The Prez and the Rez

By Troy Doney, 7-01-08

	Caption: Obama on the Crow Reservation. Photo by April Gregory, RezNet.

When I heard Barack Obama was going to the Crow Reservation last April, I could hardly believe it. A presidential nominee with a damned good shot of winning is also showing up on a reservation? I suspected an impostor, a clone or a convincingly intricate marionette to give a speech at Crow. 

But it was the real deal. He gave a rousing speech, and was even adopted into the Crow tribe (his name is Awe Kooda Bilaxpak Kuuxshish, but I just call him Senator Black Eagle). He made promises, like saying that he’d have Natives on his mind every day that he’s in the oval office and even try to right some of the wrongs done over these many long years. Those are some very big, big promises from Senator Black Eagle.

Even John McCain made promises. His specifically is to create a tribal government position within the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. Why did Indian Country finally become important to the potential Executive Branch? 

I’d love to say that it’s because of long overdue obligation and genuine interest. I try to be optimistic when possible, after all. I suspect that, for the democrats, it might have had more to do with the war of attrition for the nomination between Senators Obama and Clinton. Eligible, undecided voters were starting to thin out and both camps needed just a bit more of a boost. 

I just can’t help but think that this attention, and these promises, will fade like so many others have over the decades. It’s not wholly an accusation of apathy. The office of the President has many responsibilities and interests, and Native America has never been high on the list for Presidents 1 through 42. I’m throwing apathy into the mix, that’s for sure.

Senator McCain has shown interest in Native America for some time now. He was a member of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and proposed the aforementioned Intergovernmental Affairs position. Unlike the current president, he can actually talk about tribal sovereignty and not invite heckling. McCain would keep Native America in mind, at the very least. 

Senator Black Eagle doesn’t have the longest history of interaction with Indian Country.  It could be said that a minority is more likely to help out other minorities, but I would prefer to rely on something more substantial then questionable common assumptions. He certainly does talk a big game, though. You can’t help but feel as if he may actually do something good for Indians. I can only hope that he can follow through on his bold promises, as previous Presidents couldn’t even follow through with the barest of obligations. 

Will whoever becomes President continue to meaningfully interact with Tribal Governments across the nation? I hope so. Both candidates have written some mighty big checks that I can only hope they cash. Both are more likely then any previous President to help Indian Country. But will they? I hope so. The track record suggests otherwise.

Read more of Troy Doney’s “Off the Reservation Blog” at www.newwest.net/offthereservation.