Archives for August 2016
Trahant Reports – You gotta run to win
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It’s easy to be optimistic about the prospects for American Indian and Alaska Native candidates in this election and beyond. Our numbers are growing, organizations are getting stronger, and, best of all, the most remarkable, talented people are giving elective office a shot.
This is Trahant Reports.
But we also hear people say this about elections: What happens when good people lose?
It’s important to remember that politics has a long arc. Change does not happen after one election — or even after someone we like wins. It’s a constant push for change.
We need to think of politics as a routine: We encourage candidates, help when we can, organize, and, repeat when necessary. T
Then there is Trahant’s Rule: You gotta run to win.
There is no substitute for someone taking that risk to put their name on a ballot. It’s a tough thing to do and we should honor all of those who are willing to try.
This August we will lose several Native American candidates. In Alaska, for example, Edgar Blatchford lost his primary for the U.S. Senate. He ended up second in a field of three.
Blatchford is a professor at the University of Alaska Anchorage. He was a late entry into the race. He ran with little money, promoting his candidacy largely via social media.
He told me: “The idea in this campaign was that no one wanted to file as a Democrat.” So Blatchford jumped in (and then two others did as well).
Blatchford is Yupik and was the only Native American running for the U.S. Senate. It’s too bad his campaign didn’t have more time (and money). He has a resume worth considering: Once Mayor of Seward, a professor, owner of a newspaper chain, chief executive officer of a what is now Chugach Native Corporation, and he served in a governor’s cabinet.
Too often, Blatchford said, the first question people asked him was: “How much money have you raised? Not whether I am a Democrat, Republican, or what I believe.”
Then he laughed and added, “I have nothing.”
There are two areas of the country where it’s a question of “when” not “if” there will be Native representation in Congress. Alaska is one such place. And Arizona is another.
And, speaking of Arizona, voters go to the polls Tuesday to pick party nominees. Four Native candidates have primary challengers — and the field will likely narrow.
But in order to get real representation for Indian Country in Congress and legislatures this fact remains: People gotta run in order to win. I am Mark Trahant reporting.
NAC Aug. 29 – Sept. 2
Monday, August 29, 2016 – Why support the arts?
Some of the major art markets are wrapping up for the year. But for the artists, the work continues all year long. Many artists are constantly hustling, taking part-time jobs and branching out with other talents, just to put food on the table. A lucky few can get some breathing room with grants or fellowships. What does it take to have a thriving artist community in Native America?
Tuesday, August 30, 2016 — The good and bad of youth sports
Young people who play sports get exercise, learn to work as a team and develop their coordination. But there is also a downside, such as injuries, overbearing parents, and the cost in time and money. Many parents are thinking about sports this time of year as schools and park programs start up fall soccer, football and basketball leagues. We’ll celebrate our young Native athletes and also discuss the rule book on safety and good behavior.
Wednesday, August 31, 2016 – August Book of the Month: “LaRose” by Louise Erdrich
Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa author, Louise Erdrich has given audiences many pages throughout the years filled with extraordinary stories about life and the families and communities that they know best. We turn to her latest novel, “LaRose.” It starts off with tragedy and winds into a detailed story of people who reveal their raw self to face the world.
Thursday, September 1, 2016 — Elder care in Native America
It’s the Native way to take care of elders within the family. But these days many families turn to nursing homes or other elder care centers for help. We ask those whose job it is to care for elders what to look out for. We also get tips on ways all of us can prepare for late-life care.
Friday, September 2, 2016 – Worst. Job. Ever.
It’s your time to spill the beans about bad bosses, horrible working conditions and mean coworkers. Many of us have Monday off to celebrate Labor Day. We’ll take a moment to share stories of bad job experiences. We’ll also discuss how to call it quits at a bad job.
August in the news
Trahant Reports – Essence Of Political Organizing Is Found At Standing Rock
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My Facebook feed is rolling from new feeds from those headed to North Dakota to join those protecting drinking water for the people of Standing Rock and Cheyenne River. Other folks are fundraising using a variety of social media tools. And, still more people are shipping food and supplies to the hundreds camped near the site.
That is the essence of political organizing.
This is Trahant Reports.
There is a problem, seemingly intractable, because the Dakota Access Project has opted for a route that crosses the Missouri River in a location that threatens the drinking water for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe (and eventually the Cheyenne River Tribe).
So the tribes and supporters are organizing on multiple fronts. Litigation, set to begin August 24th, will challenge the role of federal regulators. And in the court of public opinion, hundreds of people are bringing the dispute into the new living room of America (that’s Facebook) where the story is often trending for all to see.
The magnitude of the organization is impressive. All it takes is a phone call, a Facebook post, or a picture on Instagram, and there is somebody ready to act. It’s the exact sort of passion that wins elections.
