NATIVE VOTE 2012

Congressional Candidate Derek Bailey Gets More Tribal Endorsements

Levi Rickert, editor-in-chief in Native Currents. Discussion »

Less than 10

TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN - Congressional Candidate Derek Bailey, who also serves as the chairman of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, based in Peshawbestown, Michigan, has received more endorsements from American Indian tribes.

His campaign released a letter it received from United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc., based in Nashville, Tennessee and Washington, DC. United South and Eastern Tribes is an inter-tribal organization that represents 26 American Indian tribes from Texas to Maine.

Bailey is a Democrat seeking the nomination in Michigan's First Congressional District. The primary is not until next August, but Bailey realizes he needs to gain widespread support for his candidacy.

"Mr. Bailey's in-depth knowledge of tribal communities, leadership and understanding of the values of Northern Michigan makes him uniquely qualified to serve as a member of Congress,"

writes Brian Patterson, president of United South and Eastern Tribes, Inc.

Last month, Bailey and his wife, Tonia, attended the National Congress of American Indians in Portland, Oregon and spent hours talking to American Indian leaders from all over Indian Country informing them of his candidacy and seeking their endorsements.

Another endorsement came this week to his campaign came from the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, based in Baraga, Michigan. The tribe is one of eight federally recognized tribes in Michigan's First Congressional District.

"There are no resource more vital to the continued existence and integrity of Northern Tribes than our lands, resources and Treaty Rights and Derek Bailey has proven his commitment to the protection of the Great Lakes environment and Tribes of Northern Michigan," states the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community's Tribal Council resolution endorsing Bailey.

Less than 10 American Indians have ever been elected to Congress in the history of the United States. Therefore, Bailey's outreach to other American Indian tribes and communities across Indian Country resonates with those who feel it is time for American Indians to take an active role in Capitol Hill.

Currently, Congressman Tom Cole, R-Oklahoma, is the only American Indian serving in Congress.

posted December 9, 2011 7:40 am est