Wampum

Unlike most of the blogosphere in 2003, we were not enamored by the presidential campaign of Gov. Howard Dean. Dean had a long history of controversial treatment of the native peoples of Vermont, and it colored our view of how he would act in the Oval Office. However, during his campaign, he did appear to begin significant outreach to some tribes, though mainly "real" Indians in Western States (you know, versus us fake Indians east of the Mississippi.) Because of his all around effort in growing the grassroots, we did support his election as Chairman of the DNC and feel, despite the mess in Florida and Michigan (which both have significant NDN populations) he's done a good job.

Today in High Country News is an article which illustrates just how much Dean has reached out in his tenure as DNC chair:

"In the past, Native American voters have been ignored, or thought of in the last minute," says Laura Harris of the Comanche Tribe. "What (Democratic National Committee Chairman) Howard Dean has done is incorporate us into the process, not just for our vote, but for our participation and economic support, too. It's an exciting time to be a Native American and take our place in the political process of the U.S."

Harris, who serves as the executive director of the nonprofit Americans for Indian Opportunity, is one of an "unprecedented" six Native Americans appointed to the Democratic National Convention's standing committees. She's just one example of how the Democratic Party is recognizing Native American issues and courting Indian voters.

When Dean took his seat as chairman of the Democratic Party in February 2005, he initiated the party's "50 State Plan," in order to "not write off voters who we didn’' expect to win, and not take for granted voters we thought we already had," according to Democratic National Committee spokesman Damien LaVera.

The national party is working with state parties to hire full-time staff to reach out at a state level, rather than engaging only voters in key demographics or during election years. Every state, says LaVera, now has at least three full-time party employees. And four states -- Arizona, Oklahoma, Alaska and New Mexico -- have full-time Native American party organizers.

The 50 State Plan also encourages American Indians to seek office. "The Democratic Party has always said everyone deserves a place at the table," says La Vera. "But Chairman Dean said that wasn't enough. He said Native Americans needed a place on the ballots."

The plan is working, he adds, noting that in 2006, a record 64 Native Americans were elected to state legislatures in 14 different states.

Dean has also put the DNC's money to work in Indian Country, depositing two million into the Native American Bank in Denver, money that will be used to economically develop Indian communites throughout the US.

Kudos to the Chair. Now work on getting those delegations seated so that McCain doesn't appoint the next Interior Secretary.