Campaign Camp - Prez on the Rez

Kalyn Free, Frank LaMere, Governor Howard Dean and Morongo Chairman Robert Martin

Well, the BIG DAY is finally here, after over a year of hard work, long hours and meticulous planning - Prez on the Rez became a reality. In spite of the fact that only three of the Democratic presidential candidates decided to participate in this truly historic event, the forum was magnificent. All thanks and many kudos go to Kalyn Free, the inspiration, brains and boundless energy behind this wonderful event. Without Kalyn's extraordinaery vision - to not only found INDN's List, but also to imagine a forum in which Native people would have an opportunity to ask presidential candidates about issues that matter to them most, this day would not have become a reality. All I can say is that the candidates who did not attend this amazing meeting of tribal leaders and tribal members are the only losers today. First, I must congratulate the candidates who did have the courage and foresight to come to Prez on the Rez - they were Governor Bill Richardson, Congressman Dennis Kucinich and former Senator Mike Gravel. Native people learned much more about the positions of these three candidates and how a potential administration led by any of these three candidates might impact Indian Country.

The day started off with a bang as I was up early staffing the registration table where tribal leader after tribal leader stopped and signed in, received a nametag, and an agenda for the day. After most of the tribal leaders had registered, we were served another delicious and beautifully prepared meal and had the great pleasure of listening to Laura Flanders, author of Blue Grit (see the review of this fantastic book in this blog - posted on May 26, 2007). I had the honor of sitting next to Ms. Flanders and visiting with her while she signed copies of her book. This incredible event was followed by a meeting with the Democratic National Committee Chair person, Governor Dr. Howard Dean. During this meeting with the Campaign Camp attendees DNC Chair Dean inspired the campers to stay involved in politics when they leave Morongo and get involved in the Democratic Party. He then graciously stayed around to speak with Campaign Camp attendees individually and in small groups and posed for numerous photos with candidates, future candidates and staffers.


Faye & Laura Flanders, POTR, August 23, 2007

This all happened before Prez on the Rez even began. After being energized by the meeting with Governor Dean, we all went back into the main ballroom where Kalyn Free, Frank LaMere and Mark Trahant all took turns thanking our generous hosts - the Morongo Band of Mission Indians for allowing us to hold this historic meeting at their lovely facility. Then is was time for the candidates to make their appearances: first was Governor Richardson who reminded the audience of his long record of support for Native people and issues that matter to them, next was Congressman Kucinich (who I must say seemed to suffer from having watched "Dances with Wolves" one too many times) who basically explained his plan for bringing health care and a Department of Peace to a country that is sorely in need of both universal health coverage and a much saner foreign policy, finally Mike Gravel pounded home his message of wisdom that comes with age (although, he seemed ignorant of the Cobell litigation which has been an ongoing issue in Indian Country since 1996 - Mr. Gravel appears to be in need of a good researcher).

Faye, DNC Chair Howard Dean & Robert Holden

These are just my initial impressions of a day that I believe I will never forget. Now that dinner is over and I am getting ready to hit the sack, I must remark on the amazing Governor Howard Dean who was the keynote speaker tonight. His theme, "that Native people must no longer be content with a seat at the table, but rather must aim higher, for a place on the ticket," resonanted strongly with the audience. He spoke about the fifty-state strategy that most Democrats have credited with the success of Democratic candidates in 2006. He talked about the need to bring the values of the Democratic Party, namely that each and every person is equal under the law, to the forefront of our fight to take this country back from the Republicans who apparently believe that some people are more equal than others. He spoke eloquently and powerfully to a crowd eager for a message that reinforces themes of equality, justice, and true American values, which not coincidently are the same values that are important in Native communities. Wow, what an amazing day!

Campaign Camp - Day Three

Mary Kim Titla & Patsy Cohoe - August 22, 2007

Well, the fun just keeps on coming here at Morongo... Today I picked up Scott Bighorse, Don Barlow, and my new next favorite candidate Mary Kim Titla (San Carlos Apache) who is running for the District One Congressional seat in Arizona (the seat currently held by Rick Renzi), at the Ontario Airport. I picked them all up and brought them all back to Campaign Camp at Morongo Resort, Casino and Spa. Mary Kim is a bright, attractive mother of three sons. She has a Master's Degree in Journalism from Arizona State University and 20 years of experience in TV news. She has a history and passion for working with Native youth and cares deeply about children and families across the country. She is a shining example of the kind of candidate that comes out of Indian country, and her presence in the Arizona Congressional race is a welcome addition to the political arena. I am seriously considering relocating to Arizona to help her work on her campaign - vamos a ver (we'll see...).

