PHOTO BY CLARE JENSEN

Tribal Council Chairman Herman Dillon speaks at the Tacoma rally Oct. 19.

Tacoma rally energizes voters

By Clare Jensen

In the first of two major rallies hosted by the Puyallup Tribe, 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 Council-member 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 Democratic 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.”

Norm Dicks noted the closeness of elections in the past.

“We have got to elect Chris Gregoire, she has been a strong supporter of the tribes,”  Norm 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.

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