Activist warns Indians could turn to McCain

OKLAHOMA CITY - American Indian activist Kayln Free, a superdelegate to the Democratic National Convention from Oklahoma, has a warning for the prospective nominee of her party: Don't take the Indian vote for granted against Republican John McCain.

Free is president of the Tulsa-based INDN List and the INDN Education Fund. INDN stands for Indigenous Democratic Network. Her organization has been active in electing Indian candidates to office.

She is still a little peeved over the failure of either Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama to attend an the INDN-sponsored presidential forum, known as the "Prez on the Rez," in California last August. Three Democratic candidates who eventually dropped out of the presidential race attended the event: Bill Richardson, Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel.

Free said Clinton first turned down an invitation and Obama followed suit.

"I'm not going to hold a grudge, but I think it was a misstep and a slap in the face" to Indian tribes, Free said. "Unfortunately, Sen. Obama did not step up to the plate, either."

She said the campaigns have tried to smooth over the failure of the candidates to attend, but more needs to be done.

"I'm hoping the candidates will be able to meet with tribal leaders," she said.

"Sen. McCain has a record with Indian country. He has carried a lot of water for tribes over the years. I think it is a grave mistake for the Democratic nominee or these two candidates to think that Indian Country will be there for them just because they are the Democratic nominee.

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