New Mexico in Focus; Episode S6-1 Closed Captioned Tape No. IF-S6-1; Native Voices, Native Votes

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a presentation of New Mexico Public Television. Native Voices Native Votes is funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting in collaboration with the National Center for Outreach and Best Practices in Journalism. Throughout our nation, Native Americans are often overlooked as an important voting block, and their issues are often disregarded. Tonight, in a groundbreaking radio and television event, New Mexico Public Television brings prominent Native Americans face -to -face with New Mexico's candidates for governor. An in -depth look at the issues is next on Native Voices Native Votes. Hello, I'm Conroy Chino, and welcome to Native Voices Native Votes. I will be your host this evening for this very special

program. I would like to extend a welcome to our listening and broadcast audience joining us on KUNM, 89 .9 FM, Errol's Radio, American Indian Radio, which broadcasts around the country by satellite, and CARWG Las Cruces and KE &W in Portellas. Welcome. You know, it wasn't that long ago that Native Americans had little or almost no voice in politics, but the 21st century is shaping up to be a very different time. Native Americans make up a significant part of the state's population, both in urban and rural communities. Many travel reservations have benefited from their rapidly growing economies, developed as a result of Indian gaming. Now, Native Americans have gained recognition as a political and economic force to be dealt with. Tonight's program is unique for a enemy, devoting an hour and a half to discussing issues relevant to Indian people, elected officials, and to the state as a whole. Tonight, a panel of prominent Native Americans will question Republican John Sanchez, Democrat Bill

Richardson, and Green Party candidate David Bacon, the three men running for governor. Let me introduce our panel. They are Richard Zephyr, CEO of the Santa Fe Indian Hospital. Next to him is Verna Teller, the former governor of Isleto Pueblo. Also, Emmett Francis, an urban planner and advisor to former Mayor Jim Baca of Albuquerque. And last is Claudia Vihill Moniz, the president of the Hickory Apache Nation in Northern New Mexico. They, along with myself, will question the candidates in hopes of helping you make an informed decision coming November 5th election day. Now, we have structured our programs so that the candidates appear in the order they will appear on the ballot. We begin tonight with John Sanchez, Republican candidate for governor, Mr. Sanchez, has risen quickly in New Mexico's politics in a short amount of time. In

1998, he was elected trustee for the village of Los Ranchals, and in 2000, won a seat in the New Mexico House of Representatives by defeating a 30 -year Democratic incumbent. And just two years later, Mr. Sanchez has set his sights on the governor's office, Mr. Sanchez. Thank you very much for joining us this evening, and taking time out of your very busy campaign schedule. Thank you. Well, it's my pleasure to be here, Conroy. One of the things that I like to pose off the top is how you plan to deal with this issue of government to government relations. Some tribal leaders, we've talked to say that it's deteriorated over the last couple of years, over the last couple of administrations. Others say, well, it's remained about the same. Others tell us, you know, it's basically lip service, but I know that some of our panelists also have raised that as an issue in some of the question and answer period that we've had prior to our show, but maybe we can start with that topic, that issue. But I'd like to turn it over to one of our panelists, and that is the president of the Hickory Patch Nation, Claudia, and Yisofihil.

Good evening. You've sat in the legislature, and you're familiar with all the issues that affect Indian country, gaming, taxation, education, sovereignty, water, environment. I want to know how you're going to bring the government to government relationship for the Indian tribes in New Mexico, and should you get elected? Well, let me say that my background, I think, is pertinent to this particular question. I'm native to New Mexico, and I have a rich and proud history. My family ties go back to this state before it became a state, and as we look at how we respect our cultures and our history, I think very much so I can relate to Native Americans, as I've had the opportunity to travel around our beautiful state and visit with our Native Americans, whether they're in Gallup or in Northern New Mexico or down south. We share a common bond, and that common bond being that we have ties to this

state. There's a mutual respect, if you will. And I plan to bring that type of history and passion to this particular office, specifically on those issues that are important. Government to government relations, I understand the importance of sovereignty, and I respect those. Just the other day, I had the opportunity to visit with the eight Northern Pueblo Indians, and I had an opportunity to sit down and visit and address the governors of those eight Northern Pueblo's. And it was a wonderful experience, because I said, look, my hope is, is that when elected governor of the state of New Mexico, that I will have a seat at this particular table, and extend it that also to the governors, to the roundhouse. So I look forward to working, dealing with the issues that are so important to New Mexico. They do cover a wide range. Yes, economic development, gaming, obviously, water now is a very big issue, addressing many parts of the state, and especially to those people who live on Native American lands, economic development, education. I was raised that way, and that's part of my culture, that's part of my

traditions, and I look to using those full force in dealing government to government with our Native American friends. Mr. Sanchez, what's your interpretation of government to government relations between the state and the individual tribes in New Mexico? Well, I think it has to be based on, number one, that you have to acknowledge that that exists, and I do. Conroy, I've seen working as a state legislator, having my experience on the local level and working with Native American groups out there. I understand and respect that, and I honor it. And so when I talk about government to government relationships, you have to, number one, respect it, understand it, and then be willing to go out and engage. Everything in life is about relationships, whether they be personal, professional, and obviously political. And so I extend that to the people who, to the Native Americans of this state, looking forward to working as a partner in dealing with the future of our problems in the state. But what does that mean? Can you be more specific in

