Reznet

Native Americans Gather at RNC to Discuss 2008 Native Vote Initiative, Native Issues‏

By Adam McMullin

Native Americans met at an informal Native American Caucus and Policy Issues Forum at the Republican National Convention (RNC) in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minn., focusing on Native American issues and Native voter outreach and protection in this year's election.

The Caucus also discussed the Republican Native American policy platform statement. National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) Executive Director Jacqueline Johnson Pata also introduced the Native American presidential transition plan.

"It's important for us to bring Indian Country issues to the RNC," Johnson Pata said. "We have to ensure that that both parties are well informed and that candidates are vying for the Native vote."

NCAI's 2008 Native Vote initiative has identified key states where the Native Vote could make a difference in this year's presidential and senatorial elections including Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

Representatives from Sen. John McCain's presidential campaign addressed tribal issues under a McCain administration and Indian Country's involvement in a positive and beneficial transition.

Congressman Tom Cole (OK-R-4th) attended the policy forum.

"I'm so impressed to see the number of tribal leaders and Native American delegates here today engaged in the republican political process," Congressman Cole said. "The Native vote is key in a number of presidential states, as well as several senatorial and congressional races, and Senator McCain understands Native issues like no other presidential candidate in history."

Speaking to members of Congress, the forum attendees focused on legislative priorities, such as stimulating Indian Country economies, effective law enforcement, Native American health disparities and opportunities in energy resources.

NCAI also helped coordinate a similar caucus and forum at the Democratic National Convention in Denver last week.

For more information on NCAI's 2008 Native Vote campaign and for targeted state statistics please visit www.nativevote.org.

Adam McMullin is communications director of the National Congress of American Indians. Founded in 1944, NCAI is the oldest, largest and most representative American Indian and Alaska Native organization in the country. NCAI advocates on behalf of tribal governments, promoting strong tribal-federal government-to-government policies, and promoting a better understanding among the general public regarding American Indian and Alaska Native governments, people and rights.