Native American delegates on the rise at DNC

LAURIE WEAHKEE FACED SOME POLITICAL DILEMMAS ON HER WAY TO SUPERDELEGATE STATUS.

SOT LAURIE WEAHKEE, NEW MEXICO SUPERDELEGATE: At the time the Clinton folks were really embattled for the overall nomination and so a lot of the folks were speculating that I was an Obama supporter and at that point I really hadn't made up my mind.

WEAHKEE IS COCHITI PUEBLO, ZUNI AND HALF NAVAJO. SHE'S NEW MEXICO'S TWELFTH ADD-ON SUPERDELEGATE AND SHE'S ONE OF JUST FOUR NATIVE AMERICAN SUPERDELEGATES AT THE 2008 DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION.

SOT LAURIE WEAHKEE: I think the overall sentiment is that we need to become more consistent voters and really utilize voting as one tool in the toolbox.

NATIVE AMERICANS ARE MAKING THEIR VOTES COUNT AT THIS CONVENTION. THE NUMBER OF NATIVE AMERICAN DELEGATES HERE AT THE D-N-C IS UP BY 34 SINCE THE LAST CONVENTION FOUR YEARS AGO.
AMERICAN INDIANS STILL MAKE UP LESS THAN 3 PERCENT OF THE DELEGATE POPULATION BUT TRIBAL MEMBERS SAY INCREASED INVOLVEMENT IN LOCAL POLITICS IS SPARKING INTEREST IN THE BIGGER PICTURE.




SOT CINDA HUGES, DNC RULES COMMITTEE MEMBER: I think one of the big reasons that American Indians are coming to the polls in record numbers is due to the fact that Indians themselves are becoming candidates not only in local elections but in state legislatures.

AND ON A NATIONAL LEVEL, NATIVE AMERICANS ARE PART OF A VOTING BLOCK THAT COULD PROVE POWERFUL IN THIS PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

SOT CINDA HUGES: I think that for one thing that this is going to be a very close race. And the closer a race is the more significant swing votes become. And American Indians have been the swing voters in many gubernatorial races and in many state senate races.

SOT LAURIE WEAHKEE: I would say that a key issue is to make sure the candidate who does win understands that we have a unique relationship with the federal government and that we need to keep that in place.

POVERTY AND HEALTH CARE ARE ALSO CENTRAL ISSUES FOR THE NATIVE AMERICAN COMMUNITY AND THE AMERICAN INDIANS AT THIS CONVENTION HOPE A DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENT WILL CATER TO THOSE ISSUES.

SOT CINDA HUGHES: American Indians have the highest percentage of people with disabilities of any demographic groupI am one of only three percent of those who are quadriplegics that even have a job.

NATIVE AMERICANS MAY BE COMING TOGETHER HERE IN DENVER BUT THEY REMAIN DIVIDED IN THEIR OPINIONS OF OBAMA'S COMPETITOR.

SOT CINDA HUGHES: I believe that both candidates have made a significant outreach to Indian country. Senator McCain was on the Senate Chair on Indian Affairs for many years and was a member previous to that for many years.

SOT LAURIE WEAHKEE: I think a lot of the tribes are really upset with how they've been treated these past 8 years and really recognizing that McCain is not offering a whole lot more.

WEAHKEE HOPES MORE NATIVE AMERICANS WILL HEAD TO THE POLLS THIS NOVEMBER.

SOT LAURIE WEAHKEE: If we vote then we help ourselves to create more opportunities for our communities and we do make things better for the generations yet to come, which is a real value of Native American communities.

FOR UPI.COM FROM THE 2008 DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION IN DENVER, COLORADO, I'M MELISSE HINKLE.

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[oilhammer04]

My great grandmother was full blood Choctaw. My Dad, though an Indian, didn't have the attitude you advocate, and he did well for himself and his family. Native Americans need to get some self respect and get off the government dole. The government entitlements are bad for their health. My hat is off to those who have cut themselves loose.

[maratmasry]

He would be president of the United States as a whole and I refuse to believe that he would be looking into other cultures or even trying to help a certain cultural group out in anyway. He would have an entire world, literally, to carry on his shoulder and it would be foolish to think he would be giving "handouts" to anyone.

[n8vprincess84lpw]

i believe that if OUR LEADERS know THEIR PEOPLE are counting on them. then shouldn't the blessings soon come along to all the people who have been waiting because the people who deserve it shall get the gain the prosparity....our leaders know who we are and who helped them get there~

[RumbleHD]

Ok now I understand.

[maratmasry]

He is expected to do what is best for ALL Americans, not just minorities. Many times we have hoped that minorities would be heard for once but have been let down. We shouldn't hold our breaths this time just because he himself is a minority. He at least knows what we are thinking. As to whether or not he would act on those thoughts...we SHOULD leave room for disappointment. The poor man has so many hopes that he is expected to fulfill to the point it is unrealistic. Was i clear this time? :)

[maratmasry]

No not at all! Sorry if you misunderstood me. I was never a McCain supporter to begin with and it was obvious to me from the beginning that Obama understood what he is about and had clear cut plans, something you couldnt say AT ALL about McCain. What I meant was, from the beginning, a lot of minorities have this vision that he would help other minority groups simply coz he himself is one of them. Seeing things this way is simply incorrect.

[maratmasry]

No not at all! Sorry if you misunderstood me. I was never a McCain supporter to begin with and it was obvious to me from the beginning that Obama understood what he is about and had clear cut plans, something you couldnt say AT ALL about McCain. What I meant was, from the beginning, a lot of minorities have this vision that he would help other minority groups simply coz he himself is one of them. Seeing things this way is simply incorrect.

[RumbleHD]

Not to place too much trust in Obama? You sound bitter. So would it be better to put all your trust into McCain if he won?

What is your main message?

[maratmasry]

I love Native Americans so very much (perhaps too much lol)and it is because of that love that I must warn you NOT to place too much hope in Obama, and believe me, this is my advice to all minorities including AND ESPECIALLY black people.

[maratmasry]

Forgive me, I am African American and I in no way would believe for a SECOND that having a Black president would be of betterment to my people other than ... let's say, a slight bit of pride and sense of acheivement after such a history we have had in this country.