Native American Network gets out Nevada's vote

By: Stephanie Woodard

RENO, Nev. - Longtime Republican strongholds in the Midwest and West appear to be up for grabs in the upcoming presidential election, and Native people are emerging as the key swing vote, according to Democratic Party political strategist Celinda Lake. Speaking for the party, Lake has said, ''We cannot win these key battleground states without a turnout in the Indian vote.''

Enter Kalyn Free, Choctaw, who recognized a historic opportunity to make the nation take notice of indigenous people and their issues.

A former Oklahoma district attorney and Justice Department senior counsel, Free founded the Indigenous Democratic Network, or INDN's List, in 2005. The Oklahoma-based group recruits, trains and funds Democratic Native candidates; of the 28 it has endorsed for state and local offices, 22 have won their races.

In 2006, Free added nonpartisan INDN's List Education Fund, a nonprofit that draws attention to Indian issues with projects including ''Prez on the Rez,'' a conference during which presidential candidates learn about Indian country; training camps for indigenous candidates and their staffers; and Native American Network, a get-out-the-vote campaign.

There's more here: http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096416333