Democratic Candidates Answer to Native American Questions

Picture of Howard Dean, Kalyn Free and Frank Lamere by June Caldwell

On Thursday, August 23, 2007, history was made in Indian Country at the Presidential forum following an exhaustive week of training for Native American political leaders. Three Presidential candidates and Chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Governor Howard Dean assembled at the Morongo Casino in California, to address questions posed by a room of 300 elected First American leaders and representatives of 75 Indian nations. Frank La Mere, the highest-ranking American Indian in any political organization in the country and member of the Executive Committee of the DNC, acted as emcee periodically throughout the 'Prez on the Rez' event. Howard Dean explained the goal is not just a place at the table - but also a place on the ticket - for Native Americans.

Governor Richardson (NM) had the largest and most visible support of the Presidential candidates that attended. He was the first candidate to have cabinet level Native Americans in his state and promised one for his Presidency, as they all did.

Congressman Dennis Kucinich (OH) modeled his cabinet level Dept of Peace House Resolution, HR 808, on the Peacemaker system of Native American dispute resolution and showed understanding and affirmation of the sovereignty of Native Americans on decisions about their lives. He went one step further expressing commitment to not only give the Native Americans a place at the table, and on the ticket, but also to lead the way to peace for us all.

Former Senator Gravel (AK) Alaska had worked extensively with native issues there and expressed the importance of term limits in the Judiciary to make sure representation is corrected if necessary.

This all followed an extensive week of 10 hour days training Native Americans for leadership in elected office in the U.S. Governor Howard Dean wrapped up with tying this meeting in with the Democratic Party’s core value of social and economic justice for all. Kalyn Free, the charismatic and inspiring President of the organization that put it all together (Indigenous Democratic Network, INDN’s List) outlined the next step, setting a precedent in the upcoming Nevada primary of Indian participation and gathering the numbers to show the impact.

I asked Senator Gravel what he sees as the value of this event. He summed it up for us all by explaining to me, “…By attending the Prez on the Rez forum, I am both extending my gratitude to the tribes, and welcoming the opportunity to discuss our collective vision for a more peaceful world. In these dark days of preemptive war and rampant government corruption, we would be wise to listen to the wisdom of the elders who are not driven by greed and ambition, but rather by a vision of a harmonious and integrated global community. Power is not found in military might or bloated corporate profits. True power is found in peace.”

For more information, check out: www.prezontherez.org.