What’s interesting about this moment in time is that so many Native American candidates are on the ballot in North Dakota and South Dakota. The same organizational tools that bring food must also be configured to win an election.
Imagine Chase Iron Eyes in Congress who is selling t-shirts to fund his campaign.
Or specifically on this issue: Marlo Hunte-Beaubrun, Standing Rock Sioux, is running for North Dakota’s Public Service Commission and Henry Red Cloud, Oglala Lakota, is a candidate for South Dakota’s Public Utilities Commission. These are the state regulatory bodies that determine approval process for pipeline companies. One vote in each state might not be enough to change the outcome, but even a single voice on those commissions could raise tribal concerns every time the issue comes up.
The North Dakota Public Service Commission says the decision has already been made. Perhaps. The strategy for the Dakota Access Pipeline has been all about getting a quick approval. But if the protests and litigation slow that down, that might cause the company to rethink its route. Especially if they are looking at delays measured in years not months.
Back to politics: How many votes are needed to elect Hunte-Beaubrun? She would need to find 70,000 more votes than the last Democrat who ran for that office. And Red Cloud would need about 100,000 more votes.
Tall orders? Sure. But it’s no different than organizing food, transportation, and lodging for hundreds of last-minute guests.
I am Mark Trahant reporting.
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Trahant Reports is brought to you by Kauffman & Associates, Inc., a Native American owned, woman-owned small business that has delivered innovative .solutions for government and commercial clients since 1990. KAI’s expertise spans diverse specialty areas, including public health, education, and economic development
NAC August 22 – 26
Monday August 22, 2016 – Can the Dakota Access Pipeline be stopped?
Protesters near the Standing Rock Sioux Reservation hope to stop the momentum toward building the nearly 1,200-mile Dakota Access Pipeline carrying crude oil from the Bakken oil fields to Illinois. They set up at the Camp of the Sacred Stones and are raising awareness of the issue, filling social media with videos and pictures. Meanwhile, lawyers on both sides are battling in the courts.
Tuesday, August 23, 2016 – Starting college the right way
This is the time of year when young people are heading off to college for the first time. There are a lot of details and new experiences for incoming freshmen: financial aid, class schedules, dorm roommates, and missing home. Beyond the basics, what do Native students need to know to be prepared?
Wednesday, August 24, 2016 — At the Native Cinema Showcase 2016
We put the spotlight on some of the Native filmmakers whose films recently graced the big screen. The Native Cinema Showcase, during Santa Fe Indian Market, highlights recent works. We discuss films, the movie industry and how Native Americans fit into the world of cinema.
Thursday, August 25, 2016 — “You are cordially invited…” to a traditional Native American wedding
They’re not the typical Western weddings with the puffy, white gowns, tuxedos and tiered cake. Many young Native American couples are opting for the traditional ceremony. What does it take to put on a traditional wedding?
Friday, August 26, 2016 – August in the News
The protest against the Dakota Access Project gathered steam, although organizers complained about unfavorable media coverage. They took their messages to social media. That’s one of the topics on the table as we check in on recent news. Also, the Navajo Nation sues the EPA over last year’s Gold King Mine spill, an Arizona court deals a blow to a Gila River Indian Community custody case, and the presidential candidates continue to ignore Native American issues.
A taste of the craft brew boom
Trahant Reports – Native Republicans
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This is Trahant Reports.
So the data show that the vast majority of Native Americans vote for Democrats. And most run for office as Democrats. Of the active candidates on my #NativeVote16 boards there are 75 Democrats, 14 Republicans, and 4 independents.
If you look at history, there are a lot more American Indians and Alaska Natives who have won office under the Republican banner. That list includes: Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell, Northern Cheyenne, who joined the Republican Party after his election; Vice President Charles Curtis; as well as the only current members of Congress, Tom Cole and Markwayne Mullin.
The Republican Party platform says: “Based on both treaty and other law, the federal government has a unique government-to-government relationship with and trust responsibility for Indian Tribal Governments …These obligations have not been sufficiently honored.”
Oklahoma’s U.S. Rep. Cole is perhaps the most senior and respected Republican who’s also a member of a tribe. “As an enrolled member of the Chickasaw Nation, I am very proud of my heritage … I am committed to advocating on behalf of Native Americans in Congress.”
Cole’s advocacy is routine and powerful. He was instrumental in the 2013 enactment of the Violence Against Women Act because he gave cover to Republicans who voted for the measure
Cole has called for the repeal of the Affordable Care Act, and, at the same time, has consistently said the United States government has “fallen behind” in its funding of the Indian health system. He often advocates for spending more on Indian health throughout the budget and appropriations process.