Aside from the drive to Ontario, the highlights of Day Three of Camapign Camp include having lunch with Mary Kim Titla, finally meeting Rebekah Baker on "Phones and Drum." Rebekah is the Associate Producer of the Stephanie Miller Show. I was grateful that she took the time to drive over to Morongo through hellish LA traffic to attend last night's dinner honoring Congressman Mike Honda. Kalyn Free presented Representative Honda with a Warrior Award after his wonderful talk in which he discussed the need to increase minority representation in Washington D.C. Last night was capped off by sharing a bottle of campagne with Rebekah. Then it was off to dream-landia where Natives rule the world =)


Faye & Representative Mike Honda (D - CA)

Campaign Camp - Day Two

Kalyn Free & Chairman Martin (Morongo Band of Mission Indians)

I'm dead dog tired at the moment, but I can't go to sleep before I try to put into words, no matter how feeble or inadequate, the sense I've gained from another amazing day here at INDN's List Campaign Camp. The highlights of today continued the theme that started off the camp yesterday - reminders of why we all are here. After lunch today, Edward Iron Cloud III shared a short film that presented very moving images of Oglala Lakota and their relationship and regard for the buffalo that once covered the plains and now are tended by Lakota tribal members. After the video was shown, Mr. Iron Cloud, an Oglala Lakota tribal member from Pine Ridge, South Dakota, stood up and spoke with so much passion, eloquence and humor that the audience willingly let him speak on through three "conclusions." He is a natural storyteller, and talked about his love for his people and his hopes for his time here at Campaign Camp. He spoke beautifully about the future of Native people and the need to reclaim traditions and maintain cultural ties and use those traditions to combat problems that were brought to the Lakota by the invasion of the Europeans. He spoke with an urgency that obviously inspired everyone in the room to go out and try to do our very best to promote Native values and support Native people as they increase their political voices.

Frank LaMere, (Winnebago), Democratic National Committee person

The lunch-time talk was outdone only by the after dinner talk that was given by Democratic National Committee person and Winnebago tribal member, Frank LaMere. I felt so very honored and grateful to be able to listen to Mr. LaMere's inspirational words. He spoke from his heart about many "defining moments" in his life - recounting his initial foray into the world of politics, his involvement in protesting the sale of 12,500 cans of beer daily in Whiteclay, Nebraska - a town that borders the dry Pine Ridge Reservation, and the birth of his granddaughter in Oklahoma City. All of these stories were woven into an overarching theme that once again brought all of us in the room back to the reason why we are here - that is to promote, support and increase the political power of Native people, so that their voice is stronger and more influential. The dinner was beautifully prepared and presented and was delicious, too. My eyelids are drooping, so I'll sign off for now, but I am looking forward to tomorrow and another incredible day of listening and learning here at Morongo.


Kalyn & Robert Holden, INDN's List volunteer

Campaign Camp - Day One

Here at the Morongo Casino, Resort and Spa many dedicated Natives are still sitting in their last training session of the day. Eager, I'm sure, to take a break and relax and cogitate over all they've heard and learned today. My day was a mix of attending sessions, running errands, taking photos, and basically running around. I took a break in the middle of the afternoon to write a few postcards (yes, Geo, there is one in the mail to you =). Otherwise, it's been another sun-soaked day here in the land of the Morongos.

The Morongo Casino is situated between Palm Springs and Banning, California on Interstate 10. You can't miss it - it is the only structure over a story or two along the freeway - it stands over 20 stories high with a glaring neon sign in front of the spot. It is one of the most successful casinos operated by a Native nation in the country, and they are certainly treating INDN's List and Campaign Campers well. The food has been plentiful and delicious, the accommodations luxurious, and the atmosphere welcoming. Tonight after a lovely dinner we heard from the Chairman of the Morongo Nation, Robert Martin, who spoke eloquently about the obstacles that Native people have had to struggle to overcome. Here are just a few of the facts that Chairman Martin recounted to an appreciative audience this evening:

1870: 15th Amendment extended the vote to African-Americans. The 15th Amendment did not apply to Native-Americans because they were not considered citizens.

1924: Native-American citizenship. On June 2, 1924, Congress enacted the Indian Citizenship Act, which granted citizenship to all Native Americans born in the U.S. The right to vote, however, was governed by state law; until 1957, some states barred Native Americans from voting.

1948: State laws denying the vote to Native-Americans are overturned. In one of the post-war period's few successful legal challenges, the Federal courts overturned the last state laws (Maine, Arizona, New Mexico) that explicitly prevented Indians from voting. Violence, economic retaliation, and different kinds of legal tricks continued to be used to prevent Native-Americans from voting.

This morning during our opening session a Swinomish woman from Washington state stood up and introduced herself. In the process of telling us about her interest in politics her eyes welled up as she recounted her grandmother telling her that when she finally got the right to vote it was so precious to her that she passed this esteemed value of her new found right onto her granddaughter and that was an important reason why this Swinomish woman was at Campaign Camp today. I think that everyone in the room felt a profound sense of why we are all here and why it is so important to support and promote a strong Native voice in the political arena.

Tomorrow will come up with the sun - let us all make the most of the day that arrives.

On the Road...Again

I woke up this morning in Joshua Tree, California specifically at the Safari Motor Inn. I am a tad bit road weary, but slept pretty well last night. Ready for a full week of Campaign Camp... I'll post more as the week goes on. Want to get out and see the Joshua Trees before I head over to Morongo Band of Mission Indians Casino, Resort and Spa and unload my car full of Campaign Camp stuff. Hope your week is excting and fabulous!!!