'"I would have a cabinet department for Native American affairs'

[bigtree]

February 23, 2007



New Mexico's Gov. Bill Richardson, who is running for nomination on the Democratic ticket as a presidential candidate, recently discussed with Indian Country Today what he would do if elected president in the 2008 election. He said creating a cabinet-level department for Indian affairs would be a top priority.
A conversation with presidential candidate Bill Richardson

Editor's note: New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson in January began his run for the Democratic presidential nomination, betting on a solid record and his longstanding relationships with the Indian and Hispanic peoples of his region. Indian Country Today's special correspondent, Sonny Skyhawk, sat down with Richardson to discuss his relationship with the Native peoples of New Mexico and his plans to continue improving that relationship if he were president. Following Skyhawk's introduction are excerpts from their conversation.

SANTA FE, N.M. - I'm an elder of sorts and have worn out a few pairs of moccasins in this life. Not much by way of politics piques the interest of this old warrior, let alone state politics. But Gov. Bill Richardson's second term finds me paying attention. I talked with him in his office in Santa Fe about his ideas on improving the relationship between New Mexico and the American Indian people of the state.

Sonny Skyhawk: How was it possible for you to establish such a strong rapport with the Pueblo population in New Mexico, and yet many other governors are having difficulty addressing the Native population in their own states?

Gov. Bill Richardson: Since the beginning, since I was a congressman, Secretary of Energy, United Nations ambassador, I felt that our Native American people have not gotten the priority attention they deserve, so I've made them partners.

I've treated them not just with respect, but I've also used deeds. When I was in Congress, we passed a lot of legislation returning lands to the Pueblos, respecting religious beliefs, Indian religious rights, national parks, joint efforts between the Pueblos and the federal government. When I was Secretary of Energy, we returned millions of acres to the Utes in Utah for energy development, and then at the United Nations I very proudly presided over a conference on Native peoples from around the world. <...>

As governor, I've had two cabinet members Native Americans; I've elevated the Indian affairs to cabinet level - it never used to be cabinet-level. I've appointed Native Americans to not just jobs in the administration, but commissions that deal with water and infrastructure.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

1. He's one of my favorites!

so many to choose from :)

[bigtree]

2. I am so glad to hear this

I measure MANY issues against your reactions

[Viva_La_Revolution]

3. ...

:blush:

Just his international experience is enough to sway me. The NA position is a bonus. :)

[burrowowl]

4. YES! it's about time! K&R

[Vidar]

5. Not a bad idea.

[Hawkowl]

6. Better than

Obama and Hillary combined.

[JI7]

7. i'm not sure whether i like him

but i like it that you are posting about issues that matter regarding him.

[k_jerome]

8. admirable goal. i am liking Richardson. nt.

[Superman Returns]

9. link?

I post another messageboard with a politics forum and need to link the story. thanks.

[bigtree]

14. sorry, went to work after I posted

here:

http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096414557

looks like I posted the image link twice instead of the story page

[Chulanowa]

10. Argh!

Why do our candidates all have to be GOOD? I'm going to go through hell trying to decide who I throw down for in the primaries. Jeeze. Can't one of them be Lieberman or some other half-baked mediocre puts that I can be 100% certain that I would never vote for? NooooooOOOooo, they all have to be decent, strong candidates who all have an equally good chance of winning the main event.

Stupid Democratic candidates, making my decisionmaking extra-hard!

[yellerpup]

11. Under rated and overlooked

Richardson has tremendous talent. NA Affairs deserves a cabinet post, and Gov. Richardson is the only one who has mentioned it. Blessed be the peacemakers...

[druidity33]

12. yeah but

I'm sure if someone talked to Kucinich about it he'd be in favor of it. He probably already is, it just hasn't been mentioned in a speech lately or been dug up on his website...

Does Richardson have any strings attached?

[bigtree]

15. here's where Richardson's Executive experience comes in

Governors get to actually implement some concerns that others are only able to promise they will manage if elected president.

Richardson:

"As governor, I've had two cabinet members Native Americans; I've elevated the Indian affairs to cabinet level - it never used to be cabinet-level. I've appointed Native Americans to not just jobs in the administration, but commissions that deal with water and infrastructure."

[AnOhioan]

16. From Dennis' website regarding Native Americans

2. Government-to-Government Relations
We need to strengthen the ability of federal agencies to consult with tribal governments, as sovereign nations, whenever rule-making or other agency activities affect or are of interest to tribes. The President should consult with Indian leaders regularly to ensure that the administration is meeting the needs of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Hawaiian Natives. He should honor the Clinton-era Executive Order requiring federal agencies to develop Indian consultation policies and maintain government-to-government relationships with tribes.


Just one part of a well-thought out policy regarding the First Nations.


http://kucinich.us/issues/native_americans.php

[druidity33]

17. agreed

and he's the type of individual that would listen to you if you thought Native Americans should have a cabinet level Dept. He'd research what you had to say and recommend a position. Kucinich can be persuaded if the cause is just. At the very least the BIA should be entirely eradicated and replaced with some other entity that is more representative of the tribes in this country.

Though i haven't heard too much about Richardson, i must admit, this is a good sign...

[bigtree]

18. I was extremely impressed with his VP choice LaDuke

[AnOhioan]

19. You are aware that Ms. LaDuke ran on the Green Party Ticket?

She endorsed Dennis in '04 but was never involved beyond that.

[bigtree]

20. Oh yeah, she was with Nader

sleepy :dunce:

[Jim Lane]

23. Clarification on LaDuke

Winona LaDuke was Nader's running mate in 1996 and 2000, but she saw the error of her ways. For the 2004 election, she was one of those urging Nader NOT to run. (In fact, because she'd been on his ticket the last time, her voice to that effect was probably one of the most persuasive. No one could accuse her of being a "Nader-hater".) She endorsed Kucinich in the primaries and Kerry in the general election.

I know some people will forever hold it against her that she was on the Sabotage Al Gore ticket in 2000. My view is that she made a mistake, recognized it, and changed her position. We could do with more politicians who had that skill. (Are you listening, Hillary?)

[Dinger]

13. Absolutely. It Is So Good To Hear This

What a wonderful idea! Native people in this country deserve this, and more.

[Blue Gardener]

21. I'm liking him more all the time

Hope he spends some time in Iowa.

[election_2004]

22. A definite PLUS for Richardson

Even if the other candidates in the primary adopt some variation of this idea, he's gone on record as being the first one to propose it in public.

[ripple]

24. I like Richardson

but I saw the CSPAN piece with him in NH and he's doing too much finger-pointing at other dems for my tastes.

He said that dems have failed the middle class, because we've stood up for the poor and forgotten about the middle. He didn't even mention Bush, just democrats. I know he's a moderate, but jeez.