Indian Country Today interviewed David Gipp, the president United Tribes Technical College in North Dakota, after his speech to the Democratic National Convention on August 26.

Gipp, a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, was the only Native person to speak during the convention. ''I was quite taken aback by it,'' he told ICT of his selection. "Quite frankly, I thought it was going to be a tribally-elected leader. ... In many ways I'm kind of like the common man who was given an ultimate opportunity."

Gipp supports Sen. Barack Obama, who accepted the party's nomination on August 28. "The aspect of him that I think tribal people really respond to is his ability to listen. He seems to not just hear, but also listens. ... I really respect that," Gipp said of the candidate.

Get the Story:
Native educator turns DNC star speaker (Indian Country Today 9/3)

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