NCAI : Tribal leaders focusing on votes in 2004

Note by Hunter Bear:

The Bush administration has done virtually nothing on behalf of Native
people.  But it has cut monies to Native programs -- such as US Indian
Health Service and Indian education.  Those cuts into promised and needed
services are tantamount to treaty violations.  NCAI can and does play a
shrewd political game with any administration and Federal Indian funds --
but I am quite sure that NCAI has virtually no faith in Bush et al.  H


Tribal leaders focusing on votes in 2004
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 2004
http://www.indianz.com/News/archive/000304.asp

With the promise of 1 million voters at the polls this November, the
president of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) kicked off the
largest inter-tribal organization's winter session on Monday.

President Tex Hall echoed the theme of the three-day conference in his
opening remarks about the importance of the Native vote. He said the
national parties are paying attention to American Indians and Alaska Natives
because they have the power to tip elections in several key states.

"That means that the Bush administration and Congress can step up to the
plate for us this year," Hall told tribal representatives in Washington,
D.C. "That we can work together with them to solve the seemingly unsolvable.
And if Congress and the administration forget, well, we will have a reminder
for them -- 1 million votes."

The message was carried throughout the first afternoon of NCAI's winter
session. A standing-room crowd greeted Bush administration officials and
leading members of Congress for discussions on the federal budget, trust
reform and health care.

"Ask candidates where they stand on trust reform and what they will do to
build consensus for a just settlement," challenged Sen. Tom Daschle
(D-S.D.). "Ask them and say that they don't get your vote until they say yes
to your determination to get that done."

Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), a longtime tribal advocate, said he will be
stepping down as vice-chairman of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee later
this year, as will Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colo.), the current chair
who is another strong defender. "It's been a lot of joy," Inouye told
attendees.

But he said Native voters have a shot at putting another friend, Sen. Tim
Johnson (D-S.D.), in the powerful post. In November 2002, Johnson was
re-elected by 524 votes with the help of Native Americans.

"If Indian Country is active in this election, if Indian Country did what it
did not too long ago ... if you are successful, he will be chairman of the
Indian Affairs Committee," Inouye said to applause. Democrats would have to
regain control of the Senate for a party member to head the panel.

NCAI's winter session continues today with appearances by several members of
Congress, including Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), who is facing her first
election this year. Since being appointed to the post by her father, who
retired to become governor of Alaska, she has emerged as an advocate for
Alaska Natives and rural Alaskans.

Making his first appearance today before NCAI is Dave Anderson, the new head
of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. He was sworn in earlier this month and had
an public ceremony for visiting tribes in Washington, D.C., yesterday
afternoon.


HUNTER GRAY [HUNTER BEAR]
www.hunterbear.org

When you cut to the bone  and cut away the college degrees, academic and
other titles, published books and articles, ours is essentially a working
class and Indian family.  We consistently join unions  -- and we always
support them with the greatest vigor.


It's critical to always keep fighting -- and to always remember that, if one
lives with grace, he/she should be prepared to die with grace.




"[C]apital comes dripping from head to foot, from every pore, with blood and 
dirt."
--Marx, Capital, Vol. 1, Chapter 31

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