creating this partnership with tribes? I mean, do you plan to appoint Native Americans to your office? Should you get elected? Do you plan to raise the office of Indian Affairs to a cabinet level position? Do you plan to put Native Americans in key management or policy -making positions? What exactly would, if you're elected governor, which would you do? There are many ways of dealing with those. Obviously that particular office of Indian Affairs is very crucial to New Mexico. Bringing stakeholders to the table, as I look within my administration, I would like to think that my administration would be well represented by our diverse cultures in our state, our Hispanic, our Native American, our Anglo -African American, all cross sections of our state, and bringing those people who understand those issues forefront. Part of our challenges in this particular campaign, as in any campaign, is making certain that we understand issues. And we've made it a primary priority to go out and to work with our Native American friends. A good example of how we do that is spending time on Native American land, just the other day in Gallup, New Mexico, working with the

different people, going to different communities, going to hospitals that deal directly with Indian concerns. I look forward to doing that as well as governor, and you'll see that my administration will be represented very much so of the people of this state. Panel, satisfy for the answers, or do you have any more follow -up questions? I'd like to follow up with a similar question, Mr. Sanchez, I'm Verna Teller from Esleta. As you well know, tribes historically here in the state of New Mexico were pretty quiet and kept to ourselves, and things seemed to be, you know, that was okay as long as we were making any waves or... But recently we've come into the economic realm here in the state of New Mexico, and the tribes as a result of Indian gaming, which over several years has been a contentious issue between the states, the state of New Mexico, and the tribes, and coming to some sort of resolution about revenue sharing. That has

occurred, the compacts have been signed, we have the 8 % revenue sharing, and so that's just part of it. The tribes have contributed $380 million or so into the state coffers, and some additional millions in state income taxes, and other kinds of revenues that are generated by native people here in New Mexico. We shop in all cities and towns, we buy our clothes, our cars, our groceries, so we're paying lots of taxes and it's all going into state coffers. Historically, we haven't seen that kind of compensation back to the tribe or a renumeration back to the tribe for what we contribute into the state coffers. Vernon, is that your question? Yes, what do you plan to do to put some of that benefit back into the native communities to help us to recoup some of the expenses that we make on our lands to help people that are non -Indian coming onto our lands, i .e. medical services, law enforcement, and those

kinds of things? Let me say that I understand those issues, and in the bean estate legislator I've seen the benefits, tremendous amount of revenue that is generated by Indian gaming, and was part of the legislature this last session that voted on the new compacts. As governor, let me just clarify that I'll enforce the current compacts, and we'll oppose any off gaming, off reservation, off not Indian land gaming, because I think that would violate the compacts themselves, so I want to be clear about that. One of the issues that has come up as I travel and talk to Native Americans, and I have visited different problos and tribes, has simply been the disparity in how that capital outlayed monies have been funneled back to, we have tremendous needs, and having the opportunity to expose myself to them. I've always said that I'd like to be a governor who really walks among the people, and that starts by going out and seeing tremendous needs out there. I believe that the capital outlay process is a good example that it should be equitable to

all new Mexicans, including Native Americans as well. I just want to have just one more quick follow up to that. That's fine and well, and I think that yes, we see some small amounts of capital outlaying when we go into the tribes. However, there are a number of other needs that the tribes have, especially because we have so many state highways, for example, that go through our lands, we have the interstate highway that goes through our lands, and we're not seeing, for example, law enforcement, road monies coming in for road improvements, those kinds of things. How will you facilitate that process to make sure that we are getting our fair share of those monies as not only tribal people, but also citizens of the state of New Mexico? Every taxpayer in the state of New Mexico should be benefit from how we generate revenue in this state, and how it goes back to those particular areas. You mentioned highways, you talked about law enforcement, health care. The state of New Mexico has to be and have a seat at the table with Native Americans, and I look forward to doing

that. In as much so as the idea of making certain that it's fair and equitable, I'm very discouraged when I travel parts of states that are have tremendous needs, and I would think that Native Americans are one of them. We should perhaps look at where the Indian gaming revenue money is going. I'm a little concerned that that money goes directly into the general fund. Some people may refer to it as the black hole. We don't know how to account for it. Maybe looking at ways of utilizing those monies to go back into communities that really are needed, where it's really being generator fun. Again, that's the ability to have a government who will simply bring those stakeholders to the table, and that's what I intend to do. I look forward to working with the Native Americans, because the needs are tremendous across the state. Let me say that in the big picture of things, in New Mexico, we always look at making and cutting thinner and thinner slices of a shrinking economic pie. Part of my vision for New Mexico, and it goes across the state, is being

