Ed. Note: The following is a response to Sen. Pete Domenici (R-New Mexico), who has criticized Navajo Nation leaders for supporting Democratic presidential nominee Sen. John Kerry.

Senator Domenici:

Who is really out of touch with reality? Let us help you.

As Native Americans, we are offended and insulted by your futile attempt to justify President Bush�s atrocious record of addressing Native American issues and concerns.

Take for example, health care for Native Americans. In the 2004 budget, President Bush proposed a $3.4 billion cut for Indian Health Service operations, which only circumvents the United States sovereign treaty obligation to Native Americans. (We need not overstate nor marginalize what true sovereignty means.) In addition, Bush proposed a 56 percent decrease for I.H.S. facilities construction.

Now on to your vague statement about Indian education. While it is true that Bush has funded educational facilities construction initiated by President Clinton, it is only a fraction of the $1 billion necessary to modernize classrooms for Native American students. Using a band-aid approach, the Bush administration felt that by building a few new classrooms, it would justify his lack of full funding for No Child Left Behind.

We realize that you have been in office for the past 23 years, yet we don�t get how you are uninformed about the real conditions of healthcare service for Native Americans. We encourage you to tour any of the I.H.S. facilities in Albuquerque, Gallup, or Shiprock, after your visit with President Shirley�s relatives in the hogan. This tour would provide you an insight and understanding on how the dismal federal funding impacts critical healthcare service. By now, you should know that the federal government funds $1,900 per capita for Native Americans, whereas inmates in federal prisons receive $3,803 per capita funding. Where is the social justice in this picture?

Imagine this, Senator: Your grandkids attending an isolated dilapidated school after riding 2 hours in an outdated school bus over miles of dirt roads. That is the reality of Indian education on Navajoland.

Instead of attacking our outspoken tribal leaders, why don�t you help them advocate for social justice for Native Americans: complete funding for No Child Left Behind, restored COPS funding for law enforcement, restored funds for education, increased funding for small business on tribal lands, equitable funding for healthcare, and more.

We appreciate that you value the significance of the critical Native vote for the US Presidential elections. On November 3rd, why don�t you help us from Day 1, not Day 1460?

With respect,

Naomi Harrington
Juanita Lowe
Lester K. Tsosie
Albuquerque, New Mexico

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