes our First Nations. We all need to remember that Indian tribes are sovereign nations and treaties between the tribes and the federal government are treaties between sovereign equals. First and foremost, I would honor our treaties with our First Nations.

My administration will offer all First Nations an official apology for the past injustices of the United States of America toward native peoples. We cannot work together now and in the future until we reconcile the past. This healing needs to take place.


http://www.kucinich.us/pressreleases/pr_011504.php

Dennis Kucinich has said that as President he will:
"will offer an official apology to our First Nations, on behalf of the United States, for the more that two hundred years of “broken treaties, broken promises, and broken hearts.”

tp://www.indiancountry.com/?1075483690

ICT: Yes … but if you could tell us what is the common, most important concern of all Indian tribes, what would it be?

Kucinich: Truth. The truth about the U.S. government treatment of Native Americans. That is the consistent concern. The truth must be told and when the truth is told the American people will open up their hearts and begin the healing process. And my role is to be the truth teller.

ICT: What kind of response are you getting from Indian county to your candidacy so far?

Kucinich: It’s been with open arms. People are grateful that someone cares about them to learn and to share and to speak about the issues. Especially a presidential candidate. That’s where it becomes very important.

Dennis truly connecets with Native Americans ...no more lies...truth & hope. That is what Dennis is about....healing....

Peace
DR