Democratic Presidential Hopefuls to Meet With Indian Country

Looks like for one of the first times ever, candidates for President will be meeting with Native American leaders to discuss "Indian Country" and to beg for support. This largely unprecedented event is thanks to the organizing ability of Kalyn Free of the Choctaw Nation and the organization she founded. This comes from the Indiginous Democratic Network (INDN):

INDN's List Education Fund will launch historic Prez on the Rez in Washington, DC, February 26, 2007, 5:00p.m.-7:00p.m. Click here to view invitation.

This August the Democratic candidates for President of the United States will be coming to Indian Country for an unprecedented forum on Indian issues. Prez on the Rez will bring together the Democratic candidates for President to address the future of Indian Country in front of thousands of tribal leaders, elected officials, INDN elected officials, tribal members, and activists. You can learn more by visiting www.prezontherez. org now.

One exciting feature of the website is the ability to submit suggested questions to be asked of the candidates at the forum. We want to ensure tribal leaders and tribal citizens have the chance to ask questions from Indian Country, about the issues that Indian people face.

We expect all the contenders to participate, including: Sens. Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, Joseph Biden, and Christopher Dodd, Rep. Dennis Kucinich, former Sens. John Edwards and Mike Gravel, Govs. Bill Richardson and Tom Vilsack, and Ret. Gen. Wesley Clark.

Give now to make Prez on the Rez a huge success.

“With Prez on the Rez we hope to show our Presidential candidates the power of Indians as a voting constituency,” said Kalyn Free, “but also make clear their responsibility as leaders to work with Indian Country to make sure American Indians are a part of the American Dream.”

Prez on the Rez will give American Indians an historic opportunity to engage our national leaders in a conversation on building a more prosperous future for our Indian Nations and for all Americans. The resources, advice, and votes that Indian Nations offer can be leveraged in support of a prosperous Indian Country and the interests of all Americans. And Prez on the Rez offers our leaders the opportunity to join Indian Nations in countering the tragedy of economic inequality and political disenfranchisement by building prosperous communities and by establishing a voice in our democracy...

Prez on the Rez is being hosted by the INDN’s List Education Fund (ILEF), a non-profit organization founded to leverage the power of Indian voters on behalf of causes important to Indian Country and working families everywhere.

“ILEF and Prez on the Rez will dramatically expand the kinds of things we can do for Indians and Indian issues around the country,” said Kalyn Free. “This gives us an opportunity to influence the political debate while the whole nation is watching, and to make sure candidates are responsive to our issues...”

In addition to Prez on the Rez, ILEF will begin the Native American Network (NAN) Project, which will serve as our Indian voter mobilization project, designed not only to help boost voter turnout in Indian Country, but actually translate the power of the ballot box into advocacy for issues important to Indian Country. Simply voting is not enough. It’s time Indian Country took an active role in determining the issues addressed at all levels of government.

Visit www.prezontherez. org regularly for all the latest news.

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