PHOTO BY CLARE JENSEN

Representatives from tribes throughout the Puget Sound region rallied their support Oct. 19 for Democratic candidates in the upcoming election. Puyallup Tribal Chairman Herman Dillon addresses the audience in Tacoma. On Oct. 25, the Puyallup Tribe is hosting another rally with Governor Chris Gregoire in Fife.

Native Vote 2008: Tacoma rally shows support for Dems

By Clare Jensen

American Indians from throughout the Puget Sound area gathered at the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center Oct. 19 to rally their support for Democratic candidates in the upcoming election.

“Native Vote 2008” is a campaign in and of itself that has been working to get American Indian adults registered to vote, and reminding them to vote when the time comes, because of historically low voter turnouts for the demographic.

“Years ago, our people wouldn’t vote,” said Puyallup Tribal Councilmember Nancy Shippentower-Games. “I notice more and more Native Americans are voting, and that’s a good thing…because these elections affect us.”

Representatives from the Puyallup, Tulalip, Hoh, Colville and Nisqually tribes were at the convention center decked out in their campaign T-shirts, hats and pins, showing immense support for Democrats in the running, U.S Senators Barack Obama and Joe Biden, Governor Chris Gregoire and U.S. Representative Norm Dicks.

Traditionally, American Indians have favored Demo-cratic candidates over Republicans, largely based on Democrats’ policies on Indian issues, funding and rights.

“This is a big day,” said Tacoma Mayor Bill Baarsma. “This is without a doubt the most significant and important election” in a long time. He told the group of enthusiastic youth, adults and elders the importance getting their friends and families out to vote on Election Day.

“The turnout is key,” he said. “The future of the country and all of us is at stake here.”

Dicks noted the closeness of elections in the past, especially in the 2004 governor’s race, where Gregoire won by a mere 133 votes.

“We have got to elect Chris Gregoire, she has been a strong supporter of the tribes,” Dicks said to an erupting applause. “Let’s hold this thing together for the next two weeks. I think Obama and Biden are going to win this election, but we can’t ease up.”

Following the rally at the convention center, the group boarded Native Vote 2008 buses to the rally at Cheney Stadium with Senator and vice presidential candidate Joe Biden.

The Puyallup Tribe will also be hosting another voters rally in Fife Oct. 25 featuring Gregoire and Dicks, who are up for re-election Nov. 4, as well as County Executive John Ladenburg, who is running for state attorney general.

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