Debra Gruszecki
The Desert Sun
May 30, 2007
Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Hillary Clinton has declined an invitation to speak at the first-ever, presidential candidate forum in Indian Country, according to organizers of Prez on the Rez at Morongo Casino Resort & Spa.
The forum is slated for Aug. 23 on the reservation of the Morongo Band of Mission Indians near Banning.
Kalyn Free, president of the Tulsa-based INDN’s List Education Fund, said Clinton was invited over six months ago.
This "willingness to ignore Indian voters on the campaign trail has made it clear that she lacks the courage to change lives in Indian County,'' Free said.
Phil Singer, a spokesman for Clinton, said several factors played into her decision. One is, "She will not be in California that day." The other is, "the labor issue."
But Singer stressed that Clinton's decision need not reflect an unwillingness to work on behalf of Native Americans.
She has an "extensive record" in that regard, Singer said, noting Clinton’s efforts to train Native American teachers, set up the first-ever Native American forum in the Senate and co-sponsor Indian health care legislation.
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