able to grow the entire economic pie. We need to look at ways of having economic development across the state, not just in the large urban areas, but in rural areas of the state of New Mexico, so that we have the resources in order to be able to take care of our citizens, more effectively, whether those be infrastructure roads, health care, law enforcement. It's all about growing the economic pie, and we have a plan for doing that as far as our economic development plan and our tax reform plan as well. Yeah, talking about needs and what you could possibly do if you were elected governor. My name is Emmett Francis. I worked with the City of Awakirky. I did work with former Mayor Baca as the assistant for Indian Affairs in his office, so I wanted to find out from you what you can do to address the issues that urban Indians face in the City of Awakirky as well as in other cities. The

urban Indian population is growing, and in the whole country, over 60 % of the Indians now live in the urban areas. However, they're kind of forgotten in the whole governmental structure, whether it's tribal, whether it's federal, whether it's state, even local government. We feel we don't have representation in the local government as well as the state government, and therefore we're kind of just out there trying to address our needs and our issues and so forth. So what can you do to get us involved, make sure that our issues and our problems are addressed? The needs and with, as the pertains to urban, the Indians who live in urban areas, let's address education for one. My wife is a graduate of Rio Grande High School, and obviously they have a fairly large Indian population that goes to the school. And when we look at the high dropout rate

among Native Americans in urban areas, it's alarming, almost 50%. When you talk to Native Americans, you don't have the opportunity to visit the Santa Fe Indian School and look at the programs that they have in place there, and how that they're empowering Native Americans through education. Education was the ticket out of poverty for me as a young boy growing up in Awakirky's North Valley. If we look at the opportunities available that make themselves to Native Americans as well, education has to be the ticket. I think if we're going to address urban Native American concerns, we have to look at really the core issue. We have to be able to make a commitment to educating every New Mexican, including Native Americans in urban areas. Jobs that are available, we talk about the ability to educate our children, but will there be a job for Native Americans when they graduate high school or college? We have to make sure that we prepare them properly, that there's a job waiting for them. Everybody,

whether you're Native American or Hispanic or Anglo, we all basically want to do those same things when we wake up in the morning, and that is we want to live that American dream, if you will. We want to have a family, we want to be able to educate our kids go. I look forward to working with, as governor, my education plan that calls for a true reform, so that every New Mexico child, including Native American children, will have an equal opportunity to a good education, which really is the ticket, I believe. John, one of the things that was, I'm sorry, go ahead, Emily. I'd like to hear a little more specific ideas about what you would do, say in the executive branch, to have Native Americans that live in the city have more of a voice right now. We don't really have a voice because the structures, such that basically the tribal communities are getting some kind of a voice in the executive, as well as the legislative branch by those that represent them. But as far as the urban ending, I feel that

we don't have access to your office, if you were elected, we don't have direct access to the legislative part of it. So in order for us to bring you problems in education, to drop out rate, to high non -attentance rate, to low scores and all of that, we can't do that unless somehow we've gotten avenue to get that to your office if you were elected. Well, I think improving the, and strengthening the office of Indian Affairs is a good, a good condo to do that. And that's my pledge to Native Americans here in New Mexico, a elected governor, is to improve that office and make it a priority so that it does have access to the executive. It's crucial that the people have the ability to communicate with their governor. And again, being Native to New Mexico and understanding and realizing a lot of the issues that pertain to the average citizen out there, I bring a certain amount of personal experience to that. I want to see every New Mexican including Native Americans to be empowered. And so that's a good

vehicle, improving in the office of Indian Affairs so that you do have access, that you do have a voice in my administration. It's something that we'll improve. Just this past legislative session, lawmakers passed the Indian Education Act, got to the governor's office, it was vetoed. This act would have created the Indian Education, a new Indian Education Division would have reset standards for teacher training, curriculum sensitivity, counseling for Indian dropouts, parent and community involvement. If a similar bill ended up on your desk, if you were elected governor, would you sign it? Conor, I would look at it very close. My emphasis when it comes to education, and it always has to be, will be on the child, the priorities. We talk about making certain that, well, let me clarify. The benchmark question when it comes to education should be, not how much money are we spending, but our children actually learning. Every decision that I make,

every bill that comes up to my desk as governor, will have that priority. Will this benefit children? Will children have the opportunity to learn? The relationship between the child, the parents of that child, and the person, the school teacher, will be always a priority conroy. I'm not going to commit whether or not I would sign that particular bill. The devil's in the details as always. But when you have passion about education, and when you look at what's in the best interest of the child, that will be the decision making when it comes to me signing into a piece of law, a piece of legislation. So right now, if there was a bill, you would hold off until you had a chance to look at it. Well, why don't you answer? Well, again, when you look at legislation, it's almost impossible to be able to say determine whether or not you're going to support or not until you have the opportunity to look at it. There's so many details in a piece of legislation. It's not very simple to do. I think the people of New Mexico expect from their leaders, and especially their governor, somebody who will take the time

