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Native Superdelegate Endorses Obama
CHICAGO — Kalyn Free, an at-large member of the Democratic National Committee, announced that she supports Illinois Sen. Barack Obama for the Democratic Party's presidential nomination.
As a DNC member, Free will serve as a superdelegate to the Democratic National Convention. Free is also founder and President of INDN's List, an organization dedicated to recruiting and training American Indian candidates.
This brings the total number of superdelegates to endorse Barack Obama to 258. Sen. Obama is 276 delegates away from securing the Democratic nomination.
Free, a Choctaw from Oklahoma, is one of three Native American superdelegates. The others — Frank LeMere, a Winnebago from Nebraska, and Margarett Campbell, from Montana's Fort Peck Reservation — have expressed support for Obama. Campbell told a New York Times reporter that she favors Obama but has not endorsed him publicly because to do so would break party rules against backing a candidate before Montana's June 3 primary.
Free said she was excited to see two qualified candidates emerge from the field of Democratic contenders. "Today, I am casting my support for a new kind of leadership and a new possibility of what America can be. Barack Obama is a once-in-a-generation kind of leader and the best hope the American people have to rebuild the erosion our collective foundation has endured the last eight years. In 2008, we must elect a President who will restore our faith in the possibilities of each and every American, including the First Americans.
"As a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, I am proud of what it means to be an American Indian. I am proud Barack Obama is committed to our unique issues and willing to tackle our toughest problems, from historical inequities and injustices to contemporary issues, like protection of our right to tribal self-determination, access to health care for our elders, and education for our children. Despite the threats that have faced our culture and our people, hope has lifted Indian people through the most difficult times. Because we remain connected to our past, our culture and our communities, we never gave up that hope. American Indians need not just progressive ideas but new and visionary leadership that inspire us to build a better future for all Americans. No President alone can rebuild the American public after eight years of George Bush's disastrous policies and poisonous politics. I support Senator Obama because I believe the only way to rebuild America is to rebuild what makes us great - the hope and drive of the American people.
"Senator Obama is committed to bringing American Indians into the national discussion and into the political process as voters, organizers, and leaders. He will start a two-way dialogue with Tribes by coming to Indian Country to seek solutions for our unique issues and by bringing Indians into his administration.
"For centuries the First Americans have had politicians talk to them, not with them. That kind of politics-as-usual leadership hasn't worked for Indian Country, and it isn't working for America. Senator Obama will forge a new era for the First Americans by looking for answers in Indian Country, not from Washington lobbyists.
"I am proud to stand in solidarity with another DNC Indian superdelegate Frank LaMere (Winnebago) in support of America's best hope for a better tomorrow, Senator Barack Obama."
Senator Obama said, "Kalyn is an effective and compassionate leader in the Native American community, and I'm proud to have her support. I admire the work she has done to build a grassroots movement, elect Native Americans to public office, and mobilize voters in tribal communities to become part of the political process. And as President, I will work with tribal leaders and Kalyn to ensure that they have a true partner in the White House. With Kalyn's support, we're going to bring about real change not just for the Native American community, but for all Americans."
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Comments?
Native Superdelgate
CHANGE, it is the only hope we really have. Just because Obama does not open is mouth to provide the Mainstream an opportunity to cut and whittle away at him, does not indicate he is unaware.
Hillary and McCain stink, will do the same thing's they always did!
Clinton and McCain more of the same. Like they did much to help Natives as Harry Reid, what a joke, ruined the rural state of Nevada and claims he is for Natives.............
If Obama has Governor Richardson as his running mate, I WILL VOTE FOR HIM! Otherwise, what is the use ?(lol)................
I support Obama because of the possibility of Governor Richardson being his Vice Presidential candidate.
If this happens, Hillary or Obama, I will vote for them. Also, I am sick of the racism and gender cards used by Hillary.
Richardson if you go to his Presidential web page has the most extensive Native American Policy initiatives and he does come from a Chicano (Mexican Mother), back ground! He just does not brag about his heritage!
Go to this link and research, Governor Richardson is the MAN!
http://www.richardsonforpresident.com/communities/native_americans/pressreleases?id=0001
Welcome to Native Americans for Richardson
I stand with Native Americans to fight for what is important to all Americans: providing quality healthcare; insuring equal opportunity to education; caring for our elders; creating jobs and building basic infrastructure; and planning for future generations.
I believe in honoring American Indian, Alaskan Natives and Native Hawaiians communities by strengthening tribal governments and supporting the self-sufficiency of Native communities, including Native urban populations. I don’t just talk about these ideas. I’ve done it in Congress, at the Department of Energy and as Governor of New Mexico. As President, I will work to restore the trust between our government and our country’s Native peoples. My administration will focus on policies that promote the continued strength, integrity, and resiliency of Native Americans.
