Commentary

Our Readers Weigh In: Tribal Leaders Should Not Have Paid to Attend Obama Fundraiser

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

Price of Admission

On Saturday the Native News Network ran an article about 75 tribal officials who paid a minimum of $15,000 to attend an Obama for America fundraiser last Friday afternoon at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel in Washington.

By the comments posted on our site and Facebook page since its publication, the attendance by 75 tribal officials hit a nerve among our readers.

The story was part of our Native Vote 2012 section. The Native News Network is committed to publishing stories about the importance of American Indians participating in the American political system.

Let me explain why it is important.

Even with the small size of the Native population within the overall population in this country, the votes of American Indians and Alaska Natives are becoming increasingly influential in marginal districts. In some cases, the Native votes have proved to have been the tipping point in the outcome of elections in recent years.

In some key Congressional districts, this will be very true this November.

Therefore, the Native News Network feels it is important for American Indians to participate in the election process by first registering to vote if they are not already registered; then ultimately by casting their votes in primaries and the general election in November.

Obviously, there are varying degrees of participation in the American political system. Clearly, the 75 American Indian leaders felt they should participate by contributing to President Obama's campaign.

By reading the reactions from our readers to Saturday's article, there was not one positive comment about the tribal officials paying at least $15,000 to attend President Obama's fundraiser.

Here is a sampling of the comments:

The following comment came via an email to me late Sunday night from Los Angeles:

"Sovereign nation leaders, tribal elders and Obama refers to them as 'you guys'? Is this how he addresses the governors or other leaders at the United Nations? The 75 'guys' giving $15,000 to sit with Obama was a waste of money. Is this the payment of money he got by hosting three tribal leaders meetings?"

I am sure the 75 American Indian tribal officials would argue this is how American politics is played. They would argue you have to give big money in hope of something in return.

Hopefully, these tribal officials realize American Indians have already paid their fair share with the loss of our tribal lands, languages, and culture. Our ancestors died at the horrible treatment of previous presidential administrations.

American Indians have already paid the price of admission to participate in today's American political system.

Sadly, in contemporary times, some of American Indian leaders learned a harsh lesson of attempting to buy influence from the likes of Jack Abramoff.

Furthermore, I hope President Obama - and the others on the other side who are running for president - fully understand just beyond the glitzy lights of tribal casinos, the real Native America exists: almost 40 percent of our people living on reservations live below the poverty level.

It is insulting that President Obama's reelection committee would even ask for such a commitment from our tribal leaders. The money is needed too much in Native communities.

We have already paid our price of admission to participate in the American political system.

Editor's Note: Some comments were edited for purposes of grammar and spelling.

posted January 30, 2012 7:50 am est