Both promise White House-level position for American Indian issues
PHOENIX—October 21, 2008—Delegates to the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) 65th Annual Convention and Tradeshow heard video addresses from U.S. Sens. Barack Obama (D-IL) and John McCain (R-AZ) during its general assembly session at the organization’s 65th Annual Convention and Tradeshow.
“It is equally important for presidential candidates to be informed on American Indian issues as it is for Indian voters to be familiar with the candidates’ policy platform for Indian Country,” said NCAI President Joe A. Garcia.
Both candidates promised an American Indian position at the White House level.
“I’ll make sure tribal nations have a voice in the White House,” Sen. Obama said. “I’ll appoint an American Indian policy advisor to my senior White House staff to work with tribes and will host an annual summit at the White House with tribal leaders to come up with an agenda that works for tribal communities.”
In a video address introduced by Senator Jon Kyl (R-AZ), Sen. McCain said the federal government can and should help all native communities. “We must never again get in the situation where the federal government dictates solutions to the problems you confront. I will create a tribal government position in intergovernmental affairs.”
Sen. Obama also said he would end nearly a century of mismanagement of Indian trust funds and make sure treaty rights are managed responsibly.
“Indian nations have never asked much of the United States, only for what was promised by treaty obligations made to their fore bearers,” Sen. Obama said. “I believe treaty commitments are paramount law and I will fulfill those commitments as President of the United States.”
Sen. McCain’s video included a message from Alaska Governor and vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin.
“Growing up in Alaska I always admired the independence and respect of tradition of the native communities,” Gov. Palin said. “My experience as Governor has only confirmed my high opinion of Natives who were the first to live in the last frontier.”
Sen. McCain, who has attended NCAI meetings in the past said, “Not only is NCAI the oldest and largest of national tribal organizations but it has consistently been at the forefront of the work that’s been done over the last 50 years. It’s not well understood and little remembered but it was the plea of the tribal leaders for respect of the treaties and right of the tribes to be self governing at NCAI meeting in Chicago in 1961 that started the chain of events that led to the end of termination era and the beginning of the era of self-determination.”
NCAI’s 65th Annual Convention runs through Friday, October 24 in Phoenix. The video addresses will be available for viewing at www.nativevote.org. For more information on NCAI’s Native Vote Campaign, contact Loren Birdrattler at lbirdrattler@ncai.org or 202-466-7767.