The relationship between the federal government and tribes has increasingly come under assault. President Bush’s Administration has created an environment that undermines Tribal America’s forward progress. The attack on tribal sovereignty must stop.
Governor Richardson discusses his positions on Native American issues at the Prez on the Rez event.
National Native American Advisory Council for Bill Richardson
Hon. Joe Garcia (Ohkay Owingeh) New Mexico
Native Advisors Co-Chair and President of NCAI
Mr. Ron Andrade (La Jolla) California
Director, Los Angeles Indian Commission
Ms. Shenan Atcitty (Navajo) Washington, D.C.
Attorney, Holland & Knight
Hon. Irene Auginaush (White Earth) Minnesota
Councilwoman, White Earth Tribal Council
Hon. Don Barlow (Ottawa) Washington
Representative, Washington State Legislature
Hon. J. Robert Benavides (Isleta Pueblo) New Mexico
Governor, Pueblo of Isleta
Hon. Lora Ann Chaisson (United Houma Nation) Louisiana
United Houma Nation Tribal Council
Hon. J. Michael Chavarria (Santa Clara) New Mexico
Governor, Pueblo of Santa Clara
Hon. Conroy Chino (Acoma Pueblo) New Mexico
Former NM Secretary of Labor
Hon. Norman Cooeyate (Zuni Pueblo) New Mexico
Governor, Pueblo of Zuni
Ms. Helen Doherty (Cherokee) California
Chair, Native American Caucus, California Democratic Party
Mr. Andrew Ebona (Tlingit) Alaska
Tribal Council Member of the Douglas Village - Tlingit Tribe
Hon. Elizabeth Furse, Oregon
Former U.S. Representative
Hon. Raymond Gachupin (Jemez) New Mexico
Governor, Pueblo of Jemez
Mr. Kevin Gover (Pawnee) Arizona
Former Assistant Secretary of the Dept. of Interior
Ms. LaDonna Harris (Comanche) New Mexico
President, Americans for Indian Opportunity
Hon. Jason Johnson (Acoma Pueblo) New Mexico
Governor, Pueblo of Acoma
Mr. Tadd Johnson (Mille Lacs Ojibwe) Minnesota
Former Chair, National Indian Gaming Commission
Ms. Onawa Lacy (Navajo) New Mexico
Former Miss New Mexico USA
Hon. Kevin Leecy (Bois Forte) Minnesota
Chair, Bois Forte and Vice Chair, National Indian Gaming Assoc.
Mr. Harold Lockwood (Laguna Pueblo)
Sgt. at Arms, National American Indian Veterans
Ms. Elizabeth Lohah Homer (Osage) Washington, D.C.
Partner, Homer Law
Hon. Alvin Moyle (Fallon Paiute-Shoshone) Nevada
Chairman, Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe
Hon. Stuart Paisano (Sandia Pueblo) New Mexico
Former Governor, Pueblo of Sandia
Hon. Ivan Posey (Eastern Shoshone) Wyoming
Chairman, Eastern Shoshone Tribe
Hon. George Rivera (Pojoaque Pueblo) New Mexico
Governor, Pueblo of Pojoaque
Mr. Sonny Skyhawk (Rosebud Lakota Nation) California
Chairman, American Indians in Film & Television
Mr. Ron Solimon (Laguna Pueblo) New Mexico
Director, Indian Pueblo Cultural Center
Col.(US Army, Ret) Joey Strickland (Choctaw-Cherokee) Louisiana
Deputy Secretary, LA Dept of Veterans Affairs
Hon. Hugh Stevens (Te-moak of Western Shoshone) Nevada
Former Chair, Temoak Tribe of Western Shoshone
Mr. Wes Studi (Cherokee) New Mexico
Actor
Hon. Gilbert Suazo (Taos Pueblo) New Mexico
Governor, Pueblo of Taos
Hon. Eddie Tullis (Poarch Creek Band) Alabama
Republican Indians for Richardson
Hon. Dennis Vigil (Nambe Pueblo) New Mexico
Governor, Pueblo of Nambe
Hon. Gil Vigil (Tesuque Pueblo) New Mexico
Former Governor, Pueblo of Tesuque
Hon. Brian Wallace (Washoe Tribe) Nevada
Former Chairman, Washoe Tribe
Hon Alvin Warren (Santa Clara Pueblo) New Mexico
Lt. Governor, Pueblo of Santa Clara
Hon. Judy Winchester (Pokagon Band Potawatomi) Michigan
Secretary, Pokagon Band
Ohkay Owingeh, New Mexico
The Pueblo of Santa Ana, New Mexico
The Pueblo of Isleta, New Mexico
The Pueblo of Taos, New Mexico
The Pueblo de San Ildefonso, New Mexico
Dr. Mel
Northern Paiute - Chippewa-Cree
nativearchdoc@yahoo.com
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