Indian Country Today interviews, Jake Williams, a member of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians who is running for the Colorado House as a Democrat.

"Indian Country Today: Some Native-specific issues have been raised in the state legislature, often by Senator Williams. I’m sure you’ve followed the high school mascot issue, the genocide apology in an earlier session, and the question about the state’s reimbursement rate for free Native tuition at Fort Lewis College. What’s your position on those areas?
JW: The mascot issue presents a perfect opportunity for learning. Discussions are now taking place between a Colorado High School athletics association and led by Senator Williams, and I’m hopeful we can reach a point of turning a negative into a positive. It’s also an opportunity to teach the history of Indians in Colorado and elsewhere in the nation. Concerning genocide, it’s important for us always to remember genocide of all sorts – not only the Holocaust, but that of Native America, and be supportive of efforts to be sure it never happens again to anyone else. I support the state sticking to its agreement with Fort Lewis College.

ICT: Then there are the wider, national-level issues affecting Natives here and elsewhere. …
JW: I’ll always be a strong proponent for the sovereignty of tribes – sovereignty should never be eroded. In general, I’m against the way government has broken agreements over time.

ICT: Your childhood was spent in part in a Native community, I believe, in addition to some years in Longmont (Colorado)?
JW: Yes. When I was a kid we (Pokagon Band) were still asking for recognition – we only received it in the ’90s. But I have fond memories of powwows and receiving gifts; my grandfather taught me words in my Native language. I liked it because it gave me something unique – no other kid in my school had the same experiences."

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