to look at a piece of legislation, see what the long term effects of this, and whether or not it truly affect is going to benefit the child as it pertains to education. You know, another area that affects Indian children in this state is health. And one of our panelists is the CEO for the Indian Hospital in Santa Fe, and he's got some concerns about this issue. Good evening, Mr. Sanchez. I'm Richard Zephyr, CEO from Santa Fe, the question I have has to do with escalating healthcare costs in the United States and New Mexico, particularly New Mexico. The primary focus of healthcare should be on the patient. You've talked about plans a few minutes ago. What type of plan do you have in place to support the healthcare issues and access for patients in New Mexico? Well, understanding that the primary responsibility for healthcare and the tribes and the nations is with the federal Indian Health Services, but my healthcare plan focuses on some primary ideas. One, we have to be able to retain and attract

good doctors. That is one of the reasons why as a state legislator, I carried the bill for the last two legislative sessions that would have removed the gross receipts tax that doctors in New Mexico have to pay. Or one of only two states that require this. So we talk about the lack of good physicians in our state and the challenges with healthcare. I think this is a big issue. Medicare reimbursements, I look forward to working with our congressional delegation. Congresswoman Heather Wilson today has taken the lead. Obviously, New Mexico should be able to receive the same type of reimbursements as other states. If we're able to enact this and it's fair and comp and it's the proper amount of reimbursement, immediately you'll see a big impact on how medical services are dealt with here. Medicaid is a big issue in our state of New Mexico. We have to look at the large amounts of enrollment with Medicaid. Part of the problem is that we have so little commercial coverage in our state of New Mexico. By

providing opportunity, by growing the economic pride, by providing an environment that's conducive to the private sector to flourish, I believe a big part of dealing with healthcare problems in our state is the ability to attract higher, better paying jobs. And with some of the benefits that come with it, so we can perhaps reduce the amount of enrollment when it comes to Medicaid. Make no mistake about it though. We're always going to provide a safety net for those people in greatest need. Children obviously are seniors to make that available. So we have some concerns, but again, removal of the gross receipts tax on physicians, looking at the Medicare reimbursement, dealing with Medicaid together. And I believe overall, the ability to grow the economic pie so we can provide more private health insurance and thereby reduce the amount of healthcare costs in New Mexico. How about nurses? We have a drastic shortage of nurses in New Mexico and in health services. What type of a plan do you have in mind for recruiting

more nurses for our state? Well, by all means, some people say that the really great need is among nursing more so than it is doctors in our state. We have to be able to make certain that nursing has an opportunity. Right now, if you look at how other states are recruiting today. I was just visiting and had a briefing yesterday with a nursing advocate. The state of California is actually taking our nurses outside. They'll fly a nurse to California, put them up for three or four days, pay for the housing expenses, fly them back, give them four days off. We're exporting our best and our brightest. Nursing has to be a top priority. It's the ability to make sure that we have proper education, support for nursing, that we work with the care providers in the state so that there's opportunities for nurses to walk into. And we need to be able to attract better nurses as well. And more nurses because right now our nurses are overworked. And I think they're reaching burnout today. Mr. Sanchez, we just have a couple more minutes. If you could tell us quickly, how do you plan to bring the Indian vote? Or how do you plan to get out the Indian vote as the main

representative of the Republican Party now? And how do you include Native Americans in the Republican Party? Quickly, if you would. Conor, I think that my message is fundamentally correct. Whether it be for Native Americans, Hispanic, or Angles, does make a bit of difference. When we talk about doing things differently, about providing the hand up through education, through a good paying job, economic development versus the handout. The people of New Mexico, Native Americans want to live that American dream. We have to provide an environment that they can live that. I think Native Americans can look at somebody like myself, understand that I, understanding poverty, the challenges, working hard, climbing the ladder of success, through education, through empowerment, taking advantage of opportunity. That message is resonating with Native Americans because they want to live that. How do we go out and get it? You know, and you can run all the media and television commercials and radio buys. But it's a governor who will go out and walk and work among Native Americans. Tomorrow, I look forward to being in Laguna, Akima,

shaking hands, asking Native Americans for their vote. All right. I'd like to extend the next minute and a half to you to spend some time giving us your closing remarks, closing statements, your viewpoints, perhaps, on issues that affect and are relevant to Native Americans. Well, I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to be here. As I said in my opening remarks, I am Native to New Mexico. I have a bold vision for this state. I believe that the best days of New Mexico are truly ahead of us. New Mexico will have a clear choice come November. Do we want a career politician? Do we want the status quo? Do we want things to go back to the way they were? Uncheck power. Are we looking for somebody who doesn't, has never made a payroll, who doesn't understand that real issues pertaining to all New Mexicans? If that's what you're looking for in

a governor, then I'm not your candidate. But if you're looking for somebody who will work hard to lower taxes, who will work hard to bring economic development, somebody who knows what it is to need a job, somebody who knows what it is to create a job, somebody who will work hard to reform education so that we can empower our children, somebody who will not allow for unchecked power and Santa Fe, but will work hard to bring people together, Republicans, Democrats, Independents. If that's what you're looking for in a governor, then I'm your man. Thank you so much for having me. Well, thank you very much for taking time out again of your busy campaign schedule and good luck in your bid for a governor. You've just heard from Republican candidate John Sanchez. We have more ahead in this hour and a half of our election coverage, election 2002. For 15 years, he was in Congress representing New Mexico before serving in President Clinton's cabinet. Now Bill Richardson is seeking the governor's office in New Mexico.

