Kalyn Free, the organizer of the "Prez on the Rez" forum, said she will invite Republican candidates if the Democratic ones won't commit to the upcoming debate.

Free, a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, has had trouble getting Democrats to agree to attend the August 23 forum. She said a national labor union is pressuring the candidates not to attend due to a dispute over tribal sovereignty.

"These tribal leaders are going to remember who came to 'Prez on the Rez,' and who didn't," Free told the Associated Pres. "They've already said to me if Sen. Clinton, Sen. Obama and Sen. Edwards refuse to come, what can we expect from them when they are in the White House?"

So far, only New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson and Sen. Mike Gravel have confirmed their attendance at the August 23 forum, set to take place on the Morongo Reservation in California. Labor unions there have been fighting to organize at casinos.

Get the Story:
Rift over California casino debate casts shadow on tribal forum (AP 5/25)
pwpwd

Relevant Links:
Prez on the Rez - http://www.prezontherez.org
Indigenous Democratic Network - http://www.indnslist.org

Related Stories:
Kalyn Free says union pressuring Democrats (5/24)
'Prez on the Rez' hailed as historic event (05/07)
'Prez on the Rez' hopes to finalize roster (03/30)
Morongo Band prepares for 'Prez on the Rez' (3/21)
'Prez on the Rez' seeks all Democratic candidates (3/19)
NCAI 2007: Updates from winter session in Washington (03/02)
NCAI 2007: Updates from winter session in Washington (02/27)
NCAI in Washington this week for winter meeting (02/26)
INDN's List to launch 'Prez on the Rez' at NCAI (02/19)
Editorial: Group only backs Indian Democrats (2/15)
Montana Republican lashes out at Indian Democrats (2/9)
NCAI staffer seeks public office in Minnesota (11/28)
INDN's List draws top Democrats to camp (10/19)
Howard Dean, Al Franken at INDN's List boot camp (10/12)
Editorial: Indian candidate starts outreach (06/08)
Kalyn Free: DNC treats tribes like 'ATM machine' (02/14)
Group seeks to put more Indians in public office (2/10)
Choctaw Nation denies endorsement of non-Indian (01/19)
Choctaw chief won't back tribal member for Congress (1/16)
Tribal members announce bids for U.S. Congress (10/15)