Founder of INDN List, training for Native American candidates, upset candidates won't attend forum.

[madfloridian]

Kalyn Free is the founder of INDN's list. Here is some info about that group.

On October 13-16, 2005 INDN’s List held its first ever INDN Campaign Camp at the beautiful Mystic Lake Casino Hotel in Prior Lake, Minnesota. The campaign camp was graciously hosted by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community.

For four days, candidates and staff were trained by the best and brightest campaign consultants in the country from 21st Century Democrats, EMILY’s List, Wellstone Action and Democracy for America, among others.

The training included sessions on fundraising, targeting, direct mail, message, field organizing, direct mail, canvassing and phone banks, using a voter file, working with tribes, local and state parties, building a political resume and GOTV to name just some of the topics covered.
http://indnslist.org/campaign_camp_2005

Kalyn Free, Founder and President of INDN's List presents a special gift -- a Land of the Free blanket to DNC Chairman, Governor Howard Dean at INDN's List historic first Campaign Camp, a boot camp training for Native Americans seeking to run for office.

She wrote a great letter to the editor this week praising Howard Dean for his work with the Native Americans.

Letter to the editor..Kalyn Free

I founded INDN's List because I believe that we can only begin to solve the problems of Indian Country when we bring American Indians into the political process. In 2006 we supported 26 Indian candidates representing 19 tribes and 12 states, and 20 of those candidates (77%) won election. These newly elected Indian officials are busy building a better future for their districts and for Indian Country in state legislatures and local offices across the country.

That success would never have been possible without the continuing support of Governor Howard Dean, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, and his commitment to building an inclusive Democratic Party that reaches out to every constituency in every state. The marginalization and exclusion of any group from the political process – whether it be American Indians from mainstream politics or Red State residents from the Democratic Party – hurts our people, our Party, our politics, and our country. The DNC's 50 State Strategy implemented by Governor Dean proved in 2006 that Democrats can build strong parties and run electable candidates in states around the country. The strategy is not just smart politics, but it is the right thing to do.

The key to strengthening the Party across the country is to reach out to natural constituencies and potential allies: those people who share the values and aspirations that drive the Democratic Party. American Indians are one such ally. Our commitment to improving education, healthcare, working conditions, and the environment are central to Indian values and cornerstones of the Democratic Party.

Through his continuing support of INDN's List and with his creation of the Native American Outreach Committee, Governor Dean has shown time and again that Democrats are serious about building a better future for Indian Country. Governor Dean shares with me a commitment to a better, more inclusive Democratic Party and a stronger, brighter future for Indian Country, and because of his work at the DNC we will replace hopelessness with opportunity on our reservations and injustice with dignity in our country.

However her appreciation does not carry over the most of the presidential candidates. They are not even returning her calls, which is a shame for all the work she has done.

It appears her forum for the candidates is running into issues not her fault at all...the disputes between labor and casino workers in California. I am 100% for union, but I am also very much impressed with the work Kalyn has done. It seems ignoring her and turning backs on her efforts could backfire.

Presidential debate runs into Calif. Indian casino labor fight

Labor's fight to organize Indian casino workers in California spilled into the presidential campaign Wednesday when a Native American leader accused a union of trying to derail a Democratic forum envisioned for the Morongo Indian Reservation this summer. The event's organizer said the union had pressured candidates to skip the debate because the tribe-owned casinos were strongly opposed to unionization. A union officer denied the accusation.

..."Free said the top candidates had not responded because of pressure by a union, Unite Here, which is trying to organize casino workers at Morongo and elsewhere. The union denies seeking a boycott."

..."Free, a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and a former Justice Department lawyer, is a member of the Democratic National Committee. She has been organizing the forum for a year, with help from the DNC."

.."If the Democrats cannot fit the event into their schedules, Free said, she would invite top Republican candidates — "and they're going to have unfettered access to tribal votes and tribal money."