We'll meet him next. Stay tuned. Welcome back to Native Voices, Native Votes. Bill Richardson has a long, standing, extensive political career. Among the highlights are U .S. Congressman from Northern New Mexico, U .S. Ambassador to the United Nations and U .S. Secretary of Energy. During his career, he was the president of the United States. He has faced Saddam Hussein, dealt with alleged espionage to the nation's new territories, but now wants to reenter the world of New Mexico politics. The next seven weeks could be the most critical in his bid for governor. He joins us tonight to talk about his campaign. Welcome, Mr. Richardson. Thank you, Congressman.

Thank you for joining us. You know, one of the biggest concerns that tribes and tribal leaders seem to have is this issue of government to government relations. Or perhaps the lack of it between states and individual tribes. Tribes, as you know, from your experience in U .S. government are considered sovereign nations. The U .S. courts have reaffirmed that. Yet, in talking to some tribal leaders, they seem to feel that state government doesn't treat them as equals. And one of those who has some very serious concerns about that is the Hickorya -Apac nation's president, Claudia Maniz. Claudia? Good evening, Mr. Richardson. I thank you for this opportunity. Historically, the Hickoryas have gone back and forth to the state legislator for assistance with whatever may be assistance with government. Governmental services that the state, that the tribe feels that they too are entitled

to. Unfortunately, we've never been recipients of very much. And should you get elected? What do you plan to do in maintaining that government -to -government relationship so that the tribes will benefit off of the services, just like any other New Mexico citizen will. Well, for one, I've been to Hickorya, and I know what you're talking about. I would treat the tribes as a partnership, a government -to -government relationship, respecting tribal sovereignty. It is true that state government and the tribes have gone apart in the last eight years. I would attempt to restore that by taking several steps. One, regular consultations with Native American leaders, a summit that would deal with issues relating to Native Americans. I would have a Native American or

two in my cabinet. I would order state personnel to recruit more Native Americans. I would appoint Native Americans to the highway commission, to water commissions. Bring them in to state government. Bring them in as leaders. I think too often we treat the Native American as an afterthought. But the cornerstone would be basically a respect for sovereignty that we're dealing with sovereign nations. And it's also inclusivity. Bringing in for decision -making before a governor makes decisions on economic development or jobs or tourism or water. I would bring the tribes in. Just as I did as a congressman for 15 years, representing the Northern Pueblos, Southern Pueblos, and Navajos, and the Hickorya. Would you appoint someone to your office or to a

cabinet level position? Someone who's of Native American descent? Yes, I will have a Native American in my staff. I would raise the office of Indian affairs to cabinet level. I think that would give that office more clout. And I would appoint a Native American to the cabinet. We haven't had a Native American in the cabinet in over 15 years. I think that's wrong. I think that Native Americans need to be more part of state government. There are other key positions. And as I said, when it comes to boards and commissions. I would also seek out Native Americans not going to be trying to get votes, but because I think if we're going to resolve the problems in our state, whether they be health care or water, or economic development, or higher paying jobs. I think there's too much tension, too much division between our peoples. Inclusivity would be a cornerstone of my relationship with the Native Americans.

Any more questions from our panelists regarding the state -to -state government relationship or state -to -tribal relationship? I would like to ask something. Mr. Richardson, some of that tension that you mentioned a little bit ago between the tribes and the states, I think has sort of been exacerbated over the last few years around the gaming issue. And you know, and I don't know how many people out there know that the tribes have generated approximately $380 million this year. Or in a year from the 8 % revenue sharing that the tribes give to the state of New Mexico from their gaming activities. And I'm not sure. I think we have 10 or 12 gaming tribes here in the state of New Mexico. Because most of the tribes are located right off interstates, interstate freeways. We have many state highways that go through our reservation. And many of the tribes are

putting out services for law enforcement, traffic control, emergency medical services. These services are coming out of or are being paid by the tribes funds. How do you plan to share some of this or how do you plan to alleviate some of the burden on the tribes to pay for some of these services that we don't get reimbursed for by non -tribal people who are traversing through our lands. And how do we become a part of that $380 million that we're sharing with the state? We're not seeing that coming back, even though we're seeing a lot of employment by non -tribal members in our casinos. Well, the president of Hickory, I wanted to say to her as I say to you that I think the state needs to play a more active role in providing services to the Indian tribes. It shouldn't just be the federal government, the Indian Health Service. So I'd like to see the state play more of a positive role in

helping many of these areas that you mentioned. Now, as far as the gaming tribes, I think we're going to have to have some consultations about how we share better. Not just the state, but the counties and cities. You mentioned that several gaming tribes perform those services. That is true. And there should be a way of cost sharing. There should be a better way of establishing responsibilities. And a lot of that is consultation. I would have meetings with the Indian leaders every quarter. And I would see, let's look at our entire cabinet, the whole spectrum of our relationship. And how can we make it better? I want to also tie in a certain group of Native Americans that basically have been forgotten both by the tribes and by the various governments that operate in the state of New Mexico, which is the urban indents. There are several thousand urban

