This poor indian....

[Iktomiwicasa]

....has never donated to a Presidential candidate before. In a good year, I earn somewhere around $11,000.00, usually less. Today, however, I gave a $20.00 donation to the Obama campaign. I am not holding my breath that any American politician can really address the needs of my people, and I'm not talking about throwing a monetary bone as is usual for the democrats, I'm talking issues of tribal sovereignty and treaty restoration. But one thing I know, never again will I trust a Clinton after Bill threw Leonard Peltier under the bus and refused clemency. He refused to do the right thing for political reasons, keeping an innocent man in prison, and he and all his clan will be forever unwelcome on my land. Barack Obama offers the better choice for native people.

GOBAMA!!!

[TexasObserver]

1. thank you for your

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

2. That was extremely disappointing

I remember the FBI marching with holstered guns in Washington to try to influence Clinton. I was absolutely shattered that Clinton pardoned some of the people he pardoned but did nothing for Leonard Peltier who I think got a bumb rap.

[Iktomiwicasa]

8. More than just a bum rap.

Take the time to read "In the Spirit of Crazy Horse" by Peter Matthieson.

[truedelphi]

3. Leonard shows all of us what true leadership is like.

I have been reading and re-reading "Bury My Hart at Wounded Knee" lately.

It is such a true book.

[Iktomiwicasa]

6. Real leadership

means doing the right thing even in the face of opposition. Clinton didn't have that courage.

[Barack_America]

4. Thanks for sharing your story...

...and GOBAMA!

[newmajority]

5. I'll never understand why Clinton refused to pardon Leonard Peltier

and instead chose to pardon a treasonous piece of shit like Marc Rich.

[Iktomiwicasa]

7. Actually

I understand perfectly well why Clinton didn't pardon Peltier. I've understood it since day one of my life. The fact is, indians are disposable tools at the hands of crooked politicians, and pardoning Peltier would have interfered with Bill's political power.

[gateley]

9. Is there anything we can do to help you?

I'm assuming we'll have to wait until we get a Dem in the WH, maybe some more in the Senate and Congress, but if our new leader is being honest about healing America, how could s/he not take care of you?

Thank you for your post - we have to bring your stories to the forefront. I'd be honored to help in any way I can.

:hug:

[Iktomiwicasa]

11. First off

"how could s/he not take care of you?" is a bit insulting, even if well intentioned. We are not children that need to be taken care of by the Government, we have taken care of ourselves for many thousands of years. What we want is the means to care for ourselves, and govern ourselves, returned to us. More than anything we need to have some of our land base returned to us as per treaty agreements so that we as indian people can be economically viable. With that land base should come full recognition of our nations as fully sovereign, and not in any way subject to U.S. government control. Your political system is not the way of my people, and is not capable of governing us in a manner that doesn't conflict with our traditional values.

Put the feet of your politicians to the fire, and INSIST that they do the right thing.

[gateley]

19. Yeah, I can see how it came across that way, but not intentional.

I often speak from my feelings without thinking how it may come across before I open my mouth.

I'm aware that treaties have been violated and ignored, and by "taking care of you" I guess I mean "do the right thing" and honor our agreements with you.

"Holding politicians feet to the fire and insisting" hasn't yielded many satisfying results. But I keep plugging away.

All I wanted to convey is that I will support your cause in any way I can. Sorry if I was insensitive.

[NightWatcher]

10. I'm with you on this one, Spider Man. The way Clinton handled Leonard burned me too

I have sent a few letters to Obama about Leonard to see if I could get him to pledge to release him as soon as he takes office. Obama clams to have a big interest in 'first american' issues. I guess we'll see.

Mitakuye Oyasin

[Iktomiwicasa]

12. Yes, it remains to be seen.

[Bobbieo]

13. It is very unlikely that Bush will pardon Leonard - so it my memory is correct

it will be 2017 before Leonard is up for parole again and that is a cryng shame.

[NightWatcher]

15. the next pres could/should pardon him on day one. I'd like to hear that question asked of them both

[Iktomiwicasa]

26. Actually

He is up for parole again in Dec 2008.

[Straight Shooter]

14. I wholeheartedly agree the Leonard Peltier situation is cruel and inhumane.

I do not know what Hillary's position on it is. I will not blame her for Bill's actions until I can find more information.

I live in Nez Perce country. The issues of Native Americans are of great importance to me. Our community of activists spent years fighting a wealthy landowner who planned an upscale development on Nez Perce sacred land. We finally won this past summer. The state bought the acreage and it will remain undeveloped.

The spirit of that land feels so much more peaceful and serene than while the fighting over it was taking place.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

16. Another major problem of the Clinton Administration towards Native Americans

is the lawsuit filed on behalf of 250 tribes in 1996 for restitution of money owed to them. It's estimated that the U.S. government owes over $100 billion to Native Americans for mishandling and misappropriation of trust accounts regarding their lands over a span of decades. Large amounts of money from the lease of Native American lands given to Native Americans under the Dawes act to timber, mining, and cattle companies was never paid. Other large amounts of money simply disappeared with no accounting from the trust account.

The Clinton Administration fought this lawsuit tooth and nail, even getting into comtempt of court for shoddy and inaccurate record-keeping and simple obstructionism. In 1999, Judge Royce Lamberth held Clinton Administration officials (especially Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt and Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin) in contempt of court for stonewalling, destruction of documents, racism, and misrepresentations before the court. Yes, destruction of documents. Sound familiar? The Clinton Administration hired Arthur Anderson of Enron fame (yes, THE Arthur Anderson) and asked the Native Americans to accept their accounting, which they did not.

Native Americans are still waiting on restitution.

[NightWatcher]

18. Also, Obama is against dumping nuclear waste in Yucca Mountain

I dont know where Hillary stands, but if you put that waste in Yucca, you are putting it in the backyards of many native peoples.

[goodgd_yall]

23. She's voted against using Yucca Mountain being used as a nuclear waste dump

[moondust]

17. Good choice.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

20. Kick for an important thread

[arewenotdemo]

21. Thanx and GObama!

[Iktomiwicasa]

22. kick

[BeyondGeography]

24. He'll do right by Native Americans

I think he has learned a lot from Daschle, with whom he is very close; he certainly speaks with some authority and feeling for the problems facing Native Americans for someone who comes from a state with no recognized tribes.

Here's a sample:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aE0DwFo2G9A

[Iktomiwicasa]

25. While I agree...

...that his words to native people sound better and more hopeful than any candidate I have heard in my 46 year lifetime, the sad truth is that we have heard many things from Americans and not one of them have borne fruit. He will have to prove his words by actually doing what he says he will do, but I intend to give him the chance by voting for him.

[Jed Dilligan]

27. Your people will rise again

Our system is already breaking. This time maybe you should just leave us to die instead of teaching us to live on this land again. I wouldn't blame you.