From Minnesota to South Dakota and Washington to Arizona, Bernie Sanders has managed to gain a lot of popularity in tribal communities throughout the nation.
And as a demographic that only comprises about 2% of the U.S. population, these communities often go nearly ignored during presidential campaigns – making Sanders’ face time in those communities go a long way.
But, as Sanders noted at an event held in Spokane, Washington in March, many of the main issues he addresses in his stump speech are exacerbated in Native American communities – like problems facing health care, environmental protection and infrastructure improvements.
“When you get a presidential candidate that is actually going to care about Native people, then as a Native person I have to support them,” one supporter says. “Why would I support another candidate who ain’t even going to have any respect for me as a Native American?”
Another Sanders fan explains, “When he speaks, I recognize that he is one with the people and the earth, and that he’s bringing back the proper perspective. Because what he says relates to us as Native people.”
The ad ends with voices lending their support for Sanders – some in English, but many more in a variety of rich Native languages.
In November, Sanders joined fellow Senator Tammy Baldwin in introducing legislation to protect Oak Flat – a portion of the Tonto Forest that Arizona Sen. John McCain is looking to sell to a foreign copper mining company.
And in March, Sanders became the only presidential candidate since 1999 to campaign, in person, in the Navajo Nation – the largest American Indian reservation in the country.
Although Sanders has gained a lot of ground, he is up against Hillary Clinton’s long history with the Native American community. It will all come down to the June 7 primaries, where states with influential Native American voting blocs, including Montana, New Mexico and South Dakota, will head to the polls.
And as a demographic that only comprises about 2% of the U.S. population, these communities often go nearly ignored during presidential campaigns – making Sanders’ face time in those communities go a long way.
But, as Sanders noted at an event held in Spokane, Washington in March, many of the main issues he addresses in his stump speech are exacerbated in Native American communities – like problems facing health care, environmental protection and infrastructure improvements.
“I Am Human” – Native Americans for Bernie Sanders
Sanders’ latest ad gives a voice to the Native American community. The two-and-a-half minute long video features Native American women, men, children and families who explain why they support the Vermont senator.
“When you get a presidential candidate that is actually going to care about Native people, then as a Native person I have to support them,” one supporter says. “Why would I support another candidate who ain’t even going to have any respect for me as a Native American?”
Another Sanders fan explains, “When he speaks, I recognize that he is one with the people and the earth, and that he’s bringing back the proper perspective. Because what he says relates to us as Native people.”
The ad ends with voices lending their support for Sanders – some in English, but many more in a variety of rich Native languages.
Bernie Sanders Seeks to Make Great Strides With Native American Community
To build his credibility in the Native American community, Sanders hired Tribal Rights Attorney Tara Houska as the Native American advisor to his campaign last February – but that wasn’t the first time Sanders’ reached out to tribal communities.In November, Sanders joined fellow Senator Tammy Baldwin in introducing legislation to protect Oak Flat – a portion of the Tonto Forest that Arizona Sen. John McCain is looking to sell to a foreign copper mining company.
And in March, Sanders became the only presidential candidate since 1999 to campaign, in person, in the Navajo Nation – the largest American Indian reservation in the country.
Although Sanders has gained a lot of ground, he is up against Hillary Clinton’s long history with the Native American community. It will all come down to the June 7 primaries, where states with influential Native American voting blocs, including Montana, New Mexico and South Dakota, will head to the polls.