indents that are living in the cities now. And there are more and more that are moving to the cities because of certain legislation, welfare to work. You have to have a job in order to get up welfare and so forth. So what I want to find out from you, especially since the U .S. over 60 % of us are now in the urban areas, what would you propose to try to address the forgotten population which is the urban indents? And they basically have been forgotten about pretty much all the government agencies including the federal agencies. I would agree with your premise. When I say that I will appoint Native Americans to state government, that would also include urban indians. Urban indians are forgotten. I've met with a group of urban indians in Albuquerque. And for instance, there's a very serious gap in the area of health care because urban

indians can't get reimbursed from the Indian Health Service or from private hospitals or HMOs for medical services when the work is done at a private hospital. I think that's a significant deficiency. A Native American on the reservation can get that reimbursement just because you live in an urban area, be it Albuquerque or Gallup, you shouldn't have that happen to you. I'm also concerned about health care facilities, community centers in urban areas for urban indians. And I think we have to see ourselves as once again being inclusive within the Indian nation. So I would reach out as I have. I've had several meetings with urban Indian leaders. I've been to the urban center in Albuquerque and I've pledged to help them raise money to make that a stronger community center for cultural and all types of other activities. But urban indians are forgotten and in the Richardson administration they won't be. Just a follow

-up question, just as it was mentioned, there's a certain amount of money that's going in from the casinos to the state. And some of the urban representatives have talked about returning some of that money to either non -gaming tribes or to the urban population. What are your thoughts on that? Well, I think we have to look at gaming revenues and find ways to make sure that the state is spending them on behalf of our people. For instance, in some parts of the states in southern New Mexico, there's an effort at Sunland Park at the racetrack there to put some of the funds to help some of the people in Sunland Park that have serious sewer and infrastructure problems, a certain percentage. I'd be willing to discuss this with tribes. I think that the state and the federal government and the tribes need to have one more

discussion on gaming. I think the compacts are working well, by the way. I was one of the authors of the Indian Gaming Act and the Congress. I think the gaming is working well. It's good for New Mexico as some 30 ,000 employed. But if there are ways we can distribute the funds better, more equitably, to ensure that they go to help people, that they go to help in certain activities, I'm willing to discuss that. Mr. Richardson, this is kind of what you know. For our radio listeners out there, I just want to identify myself as well as maybe the other panelists, when you ask a question, please identify yourselves. We have been heard over KUNM and Errol's radio. But I was curious about specifics that you would offer or recommend to the state legislatures since they do have the handle on purse strings. What would be your recommendation in terms of, you know, Verna Taylor mentioned earlier, the $380 plus million that's going to go into state coffers as part of the revenue sharing from casino tribes. What would you say to lawmakers, how would they

give back to tribes in terms of services and appropriated amounts? Well, what I would say, first of all, is capital outlays that the legislature does many times forget Native American peoples. I would ensure that capital outlays, these are funds for water projects, schools, hospitals, and include the Indian tribes. I would bring them into the early decision making process based on planning, a five -year plan instead of the way we do it in a very hath hazard way. Number two, I would say that I would not expand gaming beyond what we have now in the Indian casinos. In other words, other entities. I think we've got gaming established. The Native Americans are doing it. I would not go beyond that, the kind of gaming activities they do. Thirdly, Indian petroleum services, the Indian gas exemption. That's part of this whole process. I would

keep that. I would try to make it work better. I would not find ways to deal with dual taxation issues that infringe on tribal sovereignty. I think a lot of what I'm talking about, Conroy, is that, you know, the tribes, there's been these discussions, and it's mainly in the newspaper, mainly attacks on each other. And I want to bring the tribes in the legislature, and I think there should be more legislators that are Native American. Into the process, to discuss these issues, how can we share as a family, a New Mexico family, the Hispanic, the Native American, the Anglo, the African American, because we're a state that's divided. And these are some very important issues that you're talking about. I want some of that gaming money to help the state, but I also think it makes sense to say that the Native American people need hospitals, health care, roads, infrastructure. This is why I'm saying, in the major power committees and commissions in the state, I want to bring Native Americans in, in the decision -making

positions, not out on the fringes. Panelists and more questions? My name is Richard Zepp here, the CEO for the Santa Fe Service Unit. And I recently read an article by Steve Kamadina, and he talks about access to health care. And he says, we have the opportunity to place a higher emphasis on making basic health care services more. More easily accessible. And that affects Indians as well, Indian people in the state of New Mexico and nationally. Basically, we have a right to good health care. In this regard, as if you're a elected governor, what two things could you do to help the HMOs and MCOs Indian Health Service facilities be a better plan to help access care for Native Americans? Well, one of the two would be to ensure that there's what is called the Native American Carvout in the salute contract, unmedicate, that permits Native Americans to have the flexibility to

