Mille Lacs chairwoman backs Sen. Clinton

Monday, June 4, 2007  

Melanie Benjamin, the chief executive of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Indians in Minnesota, reiterated her support for Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-New York), who has refused to attend the "Prez on the Rez" forum.

Benjamin said she was "honored" to endorse the 2008 Democratic presidential hopeful. "Hillary Clinton has demonstrated over the past 15 years her appreciation for the unique challenges in Indian Country, her understanding of tribal sovereignty, and her willingness to work to improve the lives of American Indians," Benjamin said. " I have been working with her and her campaign since the first days of her bid for the White House and I applaud her ongoing work on behalf of American Indians."

Benjamin said Clinton will continue to meet tribal leaders despite declining an invitation to the "Prez on the Rez" forum. The event takes place August 23 on the Morongo Reservation in California.

"Senator Clinton has assured me that she absolutely intends to address Indian tribes at another national forum later in the campaign,” said Benjamin. "Her commitment to Indian nations is not in the least way undermined by her inability to attend a single event in the midst of a national Presidential campaign."

Benjamin said she and other tribal leaders met with Clinton during a campaign stop in Minnesota on Friday.

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

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