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October 3, 2004Political interest grows in Indian communityByRecord-Eagle staff writer PESHAWBESTOWN - Politics never meant much to Angela McGrath, who spends most of her time raising her eight children in this growing Native American community. But this election year is different, she says. "I told myself I'm going to make it a point to go out and vote," said McGrath, who's paying closer attention to both national and state candidates and issues this year - and how those races will impact herself and other tribal interests. Local tribal leaders say there's a growing wave of Indian people becoming more involved in the political scene. "I see a lot more interest," said Robert Kewaygoshkum, chairman of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. "There's more of our people running for tribal offices, more people getting registered (to vote) and getting involved in local issues, too." McGrath said a turning point for her was the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. "I think that 9/11 changed things for me," said McGrath, a member of the Bay Mills Indian Community, while her husband and children are part of the Grand Traverse Band. "It made me think about how things are being run in this country...I think it opened up everybody's eyes a little bit more." George Yannett said his neighbors in the tribal elders' complex also talk about the importance of this year's election. "The elders here know -they know what we had to go through to get where we're at today," said Yannett, an 80-year-old veteran of World War II. Even with the growing economic and political clout of tribes like the Grand Traverse Band, tribal officials say it's still an uphill fight to protect their sovereignty from state and federal intervention. Leaders say both political parties make overtures during the campaign season about improving relations and advancing tribal issues. But interest typically fades after election day, they say. "I don't think they're focused on our issues...only at election time when they need the votes," said George Bennett, a tribal councilor and former chairman who's well-known in political circles in Lansing and Washington. He gives most lawmakers poor marks on dealing with Native American concerns. "I see both (parties) as being kind of derelict in their responsibilities to Indian people," he said. Bennett writes essays for the tribe's newsletter he calls "Remember in November," where he focuses on subjects like dwindling federal support for tribal health care programs and proposed changes in labor laws that could impact Indian casinos and other enterprises. Still, Indian tribes are major players in state and national politics. The Grand Traverse Band gave $25,000 this year to the Democratic National Committee. But its political money flows to both sides of the aisle, as it also donated up to $2,000 to U.S. Rep. Dave Camp, R-Midland and fellow GOP Congressman J.D. Hayworth of Arizona. Prominent Democrats receiving financial support from the band include Rep. Charles Rangel of New York and Rep. Patrick Kennedy of Rhode Island. "As Indian tribes we look far more to the individual and their positions than we look to their party affiliation," said Frank Ettawageshik, chairman of the Petoskey-based Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians. "A good deal of the issues for tribes are really nonpartisan issues." Ettawageshik said there's also growing enthusiasm in his tribe for this year's elections. He suspects it stems in part from several close races in other parts of the country in the last two election cycles swayed by the Indian vote. He also says more members are taking part in tribal elections, and their interest is expanding beyond local politics. "This has encouraged more people to get involved in the political process," he said. "We're not promoting one party over the other as much as we're promoting more engagement in the political process." Most of the homes in Peshawbestown - off M-22 in Leelanau County - are absent the yard signs that indicate political preference, although those who discussed the upcoming election said they lean more toward the Democratic Party and its candidate, Sen. John F. Kerry. "John Kerry seems to have more interest in Native American issues than George Bush," McGrath says. Issues like tribal sovereignty and treaty rights mean a lot to her - but she's also concerned about other topics impacting her family. "That is important to me, but my whole world isn't right here," McGrath said. "The economy and the job market are important issues ... I want my kids to be able to find a good career." McGrath said she's noticed more of her friends and neighbors taking an interest in this year's election. "I think as a community, you're hearing more talk about it," she said. Tribal leaders are encouraged by the growing political awareness in their communities, but said Native Americans and their leaders need to maintain vigilance to move their agenda. "It's up to the tribes themselves to advance the interests of our people," Kewaygoshkum said. "We as a people should push those issues to the forefront."
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