DENVER—The first time Frank Lamere, a Nebraska superdelegate, attended a Democratic National Convention, seeing just one other Native American was a thrill.
It was 1988 and the Democrats were convening in Atlanta. Twenty years later, the Winnebago tribal member beamed with the knowledge that scores of American Indian delegates are attending the DNC in Denver. More than 100 American Indians from more than a dozen tribes attended a First American Caucus on Monday.
“I think Native people have come to the realization that the political process is our only chance for trying to change things,” said LaMere, who chairs the caucus and is an at-large member of the Democratic National Committee. “This party has shortcomings but it can take us where we want to go.”
Though one of the smallest groups represented at the convention, American Indians have a significantly larger presence in Denver than they had in 2004 in Boston, with 143 delegates and four superdelegates, said DNC secretary Alice Germondand.
And as more American Indians get involved, both Republicans and Democrats are reaching out, especially in Western swing states where a small but predominantly Democratic voting bloc has tipped results in recent state and congressional races.
Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean notes there are five U.S. senators, including South Dakota Sen. Tim Johnson, who would not have been elected without American Indian voters.
“You very well know Indian Country has five senators,” Dean said. “This is an extraordinary time for Native Americans.”
Electing more American Indians to office and boosting voter turnout dominated the caucus, which meets again Wednesday.
“We are less than 1 percent of the country’s population, and yet we can elect U.S. senators and congressmen,” said O.J. Semans, an organizer on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation in South Dakota.
LaMere said he hopes there will be nine American Indians on the Democratic National Convention Committee by 2012 to weigh in on the party’s platform. This year there are four.
“When our parties agree with us we’re doing good,” he said.