have that program. I would keep that, but I would try to make the HMO better, the relationship with the HMO better for the whole state, for every citizen, and that would benefit the Native American. Secondly, in the health department at the state level, I would appoint a Native American component of liaison to ensure that health care access for the Native American is done a lot better than it has been. Now, I know this is also a federal function, but I particularly worry about the increasing high rates of Native Americans and hepatitis C, in alcoholism, in teen suicide right now. These are epidemics, substance abuse, and I don't want to just say that we're going to let the Indian Health Service that it's a federal function. I want to have a Native American strategy that deals with these issues at the state level, and I think that our health department and our human services department have not

done enough to deal with the health care needs of our Native Americans, and particularly concerned about the Navajo reservation. I'm particularly concerned by some of the reservation areas that are more rural than urban. I have another question. Mr. Richardson mentioned earlier that you would like to see more Indian people involved in leadership positions. As the formal leader of the Democratic Party in state in Mexico once you're elected, if you're elected, how would you work with your party to get Native Americans involved at all levels of the political process? Is this ranging from the precinct to the community to the state? Well, you know, all of us have worked together to try to increase the Native American vote, and we've failed. We've got to do better. We've got to show Indian people that elections are important, and this are tribal elections to the participation is low. So it has to be the leadership of the Indian people and the state and the Democratic Party that

basically says to the Indian people, you know, these are issues that are dear to the future of the Indian community, and it affects all of us. I worry about the high rate of participation. We're going to have a massive get out the vote effort in the Democratic Party with the Indian people. I hope we succeed. I think what will help us on the Navajo reservation, there's a very spirited and hot presidential race. That would help with a turnout. But we have to find ways to get the Indian people to participate more in the political process. It's been the fault of leaders like myself and others. But also, I think Indian leaders need to make that point with their own people. I'd just like to say, Mr. Richardson, just to respond a little bit to a comment you made. Excuse me, Vernon. Could you identify yourself just for the... Yes, I'm sorry. My name is Bernard Teller. I'm a former governor of a slettapueblo. Our experience, at least in my community, is that we have a very large voter turnout when we have elections. I think the reason why the tribes are not so

excited about taking part in some of the elections beyond our lands is because we don't feel part of that. We don't feel part of the whole. And so what I'm hearing from you is that that's something that you're planning to do is to make us feel like we're part of that whole. Do you plan to visit with all of the tribal leaders here in the state of New Mexico or what plans do you have to create that feeling among the native people that we are part of this process? Well, you know, I've been to his letter. I've been to the Ten Southern Pueblos. I've been to the Eight Northern Pueblos. I've been endorsed by the Navajo people, the Navajo Congress. I've been endorsed by the Eastern Navajo Agency by the Mescalero Apache's, by the Hickory's too. I've been to the Pueblos. I've sat face to face with governors. I feel that showing that respect

is very important. That I go to the reservation and I go to the Pueblos. I believe that I will get strong Native American support, but I'm not taking it for granted. What I think is important is that we have a dual effort at trying to get the vote out. We certainly will at the state level, and I believe that part of Indian civic education should be to just, especially the young people that don't vote across the board, to get them to participate more in the political process because it's so important. This is President Vihilmanese. Mr. Richardson, to continue on the conversation that Verna question, I want to add, and I think this might be a good suggestion to you in terms of how to get this vote

out. But I think it goes to the point where in New Mexico, there was a point in time when part of our education process required students to take a Southwest history course. Within that Southwest history course, there was a component in the Indian population. That, to me, is real important, and I think that that's a place to start because if we don't start educating our children about who we are, where we come from, and especially what role we play in the state, as well as this also can be applied at the national level of how we get the message out, because what I'm seeing across the countries that we're not letting the general population know who we are. What's your question to the two candidates, Richardson? I want to know what you would do to make that change

in the education component, because right now in the state of New Mexico, in the curriculum, there is nothing that encourages anyone in the state, not even our own children to pick up on a Native American history course or anything. Right now, it's crucial, because if we don't have anything, any changes come about within our own state to begin this process, we're not going to be able to move forward, so to speak. I want to know what you plan to do on the education component about how we're given more recognition, so to speak. Well, I would first sign the Indian Education Act, which Governor Johnson vetoed, which provides for Native American curriculum, Native American language. I think the language of the Indian people is very important, and that'd be brought to Indian youth. This legislation

was vetoed. I would make sure it would have a stronger component. I would appoint an Indian to the Higher Education Board. There are no Indians on that at this moment. I would ensure, for instance, that when we have issues relating to the Commission on Higher Education, that we have Regents that are Native American, that we have scholarship programs directed at Native Americans, that we have a K through 12 curriculum, that is sensitive to Native Americans. I would also look at something that really disturbs me. I learned that in the sand of all, in the Cuba actually, school district, some of the Navajo kids are not going to school because the buses break down. I think we've really got to look at some fundamentals. I want to recruit more Native American teachers. I want to give them incentives to go to rural areas. I want to have scholarship programs for Native American teachers, and

