A month after defeating Democrat Sen. Tom Daschle in the most
expensive Senate race in history, Republican John Thune will
meet with representatives of South Dakota's nine tribes.
Tribal leaders unanimously endorsed Daschle in a heated matchup
that saw a record Indian turnout. The reservation vote, however,
wasn't enough to re-elect the outgoing Senate minority leader,
considered one of Indian Country's biggest advocates.
But as Thune basks in the national spotlight for his Election Day
upset, tribes are eager to find out where they stand. A meeting
arranged by The Native Voice, an independent, Indian-owned
newspaper in South Dakota, should help.
"We want to know that he will be there for us, that he will
meet with us, will listen to our concerns, and will act on
our behalf in Washington," said Harold Frazier, chairman
of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.
The meeting will be hosted and moderated
by Frank J. King, III and Lise Balk King, the husband and wife
team that owns and publishes the newspaper. Lise King said
Thune was eager to talk with tribal leaders and that he
won't hold "grudges" because they supported his rival.
Also joining the talks is Gov. Mike Rounds (R), who has earned
praise for reaching out to tribes early in his term.
"The governor believes in working together with the tribes to get things done,"
said his press secretary Mark Johnston.
The December 16 meeting will take place at the
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City.
Unlike a session with Daschle and other Democrats that was
arranged by Tim Giago, a former newspaper publisher, the media
will be allowed to attend opening remarks and a closing press conference.
South Dakota was a hotbed of activity in the months prior to
the November 2 election. Members of both parties, as well as
non-partisan groups like the National Congress of American Indians,
focused on the state's significant Indian presence. According
to the U.S. Census Bureau, Native Americans make up about 8 percent
of the population.
Thune made an effort to campaign on reservations after he lost
the 2002 Senate race to Democrat Tim Johnson by just 524 votes.
On every reservation, Indians overwhelmingly backed Johnson, which
sent him over the top.
The effort did help the former Congressman, who increased his Indian
support in critical places like the Pine Ridge Reservation. Still,
Daschle got the lion's share of the Indian vote.
But Indian Republicans believe that will change in future years.
Bruce Whalen, a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe and chairman of
the Shannon County Republican Party, is reaching out to reservation
residents.
"We have a different game strategy," Whalen said in a recent interview.
"We're trying to have a relationship with the people.
to show that the Republican values like up with Lakota values
more closely than the Democrats."
One complaint about Thune was that he was invisible on tribal issues
during his six years in the House. During that time, he
sponsored or co-sponsored just three Indian-related bills.
Thune said he will pay more attention to tribal concerns once he
arrives in the 109th Congress. His victory has made him popular
and could lead to high-profile positions on key committees.
South Dakota tribes have already found an advocate in Democrat Rep.
Stephanie Herseth, who won a second election this year with the
help of Indian voters. She sits on the House Resources Committee,
which has jurisdiction over Indian issues.
Sen. Tim Johnson, also a Democrat, is retaining his seas on
the Indian Affairs Committee and the Appropriations Committee.
He has used his posts there to advocate for trust reform and
more funding for Indian programs.
Relevant Links:
Native Voice - http://www.native-voice.com
John Thune - http://www.johnthune.com
Related Stories:
Thune gains support of more reservation
voters (11/04)
South Dakota Indian voter
turnout a record high (11/04)
Daschle unseated by
Republican rival Thune (11/3)
A Day at the
Races: South Dakota (11/01)
South Dakota
Lakotas upset over Thune mailer (11/1)
South Dakota
tribes send backing to Tom Daschle (10/22)
Chairman: Thune 'not very productive' on
Indians (10/21)
Thune's record on Indian
issues called non-existent (10/19)
Pat
Robertson claims Indians 'not totally literate' (10/18)
Pollster says Indian vote is
critical in South Dakota (10/01)
Herseth
the choice of Indians contacted for poll (9/30)
Native Vote 2004 to monitor voting in several
states (09/13)
South Dakota GOP claims
2002 Senate election stolen (09/10)
Means says South Dakota GOP needs to do more
(08/09)
South Dakota Indians wielding
newfound influence (07/12)
Tom Daschle: Indian Country shows
its clout (6/10)
South Dakota Indian vote doubled last week
(6/7)
Voting problems reported by South Dakota Indians
(6/3)
Democrat Stephanie Herseth heads
to House (6/2)
CNN host unapologetic for Indian vote
'uproar' (1/12)
Indian
voter fraud claims linger after election (12/10)
Indian votes helped Johnson
(11/7)
Republican Thune to meet with tribal leaders
Wednesday, December 15, 2004
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