Kerry speaks to NCAI, Lays out Indian agenda

[Feanorcurufinwe]

Democratic Presidential candidate John Kerry laid out an ambitious plan Monday regarding Native American issues. Speaking to the annual convention of the National Congress of American Indians, the Massachusetts senator said he would strengthen the “government-to-government relationship between the federal government and the tribes.” He also criticized the track record of President Bush.

“As President, I will work with you to create an unprecedented partnership with tribal governments to improve the lives of Native Americans all over America. That has been far from the case with George W. Bush. He has forgotten, abolished, turned back on the good work that President Clinton did to bring justice to Native Americans and I will turn that around,” said Kerry. “There are many success stories in Indian Country and I want to work with you all as President so that we can hear about more of these successes.”

Addressing the sensitive issue of tribal sovereignty, Kerry encouraged a stronger working relationship between state and tribal governments.

“I recognize that with the vast expanses of lands that Native Americans control and manage and which often lie on this country’s borders, tribes need to be a partner in protecting this country and be an active participant in our efforts to improve homeland security,” said Kerry. “That is why today I am announcing that as President, I will work to ensure that tribal governments take their place alongside state and local governments to protect the security of America.”
http://www.nativetimes.com/index.asp?action=displayarticle&article_id=3279

[NewYorkerfromMass]

1. Cool.

I see the Dean camp competing here too. I guess they'll have to settle it at the video arcade like real men. :)

[mitchum]

2. kick

[mitchum]

3. kick

[Feanorcurufinwe]

4. John Kerry Speech to the National Congress of the American Indians

November 18, 2003


Thank you for this opportunity to pay my respect to all the tribal leaders there, to the members of the NCAI, to Jackie Johnson your great Executive Director and to all the other officials there.

In 1883 - one hundred twenty years ago - Chief Sitting Bull went before members of the United States Senate and asked them to hear his plea. He said, “I sit here and look around me now, and I see my people starving.” And as has been the case far too often - that plea was ignored. As President, I will be determined to ensuring that Native Americans have the strongest advocate they have ever had in the Oval Office.

That has been far from the case with George W. Bush. He has forgotten, abolished, turned back on the good work that President Clinton did to bring justice to Native Americans - and I will turn that around.

I'm running for President because, at every turn, George Bush has given the hardest working Americans a Raw Deal. He's favored tax cuts for the wealthy and special favors for the special interests over what's fair for working Americans. He's buckled to lobbyists and the powerful instead of standing up for everyday Americans. This Administration's motto really should be “no special interest left behind.”

And as has been far too often the case, Native Americans are paying the highest price. In every case, when the federal government provides services to its citizens, Native Americans get the short end of the stick. The life expectancy for Native Americans is 17 years shorter than it is for other Americans - in large part because of the poor health care being provided by a seriously underfunded Indian Health Service. Fifty-seven percent of Native America fourth graders are reading at levels below the minimum basic achievement levels. States spend $4,000 to $5,000 per mile for road maintenance annually on average, but the federal government spends only $500 per mile for roads in Indian Country.

I'm not going to spend my entire time with you today reciting dismal statistics. You already know that things are bad. We're here to talk about how to make things better. But I do believe past is prologue. That's why I am proud of my record in the Senate on behalf of Native Americans and others in our society who have never gotten a fair shake. And I will do everything I can as President to build on that record.

Even though there are not very many Native Americans in Massachusetts, I have spent my time and energy on issues of concern to you because it is the right thing to do. I've helped the Nipmuk tribes of New England to achieve the recognition they need to qualify for federal benefits. I've co-sponsored the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. Legislation giving tribes the authority to issue school improvement bonds. Legislation giving Native American children dental care under Medicaid and the CHIP program. And the Native American Small Business Development Act.

And I look forward to the work we can do together if I am elected President of the United States. We need to strengthen the government-to-government relationship between the federal government and the tribes.

I will increase funding for the Indian Health Service. In the last two years, I've seen the health care system up close and personal. I've lost both my parents and had an operation myself. I got the care I needed because you pay for great health care for Senators and Congressmen. As President, I'm going to give every family that health care because your family's health is just as important as any politician's in Washington.

I will build roads and more housing in tribal communities - forty percent of homes in tribal communities are overcrowded and need repairs and we need a President who gets to work on this.

I will stimulate economic development and increase loans to Native-owned businesses from the Small Business Administration. In 1997, there were almost 200,000 Native-owned businesses but with unemployment sky-high we have a long way to go.

I will repair and build new BIA schools and make sure they get the resources they need so our children can learn.

And I will only appoint judges and justices to our bench who have a broad view of fairness and what's right. We're witnessing a series of court cases that erode basic rights. This is part of a larger pattern of court cases in recent years eroding the rights of lots of people - African Americans, women, those who care about our environment - and it has to stop. We need a president next year who is committed not to nominating right-wing ideologues to the federal bench, but who is committed to nominating competent, patriotic Americans who will enforce our laws - and our treaties. That's the kind of president I will be: the kind of president who will honor this nation's moral and financial debts to Native Americans.

Throughout history, the Native American community has demonstrated that it shared a belief and commitment to public service. That's why the percentage of Native Americans serving in our Armed Forces has been higher than the percentage of any other group in our society, from the Code Talkers of World War II right down to Private Lori Piestawa, who was killed serving her country earlier this year in Iraq.

Perhaps the greatest contribu­tion that Native American culture has made to America is the world-view that we must have a sense of stewardship of our air, water, and land. We are temporary occupiers of the land, really just passing through, and it is our sacred duty to leave it to the next generation in as good a shape as we found it.

That is a vision which I hope all of us who share and love this blessed and beautiful land can embrace. And if I am President, it is a vision with which will march forward together - linked hand-in-hand.

http://www.johnkerry.com/pressroom/speeches/spc_2003_1118b.html