The story behind Clark's endorsement from Vermont's Abenaki Nation

[windansea]

Wesley Clark's campaign has done well in recent weeks picking up endorsements from American Indian groups, including support from the Native American Times, the nation's largest independent newspaper focused on issues of concern to American Indians and Alaska natives.

Today, however, Clark's team seemed particularly excited to announce the endorsement of the Abenaki Nation at Missisquoi. It's easy to understand why the campaign is proud to have this one: it's a Vermont-based tribe.

"The Abenaki Nation has endorsed General Clark for President because of his record of leadership and his concern for the key issues facing Native Americans across the country," said Chief Rushlow.

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http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/archives/001076.html

[Name removed]

1. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Feanorcurufinwe]

4. Vermont Native American leader calls Dean's overtures "a joke."

While former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean received an enthusiastic response for his remarks Wednesday before the National Congress of American Indians in Albuquerque, N.M., the leader of Vermont's Native Americans had a far different response.

April St. Francis Rushlow, chief of the Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi, questioned whether the delegates at the national gathering were aware of Dean's record of dealing with the Abenaki. "I think they need to take a look at his record in Vermont before they decide to vote for him on Native American issues," Rushlow said, calling Dean's overtures to them "a joke."

"He didn't do too much for us when he was governor for 11 years," she said. "He denied that we existed, unless it brought money into the state of Vermont."

Dean's disagreements with the Abenaki were well chronicled. He opposed state or federal recognition of the tribe, fearing they would launch land claims or attempt to open a casino if the federal government approved their status as a sovereign Indian nation.

<snip>

"Right now our children cannot apply for scholarships that are earmarked for Native Americans, because we're not state or federally recognized,' she said. "Gov. Dean recognized the cultuSre, but not the people that went with it."

Rushlow said she intended to contact officials at the National Congress to let them know about Dean's record.
http://rutlandherald.nybor.com/News/Story/74859.html

See previous thread: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=108&topic_id=90091

[Maddy McCall]

2. Problem with your source: Author doesn't even know chief is a WOMAN

From your source:

"While I have every confidence that Chief Rushlow is sincere, and his support for Clark's campaign is based on his record, I think there's something more to this."

Earth to author of your source: Cheif April St. Francis-Rushlow is a WOMAN. Your author quotes "Rushlow" and "St-Francis" as if they were two different people in the same article. Your author is really informed on background issues...but he knows nothing about the Abenaki chief.

:eyes:

[sandnsea]

3. Ooops

Somebody's sexism is showing, ya think?

:spank:

[shance]

6. LOL!* The article totally unaware of the Chiefs own GENDER, is now SEXISM?

I have HEARD IT ALL!****

You are priceless!!

[sandnsea]

7. Why assume it's a man????

What else do you call that?

[Clark4VotingRights]

5. I love how much native american support Clark's getting.

Nationwide.