President of the Navajo Nation & other tribal leaders endorse Obama

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That's what I just heard on the local radio.

know1

Why did they endorse him?

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know1 wrote:

Why did they endorse him?

http://election.kob.com/article/stories/S587168.shtml
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - The All Indian Pueblo Council, the Mescalero Apache Tribe and the leader of the Navajo Nation have thrown their support behind Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.

Obama's campaign says the endorsements represent a majority of New Mexico's Indian leadership. The council represents 19 pueblos, and the Navajo Nation spans parts of New Mexico, Arizona and Utah. Navajo President Joe Shirley Jr. says Indian Country has lived with federal policies for the last eight years that have eroded tribal culture and language.

He says it's time for the federal government to honor its obligations to its native people. Obama, in a statement issued Friday, said tribes face a special set of challenges and he looks forward to working will all tribal leaders.

http://www.arizonanativenet.com/news/captcha/newsInfo.cfm?page=news&news_item=1962
...“For eight years, we have lived with Federal policies that erode our culture and language and, therefore, attack our very identity as Native people,” said President Shirley.

“For eight years, we have watched our nation's riches poured into the sands of the Middle East in an ill-advised war, and now, because of poor regulation over the last eight years, we see tens of billions more spent to save our financial institutions,” said President Shirley as he repudiated the administration for its record on Indian legislation and appropriations.

“It is time for change: a real change! It is time for the United States of America to truly honor its obligations to its Native peoples,” continued President Shirley....

“Barack Obama understands the uniqueness of Native nations and Native peoples,” said President Shirley. “Barack Obama understands the importance of upholding tribal sovereignty. Barack Obama understands that the federal government must live up to its trust and treaty obligations, including providing the tools that will enable us to help ourselves in developing our economies and lifting up our peoples.”

“That is why I come before you today in support of Barack Obama to be the next president of the United States,” exclaimed President Shirley amid a room full of cheers and shouts in support of Obama for President.

“I ask you all to join me in turning out the Native vote for Barack Obama this November. Let's together fight for the health and wellbeing of our people,” said President Shirley as he concluded his remarks.

http://www.soychicano.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1031656#post1031656
"We have an interest in economic development and I feel the federal government can assist the Navajo Nation in its efforts," [Shirley] said. "I emphasized the need to work with the Navajo Nation on issues important to the Navajo people, such as significantly increasing funding for multi-use court and law enforcement facilities."...

While not noted in any of the recent press releases on the endorsement, the addition of VP Republican candidate Sarah Palin, who has attempted to abrogate tribal subsistence and resources rights as Governor of Alaska, may have made a difference in the perspective Indian Country had of the McCain candidacy.

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jeffbr

At least he's honest. He's endorsing Obama because it will mean a bigger check.