Dean Issues Native American Platform ALBUQUERQUE--Speaking today at the National Congress of American Indians, Governor Howard Dean, M.D., announced a variety of policy proposals aimed at ensuring that the government treats Native American nations as governments, not special interest groups. As president, Dean said he would support tribal sovereignty and government-to-government relations between the United States and federally recognized tribes.
"Traveling across the country during this campaign, I've met so many Americans who are struggling. The truth is, the government is only working for the interests of a privileged few-- and the people are being left behind. In tribal communities, it's been happening for 200 years," Dean said.
"Too many Native American communities are lagging behind and it is because the United States has not followed through on promised services. President Bush's administration has created an environment that undermines Tribal America's forward progress," Dean continued. "He has allowed the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Indian health services, and the Administration for Native Americans to languish for months without leadership. This has fostered challenges to the sovereign rights of tribal governments, which undercuts a tribe's ability to provide for the well-being of its people. The attack on tribal sovereignty must stop."
Governor Dean's policy proposals, which are available in full at were developed with the help of his Native American Advisors Council, chaired by LaDonna Harris and Wilma Mankiller.
Dean announced that, as president, he would:
Rebuild the trust relationship between the federal government and Native Americans.
Pursue innovative strategies to help Native American communities achieve self-sufficiency, as well as build partnerships with USDA, HUD, Fannie Mae, and others to meet the dire housing needs of Indian country and to improve basic infrastructure for housing development, including water, sewer, and utilities.
Provide affordable quality health care for all Americans, and provide incentives for students and mid-career health professionals to serve as primary care providers on reservations and urban Native American health clinics.
Improve the educational opportunities for all Native Americans, including fully funding the continuation of the Indian Head Start programs and supporting bilingual and multicultural programs that involve parents, tribal leaders, and other community members.
Preserve Native American lands while developing sustainable energy resources, through programs aimed to increase energy efficiency and promote sustainable energy sources.
Governor Dean also promised to improve and solidify Native American governmental posts, by reforming and strengthening the Bureau of Indian Affairs and rectifying the mismanagement of the Indian Trust Funds. He also said he would appoint a Native American to the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs to coordinate tribal/federal relations throughout the Administration.
"Diversity is one of America's great strengths. My values and the values of my campaign are the same as those of Native Americans--advancing the cause of youth, caring for our elders, ensuring equal opportunity, providing quality health care, and creating jobs by building basic infrastructure and planning for future generations," he continued.
"I believe in honoring the communities that American Indian and Alaskan Natives have maintained for hundreds of years. As President, I will work to restore the trust between our government and our country's Native American communities. My administration will focus on policies that promote the strength, integrity, and resiliency in Indian Country," he said.
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