NPR: Activist Warns Indian Vote Could Go to McCain

Activist Warns Indian Vote Could Go to McCain

Kayln Free, an American Indian activist and a superdelegate to the Democratic National Convention, has a warning for Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton. They had better start paying attention to Indian issues, or they'll find that Sen. John McCain will pick up a lot of support that normally goes to the Democrats.

Free is president of the Tulsa-based INDN List and the INDN Education Fund. INDN stands for Indigenous Democratic Network. Her organization has been active in electing Indian candidates to office.

The Associated Press reports that Free is "still a little peeved over the failure of either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama to attend the INDN-sponsored presidential forum, known as the "Prez on the Rez," in California last August."

"I'm not going to hold a grudge, but I think it was a misstep and a slap in the face" to Indian tribes, Free said. "Unfortunately, Sen. Obama did not step up to the plate, either."

Free said McCain -- who is a member of the Senate's Indian Affairs Committee -- is regarded with respect by many Indians.

"Sen. McCain has a record with Indian country. He has carried a lot of water for tribes over the years. I think it is a grave mistake for the Democratic nominee or these two candidates to think that Indian Country will be there for them just because they are the Democratic nominee."

The AP asked Free is she has made up her mind about who to vote for yet. she said no, but wants to hear "more from the candidates about who is 'the most protective of tribal sovereignty and most respectful of Indian Country.' "

7:12 PM ET | 04-24-2008 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

McCain may have been more helpful than the average politician toward Native Americans, but what has been his stance toward the rights of and correction of U.S. abuses dealt upon Hawaiians and their land?

Sent by Moki | 9:56 PM ET | 04-24-2008

This "American Indian Activist" IS out of touch with her people and politics. THIS American Indian Activist!!! is happy to remind everyone that Barrack Obama has been courting the American Indian voters. Offering new and fresh ideas. Hillary Clinton and John McCain offer no new ideas other than the status quo. I would like to Re-mind Everyone John McCain was on the senate commiyee on Indian affairs, a commitee that allowed Indian health care policy to lapse.

Sent by Sal White Horse Assiniboine/Sioux | 10:20 PM ET | 04-24-2008

Unfortunately Ms. Free shows that for Native people like myself there are no real choices. Sen. McCain who has spent the last few years undermining us after years of supporting us. Sen. Clinton, who has done nothing notewrthy,and even worked against tribes in New York. Finally Sen. Obama who has said nothing to my knowledge about the Freedmen issue in OK and attempts by the congressional black caucus along with other supposed liberals like Barney Frank to punish all Native people by not re-authorizing the Native American Housing and Self-Determination Act.

Funny how Israel can spy on the US, misuse foreign aid, and even sell sensitive material to potential adveraries of the US and never be held to account. But all 500 odd federally recognized tribes are punished for the actions of one. Wish we had the same clout and influence as that other minority group in America

Sent by Vince | 7:49 AM ET | 04-25-2008

As John McCain travels the country talking to the less fortunate, Barack Obama travels to San Francisco to talk to millionaires about how the poor rubes in rural america need their particular style of government so that they don't have to be burdened with clinging to those nasty guns and that awful religion stuff.

Sent by deek | 10:33 AM ET | 04-25-2008

Kalyn Free as Well as NPR were offered, beseached and practically begged in early December to meet with likely Green Party U.S. nominee Cynthia McKinney who Not only speaks on many issues dealing with the Indian Nations but also is building inroads with Restoration and right of Return group from the Gulf Region which is being forcibly gentrified. Something which Oklahoma indians know a bit about.
Both refused. To be fair, i'm not a professional promoter. I'm a grassroots green in support of Cynthia's run.
google runcynthiarun and you'll see her backbone and the emergence and revolutionary politics of the green party.

Sent by joni LeViness | 6:38 PM ET | 04-26-2008

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