Perhaps the strongest case that Republican candidates for office make to Native American voters is that they will be inside the room when the party makes decisions on American Indian issues. Rep. Bruce Meyer of the Montana Legislature said he was able to convince Republicans to support tribal water compacts with the state. “We need friends on both sides,” he said. “It’s good that I am on the other side of the aisle. I tell people that I am out to get the best deal for American Indians no matter which party because that’s my constituency.”
There is one question that every Republican has to answer this election: What do you think about your party’s nominee for president?
Rep. Cole, who is an important voice for party leadership, says that’s really not an issue. He said on NBC: “This is a choice. It’s a choice between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump … and, frankly, if you’re a Republican that’s a pretty easy choice.”
Then again not every Native American candidate is quite so eager to embrace Donald Trump.
I am Mark Trahant reporting.
NAC August 15 – 19
Monday, August 15, 2016 – The view from north of the border
Next month the Canadian government will begin a national inquiry into thousands of missing and murdered Indigenous women. We’ll find out what that means for the families and the 1.4 million people with Aboriginal identity in the country. We’ll also take a look at other Aboriginal issues making headlines for our neighbors to the north.
Tuesday, August 16, 2016 – Asthma: drowning in air
Fighting to breathe is a scary experience. But that’s the reality for 1 out of every 12 people in the U.S. who have asthma, according to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. American Indian and Alaska Native children are 30 percent more likely to have asthma, according to the Office of Minority Health. We’ll talk with doctors about the symptoms and the most up-to-date treatments.
Wednesday, August 17, 2016 – How publishing works
Many of us hope that we will someday write the great (Native) American novel. But what happens next after you type the words “The End” in your manuscript?
Thursday, August 18, 2016 –Kids and food: the cure for picky eaters
Do you have a picky eater in the family? Children can be stubborn when it comes to downing healthy foods like broccoli or green beans. Exasperated parents feel guilty when they end up feeding their kids chicken nuggets and Froot Loops. What’s the solution to the picky eater conundrum?
Friday, August 19, 2016 – Beer with a champagne attitude
Native American entrepreneurs are among those tapping into the craft beer boom. With a brew pub on every corner, how do you rise above the crowd? We talk to Native people in the beer business about when to have an IPA over a lager.
Native American candidates for the U.S. House and Senate
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This August there are eight Native American candidates for the U.S. House and Senate. But that number is likely to shrink when the month comes to a close. This is Trahant Reports.
Four Native candidates are on ballots this month: Democrats Edgar Blatchford, Yupik, in Alaska, Joe Pakootas, Colville, in Washington’s 5th Congressional District, Victoria Steele, Seneca, in Arizona’s 2nd Congressional District; and, Republican Shawn Redd, Navajo, in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District.
The first of these primary elections was August 2 in Washington state. And, even though it’s hard to read too much into a primary, Joe Pakootas did really well. The race shows that his opponent, Cathy McMorris Rodgers, is more vulnerable than ever.
McMorris Rodgers and Pakootas finished first and second and will go on to the general election in November. Washington has what’s called “a blanket primary.” That means voters pick from all candidates on the ballot. It doesn’t matter which party they represent.
So in that primary, McMorris Rodgers was first with 56,676 votes while Pakootas earned 42,600. What’s interesting about that is that McMorris Rodgers did not earn a majority of the vote, the first time that’s happened since she has been an incumbent.
Right now: The incumbent has a huge advantage, she’s raised some $2.4 million to Pakootas’ $166,729. But even with that margin Pakootas showed in the primary that he can be competitive.
Like a lot of Republicans, McMorris Rodgers has to deal with the Trump problem. How far do candidates go defending their nominee? McMorris Rodgers may be all in. According to The Spokesman-Review newspaper she called for party unity saying it was necessary to defeat a “motivated” Democratic Party.
Pakootas is a former chairman of the Colville Tribes. He told his supporters via Facebook: “Thank you 5th Congressional District for your support! I am pleased to announce I am moving onto the General Election!”
One note of caution: It’s hard to read too much into a primary because the number of voters are so few. Less than 92,000 people cast ballots in that primary compared to 232,242 in the last general election. Turnout was even smaller than the primary two years ago.
The next primary is in Alaska on Aug. 16 where Edgar Blatchford is running for the U.S. Senate against two other Democrats. Unlike Washington, Alaska has a party-based primary. So voters will pick candidates to represent Democrats, Republicans, and in this case, a Libertarian, and an independent. So Alaska will have four candidates on the November ballot. That is quite a crowd. I am Mark Trahant reporting.
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Trahant Reports is brought to you by Kauffman & Associates, Inc., a Native American owned, woman-owned small business that has delivered innovative solutions for government and commercial clients since 1990. KAI’s expertise spans diverse specialty areas, including public health, education, and economic development.