More than 140 American Indian and Alaska Native delegates are at the Democratic National Convention this week.

Frank LaMere, a member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, said the Native contingent is the largest in the party's history. "Native attendees at the convention will carry the wishes of their people and will return to their homes having taken their rightful place in this political process," LaMere told RezNet News.

Minnesota Democrats sent six Indian delegates to the convention, out of 109 delegates. Along with delegates from other states, they will take part in Native American Caucus meetings on Monday and Wednesday.

In addition to the delegates, six tribal members are serving on standing committes at the convention. They include Joe Garcia (Ohkay Owingeh), the president of the National Congress of American Indians and Mark Macarro, the chairman of the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians of California.

Get the Story:
Kevin Abourezk: LaMere: Native Delegates Carry People's Hopes (RezNet News 8/25)
Newcomers look forward to their role in making history (The Minneapolis Star Tribune 8/25)
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