[Edited for a typo and grammar error that annoyed me.]
Full Disclosure: I blog at America for Richardson and am an active Bill Richardson supporter. And just because some of the naysayers will ask in the comments, in doing some family history research, at least one of my ancestors was Cherokee.
While the focus in these candidate diaries tends to be on Iraq, health care, energy, education or the environment, tomorrow three of the Democratic candidates will take their campaigns to Indian Country for a first-ever debate.
No, it isn't the so-called frontrunners who are headed to Prez on the Rez in Cabazon, California. Only Bill Richardson, Mike Gravel and Dennis Kucinich care enough about Native American issues to attend this debate. You will likely hear about scheduling conflicts or too many debates from those who can't attend, but the fact is that this event has been planned for months and only Richardson, Gravel and Kucinich have shown the respect necessary to win the Indian vote. And of the three, Bill Richardson has the strongest record on issues that matter most to Native Americans.
So what is Prez on the Rez?
The forum, called Prez on the Rez, is an unprecedented event that will gather Democratic presidential candidates to discuss with tribal leaders across the United States the challenges and opportunities facing Indian Country today.
"No major presidential campaign event has ever come to Indian Country," said Morongo Tribal Chairman Robert Martin. "This represents a historic opportunity for this country's First Americans to take a direct role in the future of America by holding a national level forum for presidential candidates. We couldn't be more proud to make history for Indian Country by hosting this extraordinary event."
According to INDN's List Education Fund founder and President Kalyn Free, Indian nations around the country sought to host the historic forum, which will be held Thursday, August 23, 2007. Free said that the Morongo Band was chosen because of the caliber of the facilities and resources that the Morongo Tribe can offer; for its accessible location in southern California for both participants and national media; and California's decision to hold its primary in February, 2008.
So why do Native Americans support Bill Richardson?
Here is a sample of Governor Richardson's long record of achievement on behalf of Native Americans from a February 23, 2007 interview with Sonny Skyhawk of Indian Country Today.
Gov. Bill Richardson: Since the beginning, since I was a congressman, [the] Secretary of Energy, United Nations ambassador, I felt that our Native American people have not gotten the priority attention they deserve, so I've made them partners.
I've treated them not just with respect, but I've also used deeds. When I was in Congress, we passed a lot of legislation [that involved] returning lands to the Pueblos, respecting religious beliefs, Indian religious rights, national parks, [and] joint efforts between the Pueblos and the federal government. When I was [the] Secretary of Energy, we returned millions of acres to the Utes in Utah for energy development, and then at the United Nations I very proudly presided over a conference on Native peoples from around the world. [...]
As governor, I've had two cabinet members [who were] Native Americans; I've elevated the Indian affairs to cabinet level - it never used to be cabinet-level. I've appointed Native Americans to not just jobs in the administration, but commissions that deal with water and infrastructure.
[...]
I've never felt that it is a matter of just trying to get votes or feeling good, but that the Native American people are real partners; and if you want to resolve problems in New Mexico involving land, water or energy, you got to have the Native people with you.
In my limited experience working in government with Native Americans, I've learned that respect on a government to government level can get you a long way. Bill Richardson understands this and views Native American leaders in his state as partners.
As Energy Secretary in 2000, Bill Richardson required the department to consult with tribes with regard to actions that would affect them, respecting their sovereignty.
After he was elected in 2002, Governor Richardson moved quickly to include Native Americans in New Mexican government.
He named Sandia Gov. Stuwart Paisano to a key spot on his transition team. Paisano, 31, is the youngest tribal governor in New Mexico. A former sheriff’s deputy, Paisano is affable, media-savvy and describes himself as "aggressive" in pursuing tough tribal issues. His task in the transition was to locate a pool of Native American applicants for Richardson’s political appointments. The new governor acted swiftly, naming 12 tribal members to high-level jobs and another 19 to various boards and commissions.
[...]
Gov. Richardson also met early on with the 19 pueblo governors. Richardson and the governors signed a document that recognizes tribal sovereignty and outlines procedures to iron out differences.
This 2003 quote from Governor Denny Gutierrez of the Pueblo of Santa Clara shows that Governor Richardson has fostered mutual respect with tribes in New Mexico.
"The Supreme Court needs to hear from those states like New Mexico, that have established many constructive, positive relationships with the tribes within their borders by means of intergovernmental agreements, in the areas of law enforcement, assessment and collection of taxes, and others," said Santa Clara Pueblo Governor Denny Gutierrez. "I am very gratified that New Mexico has taken the lead among the states in undertaking this unprecedented filing, and I congratulate Attorney General Madrid and Governor Richardson. And I am confident that this gesture will not only be highly persuasive to the Court, but also will greatly improve state-tribal relations in New Mexico for some time to come, as it demonstrates that New Mexico really takes its relationships with the tribes seriously."
In 2004, Governor Richardson demonstrated leadership by establishing the New Mexico Department of Indian Affairs, the first cabinet level state agency on Native American affairs in the nation. Bill Richardson has said he will do the same on the federal level as President.
Governor Richardson also broke with tradition in 2006, when he was sworn into office by Governor Joe Garcia of Ohkay Owingeh, and chairman of the National Congress of American Indians, instead of a justice of the Supreme Court.
When it comes to the Native American vote, Bill Richardson doesn't need to pander or make promises or grand gestures to gain support. Richardson has support because he has shown his respect for tribal government and made a good faith effort, that is too often lacking, by American governments to work with tribal governments.