News » Candidates hear from Tribes

Tribal leaders from several northwest Tribes recently had the opportunity to share Indian Country issues with potential congressmen on September 22, 2006. The three candidates attending the day-long meeting included Peter Goldmark-5th district candidate for Congress, Richard Wright-4th district candidate for Congress and Larry Grant-1st district candidate for Idaho Congress.

Tribal leaders shared first-hand experiences and concerns ranging from Indian health services, trust reform to Columbia River issues. The Spokane Tribe, Colville Tribe, Yakama Nation, Shoshone Bannock and Shoshone Piaute were all represented at the roundtable discussion. Also joining in the discussions were representatives from the American Indian Community Center and the Native Project.

Several leaders commented on the lack of visits from elected officials to our Reservations. Sometimes a candidate will stop by a reservation in his or her district during a campaign. Elected officials occasionally will visit an individual reservation after they’ve been elected, or individual Tribes go to Washington, D.C. throughout the year. Tribal leaders reminded the potential congressmen that Indian Country issues are faced each day by Tribal Councils and the memberships. Leaders asked the candidates to remember the issues discussed at this gathering and to remember the Indian people that are affected by each of these important issues.

All three candidates will know their political fate later this Fall from voters at the polls.