Prez on the Rez forum today, only Richardson, Kucinich, and Gravel attend.

[seasat]

Unfortunately, due to conflict between a union and the Indian casino, all the other candidates suddenly had "scheduling" conflicts. Richardson was the first to commit. Native American issues have always been a priority for him throughout his career.

Indian Country wrote:

'Big Three' can learn much from Richardson

Whether these candidates believe tribal sovereignty is good for Americans is another matter altogether. As they begin to develop Indian policy proposals, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson's strong record on government-to-government relations with tribal nations stands as a beacon. Shortly after declaring his candidacy, Richardson told Indian Country Today that if elected president, he would install a cabinet-level secretary of Indian Affairs. Given his record, this is less lip service than intention. In 2005 he appointed Jemez Pueblo native Benny Shendo Jr. as New Mexico's first secretary of Indian Affairs. It is the only state in the country that has a cabinet secretary and a department of Indian Affairs. Spoken commitment followed by action is the key to winning the increasingly critical Native vote.

Richardson is taking a risk by attendance. The union in conflict with the Indian Casino is associated with the important Nevada Culinary Union. With Richardson moving up in Nevada, it may have been a better political decision to forgo the forum. However, it would go against a group that he has stood for throughout his political career and I have to admire his principles in attending.

Here's a link to the announcement. It's at 2:30 pm. Does anyone know if it will be web cast? The official website made no mention of it. I'd like to see if Richardson's last debate improvement was a one time event.

[seasat]

1. For anyone interested, a video should be available soon.

The streaming video had some problems but they recorded it an promised to make it available soon.

The San Benardino Sun covered the forum.

Richardson pledged to create a cabinet-level post for Indian affairs.

He also said he would try to come to a settlement in the ongoing Trust Fund issue of American Indian money still being held by the federal government.

That pledge was one echoed by the other two candidates, who made it clear that they sided with their hosts on the issue.

Richardson spoke of fully funding health care for American Indians as part of a universal health care system. He added that he would make the Indian Health Services post an under-secretary position in his administration, to ensure that health-care issues for American Indians would be voiced.

[goodgd_yall]

2. Thanks for this post

I had forgotten about this. It's understandable that the other candidates did not attend since they want to show their support for unions.

I'll be checking into the website for either a webcast, or transcript.

[LWolf]

3. I read the article in the Sun yesterday.

It's interesting to note that the "top" candidates don't feel it necessary to meet with this less powerful, more disenfranchised segment of the population.

So democratic of them.

[janx]

5. True, especially since this is the very first

event of its kind.

[Desertrose]

6. I agree LWolf....

*democratic* indeed.

[janx]

4. kick