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Indian issues share spotlight at Democratic convention
Thursday, July 29, 2004

New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson may be a star at the Democratic National Convention but another governor made his mark in Boston on Wednesday.

Stuwart Paisano, the governor of Sandia Pueblo, gave a three-minute speech at the opening of the session. He pointed out that New Mexico is unique because it has more than one governor.

"Ours is the only state with 20 governors -- one for each of the 19 Indian Pueblos and one for the state," he told delegates.

Paisano acknowledged that the tribal leaders may not get as much attention as Richardson, who serves as chair of the convention and was the subject of intense speculation that he would be picked as Sen. John Kerry's running mate. That role went to Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina.

But at this year's gathering, which has drawn a record 87 Indian delegates representing tribes from Connecticut to California, Native Americans play a prominent role. In fact, Paisano was the second tribal leader to have addressed the party on issues important to Indian Country. Ned Norris, vice-president of the Tohono O'odham Nation of Arizona, spoke via satellite from his tribe's reservation on Tuesday about homeland security.

The attention paid to tribal issues is indicative of the high stakes in the upcoming election, which will determine control of the White House and the Congress. Both parties are actively working to shore up support in states like New Mexico, Arizona, Montana, South Dakota and Alaska, where Native turnout can make or break a candidate.

"While in the past the Native American vote may have been overlooked, we understand the importance of participating in the political process," Paisano said.

To considerable applause, Paisano said the Kerry-Edwards team supports tribal sovereignty. He also said the party's focus on health care, education and the environment reflects the priorities of Indian Country.

"In Native American communities, diabetes and alcoholism are at epidemic levels," he said. "The crisis in health care is one war worth fighting."

Paisano criticized the Bush administration's No Child Left Behind Act, which focuses on student achievement and accountability, as an "empty promise." The Democrats, in policy papers and statements, have been eager to note that the White House has slashed funds for Indian schools and tribal colleges.

Environmental policies of the Bush administration benefit special interests, Paisano charged. "Native Americans have always known the importance of living in harmony with the natural world," he said. "History teaches us that policies affecting our land and natural resources must be balanced."

"Beautiful or unique places must be preserved for future generations to enjoy," he said.

The DNC's Native American Caucus met on Monday and Wednesday of this week and drew visits from a number of politicians, including former presidential candidate Howard Dean, Sen. Tom Daschle of South Dakota and Rep. Patrick Kennedy of Rhode Island, one of the co-founders of the Congressional Native American Caucus.

The Kerry-Edwards campaign has tapped Anna Sorrell, an employee and member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of Montana, as its director of Native American outreach. In 2002 and 2003, Sorrell was a prominent voice on the Department of Interior's trust reform task force and, more recently, has been an advocate for greater self-governance as her tribe sought to manage the National Bison Refuge.

The convention, which started Monday, wraps up this evening as Kerry accepts the party's presidential nomination. Last night, Edwards will be nominated as vice-president earlier in the day.

The focus will then shift to New York City, where the Republican Party will holds its convention from August 30-September 2. Some tribes, like the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation of Connecticut, and tribal organizations, including the National Indian Gaming Association, plan to attend.

Relevant Links:
Democratic National Convention - http://www.dems2004.org
Republican National Convention - http://www.2004nycgop.org