I would think there would be some way to work this out. It is like she ran into something not her fault. This appears to be, like unions, an important constituency in our party.

There has to be a better solution than just ignoring the efforts of the INDN's List.

Here is the website.

http://indnslist.org/

[Bobbieo]

1. I am sorry to learn this about INDNs List and 'Prez On The Rez' .

Kalyn Free has been sending articles for my Native Unity blog since she formed INDNs list a few years ago. I knew she was upset when Hillary turned down her invitation to appear on "Prez On The Rez."

I figured Hillary was out for the labor vote which she felt was more important than the Native vote. I wish there were a way to compromise here, between unions and the casinos.

Kalyn has put a great deal of work and effort in this venture. I hope she will see a way out and continue working to get out the Native vote. This is one of the projects I have been working on to unify the tribes.

[madfloridian]

2. Looks like they could attend the forum, but not be against labor.

It just doesn't seem right. She has worked so hard on this issue. It is like a slap in the face in a way.

[Bobbieo]

3. I ran a Native Unity article not long ago by a Native actor -

"The American Indian is The Invisible American". He may be right as far as the presidential candidates are concerned and that is a sad commentary on our nation.

[madfloridian]

5. I just read the guy who beat Kalyn is under investigation.

But only this one article about it. I had not heard anything else.

http://newsok.com/article/3073547/?print=1

FBI claims schemes continued
A medical condition that causes excessive fluid to build on his brain prompted several delays of Stipe's sentencing.
However, prosecutors contend that neither his health, nor his age — he's now 80 — nor his sentence slowed Stipe down much.

Court records allege that within months of his sentencing, Stipe orchestrated a similar scheme to put a favored candidate in office.

Dan Boren beat Democratic opponent Kalyn Free in a 2004 congressional primary election, thanks in part to $34,600 the FBI alleges came illegally from Stipe through "straw donors.”

The individual contribution limit was $2,300.

First I had heard about that.

[seasat]

4. Interesting that Bill Richardson was the first to sign up

He's banking on doing well in the early state Nevada since it borders his state, he is well known there, and they have a large Hispanic population. The Culinary Workers Union is the prize endorsement for Nevada since they represent a lot of Democrats and would provide a lot of campaign workers. Richardson choosing the Prez on the Rez over the union means that he risks the union's endorsement but stays true to a group that he has supported his entire career.

He has the best record on Native American issues of any candidate running and possibly any candidate that has ever run for president. While researching the Democratic candidates, I noticed that Bill Richardson,while in congress, overwhelmingly sponsored bills addressing Native American issues over any other issue. They were a large part of his constituency. He continued to support Native Americans as Governor. He even created a cabinet level position on Native American issues and promises to do the same if elected president. It's probably not politically smart to choose the Native Americans over the union, but it is admirable to see a politician stand behind a cause he has championed throughout his career without regard to the politics.

[madfloridian]

6. I guess I was wondering why it had to be one or the other.

Unions OR Native Americans. It just seems like there should be a way to work it for both.

[seasat]

7. Oh. I agree.

Ideally the casinos would open up to the unions and the unions wouldn't project their grudge against the casino on the candidate's debate. The real hat trick would be if one of the candidates mediated the dispute between the casino and union in a way that satisfied both parties. That'd win over both the Native Americans and the Culinary Union. I was just impressed by Richardson's stand since the union endorsement is the bigger political prize over attending the "Prez on the Rez".

[madfloridian]

8. I was impressed by his stance as well.

Hate to see it turn into a contest.

:hi:

[madfloridian]

9. Something I heard on Rachel Maddow made me feel odd about this

She said something about Lance Armstrong having a cancer forum or conference in Iowa. I think I heard that right. Hubby sort of looked funny when she said it so I think we both heard it right. That's great on the surface.

But she mentioned 3 candidates who had already signed up.

I rather understand why Kalyn and the Native Americans she supports with her group...might feel a wee bit irritated at that. So many forums so little time, I understand that.

http://indnslist.org/image