http://www.nativetimes.com/index.asp?action=displayarticle&article_id=9479

Native American Superdelegates growing in importance and numbers

By Louis Gray, Chief Political Correspondent 5/5/2008

As the political primary season grinds to an end, the role of Native
American superdelegates in this historic election has caught everyone by
surprise. This is especially true of all the Native American superdelegates
identified so far.

The Democratic Party has no list of just Native American as delegates or
superdelegates. It is estimated an unprecedented 150 Native American
delegates from all over Indian Country. That prospect has Margaret
Campbell, a State Representative and Ft. Peck tribal member, excited about
the upcoming convention.

“I want to get all together and meet as one,” Campbell said. She is also
Vice Chairman of the Montana Democratic Party Executive Committee. The
Poplar resident said this election cycle and the growing roles of Native
Americans “may be the pinnacle of the Native role, but it feels close to
the excitement of the Bill Clinton campaign of 1992,” when so many Indian
people became involved at many levels to help him get elected.

Campbell is one of the much ballyhooed superdelegates who can support
whoever they want. Campbell came out in April to support U.S. Senator
Barack Obama, had to withdraw the official endorsement because party rules
forbid her from making any kind of public support for any candidate for
now. State Party rules say she must stay neutral until after the June 3rd
primary in Montana. Although she has made several public statements saying
she is still leaning toward Obama, she told the Native American Times she
will honor the direction her state goes.

Long time Democratic activist Frank LaMere, a Winnebago Indian, endorsed
Obama on February 8, 2008 and said "We, as Native Americans, have always
stood four square with the Democratic Party and they have always stood four
square with us. We will continue to do so in 2008 as we elect a Democratic
President to restore the national vision that has been blurred during the
last eight years. I ask your help in this endeavor,” LaMere said.

He, like Campbell, is looking forward to meeting with the Native American
Caucus. And apparently they are not alone.

“There were some people who said ‘lets go over to the Native American
Caucus, they get things done over there,’” LaMere told the Native American
Times. LaMere said the Native American Caucus is a very serious group of
leaders. He too thought this election cycle was historic in its large
involvement of Indian people. LaMere is the Chairman of the Native
Americans for the Democratic National Committee and said this year has been
the greatest involvement of Indians registering to vote and getting
involved he’s ever seen.

Another Democratic Party activist is Kalyn Free, the Executive Director of
INDNSlist, an organization dedicated to educating Native voters and getting
Indian candidates elected to office. It’s a dedication which has paid off
hamsomely for her and the Native candidates who have signed up for her
services. As a superdelegate for Oklahoma she is not bound by party rules
to remain neutral. Recently, Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry announced his
intention to support Obama. Free has been the object of much politicking by
Clinton and Obama supporters.

Free, a Choctaw Indian who once ran for Congress was also interviewed by
the Native American Times. How will the participation of Native Americans
at the convention affect Indian people, the Democratic Party, and you? “I
always say that “Little Indian Boys and Girls cannot be What They Cannot
See.” We will have an historic number of Indian Delegates at the National
Convention – which will be a wonderful opportunity for us to inspire the
youth to follow in our footsteps, not just to become active as voters, but
as party activists and leaders, and ultimately as candidates and elected
officials. “

“ The Democratic Party’s values are the values of Indian People: taking
care of the elderly, the children, those less fortunate, giving a helping
hand to those who need it the most. The Democratic Party is about “We” not
“Me,” which is so in tune with our Indian Values. Key Democratic Party
leaders like Chairman Dean know and appreciate this. The Democratic Party
under his leadership has reached out in immeasurable ways to include
Indians at all levels of the Party. Having Indian Delegates at the
Convention will showcase that Indians are “coming home” to a place where we
are respected, valued, and needed most,” Free said to the Native American
Times.

“I was blessed to go to the 2000 National Convention in LA, my first, and
it was, without a doubt, the most exciting, invigorating, and empowering
experience I have ever had. My only wish is that every politically active
Indian could attend a National Convention – it will forever inspire them.
In 2000, we only had a handful of Indians at the Convention, this year will
have dozens. In Oklahoma alone we have 7 tribal members serving as
delegates and we are reaching out across the country to create a network of
Indian Delegates. For this Super Delegate, it is Super Exciting to have
Indians from all over the country share in this rewarding experience. Not
only will we be making history by nominating either the first African
American or the first woman, but we will make that history with the largest
Indian Delegation in history,” Free said.

What is the difference between this year and the last Presidential election
in terms of Native participation? “Indian Country is definitely on the
radar screen this year for several reasons. First, we have become more
politically sophisticated by electing our own tribal members to state and
local offices – suddenly they see us playing and winning in their politics
where we have long been ignored. Second, the focus on the New West, the
battleground states of NM and AZ offer ripe opportunities for Indian
Country to be a real determining factor in who the next President is. But
it’s not just the White House that tribal members can influence, it’s the
congressional and senate races in NM and AZ as well. This can be, with
sufficient resources to support our efforts, the “Year of the INDN” Free
said.

Are you under a lot of pressure from the Obama and Clinton campaigns to
support them? “We receive multiple calls from the campaigns weekly.
Although the “pressure” ebbs and flows. For example, just prior to the TX
and OH primaries, the campaigns were calling several times a day. “

What is the most unusual or funny way you have been wooed by the two
campaigns? “I’m still waiting on one or both of the candidates to ask me to
organize a national event with tribal leaders to address our concerns,
something like a Prez on the Rez perhaps. Seriously, I am excited about
both of my party’s candidates; however the Democratic Nominee, whoever he
or she is, certainly cannot take the Indian Vote for granted. Republicans
have made great inroads into Indian Country and Senator McCain has carried
a lot of water for Indian Country for decades in the Senate. For the
Democratic nominee to think that tribal members will automatically vote for
him or her would be a grave misstep,” Free said.

Free had intended to remain neutral until all the primaries and caucuses
were over in June. But, she has just recently endorsed Obama. See related
article.

The New Mexico Democratic Party recently selected their Add-On
Superdelegates that each state received. The state party chair according to
their state party rules selected Laurie Weahkee, a Zuni and Cochiti Pueblo
and half Navajo. She currently announced she was uncommitted and plans on
remaining that way.

LaMere came to his decision after much thought and contemplation. He told
the Native American Times he remembers President Bill Clinton came to South
Dakota. LaMere said he held out such hope that the visit to Pine Ridge
would change the lives of South Dakota and America’s poorest citizens.
While Campbell has mentioned her previous support for Obama, she also
remembers the work of President Bill Clinton on Indian issues.

“Indian people prospered more under his administration than any other,”
said Campbell. LaMere has a different take on the 1999 visit by Clinton. He
said nothing has changed in 9 years. He said Indian people need to get
behind a candidate who will get behind them and work to make real changes.