we have a teacher shortage. There's so much that we need to do that means collaboration, and the state can play a role. Native Americans are citizens of this country and citizens of New Mexico too. But in so many areas, education, health care, economic development, tourism, I want to promote the Indian gaming and Indian sites, and so that that pumps more funds into Native American tribes. We don't give Indians recognition enough when it comes to promoting our state and tourism too. How would you address the dropout rate, Mr. Richardson? We were talking to a local Indian leader here recently who told us she's some very scary statistics about the dropout rate here in the Albuquerque Public School District. I think he quoted to us as many as half the students, or 49 percent, close to half of the students, dropout. And it just seemed that there wasn't very much being done to

concentrate on Indian students in public education when it came to the dropout rate. I would first of all have some peers in the Indian community, and it is teachers recruit more Native American teachers, so there's more of a peer relationship. I would secondly create advanced placement programs for Indian kids, not just the at -risk kids, but all of them as they do in some school districts. I would have dropout strategies that involve more after school activities, more parental involvement. I would try to find ways to enhance professional training of teachers to make the classes more exciting. I'd build smaller schools. The class ratio, I think, is much too large. And finally, there's too much bureaucracy in our schools.

I want to put more money into computers and classroom teaching. Rather than on bureaucracy and vendors, that would help students stay in school. Thank you very much, Mr. Richardson. As always, we have way too many questions, but not enough time. I'd like to allow you some time, last or a couple minutes here of our show, to give you a chance to maybe give us your closing statements, closing remarks related to Native American issues. I would be a governor that would really work at strengthening the partnership between the state and the tribes and the Native American people. That hasn't happened. Now, I don't have to prove myself to Native Americans because I've been a champion in the Congress sponsoring legislation on the Indian Religious Act, on health care, on national parks, on so many issues. But I am back after five years serving in the President's Cabinet. What I want to say to the

tribes is that we need a relationship based on respect and trust, where tribes are included in decision making. I have said that I will appoint Native Americans to keep positions, boards and commissions that affect water, that affect roads, that affect infrastructure and education. I would also send a message that gaming is a part of New Mexico's economy, and it is working well, but maybe there are ways we can make it better and more equitable. I would send a message too that Indians have had mistrust of non -Indians for many years. A lot of it is justified. But I think when they see Bill Richardson with his record and my commitment that this will be different. This will be a new era in our relationship. And I believe that I deserve that chance, and I want Native Americans to give me that opportunity to show that Bill Richardson

remains being their champion. Bill, thank you very much. Democratic candidate for Governor Bill Richardson, thank you again for your time and good luck to your campaign. We have one more candidate, excuse me, left in our show. He is a member of the Green Party. The Green Party of New Mexico has made numerous attempts to leave its mark on New Mexico's political landscape, and this election year really is no different. Stay tuned as we meet David Bacon, the third candidate for Governor, the man trying to build a viable third party choice for New Mexico's voters. Welcome back. You are watching and listening to Native Voices, Native votes. David Bacon is an energy consultant from Santa Fe, New Mexico.

As the gubernatory candidate for the Green Party, he is focusing his campaign on issues such as environmental protection, support for local businesses, and clean energy generation. His biggest challenge, though, is probably letting voters know who he is. Not long ago, the Green Party became a force to be reckoned with in New Mexico politics. But during the 2000 election, voters returned to the traditional parties. Now, David Bacon faces a simultaneous task of seeking the governor's office as well as rebuilding his political party. Welcome, Mr. Bacon. Thank you. Onward, joining us and taking time out of your busy campaign schedule to meet with me and our panelists. I'd like to start by having you answer some questions or concerns from our panelists regarding government to government relations, relationships between tribes, individual tribes, 22 of them here in New Mexico, and state government. And one tribal leader joining us is the president of the Hickory Apache tribe, President Claudia Vihil

-Munes, and she has some concerns about that issue. Good evening. I'm just curious to know how you plan to treat government to government relationships. We have a lot of issues in the state of New Mexico that impact us primarily gaming, taxing education, sovereignty, water environment. How do you plan to implement government to government relationship? Well, it's a good question, and I am running with a Native American as a lieutenant governor, and she'll keep me in line on all of these issues. I really feel that Indian sovereignty is something that is essential, and that should be honored at every level of government to government relations. So the more we can begin to work from a place of mutuality, respect, and reciprocity in

the two governmental relation areas, the better. I feel like Indian sovereignty has been compromised, clearly over the last hundreds of years. And I know right now the Treaty of Guadalupe Adalgo is an important issue for land -grant participants, but it also includes the Indian treaty rights, etc. I feel like there needs to be a lot of repair done. I've talked to Kathy about this, and I would put her on basically as a full -time Indian affairs lieutenant governor. So this administration would be absolutely in the forefront of honoring Indian sovereignty at every level. It looks to me like the Office of

Indian Affairs is doing pretty well, and I think that's a good way to interact. I would like to see a lot more sitting down around the table and discussing issues in depth, and I would like to see a lot more community involvement, community input that we honor also at the state level. I'd like to ask a follow -up question by me, Mr. Bacon. Can you give us more specifics of how you plan to implement this government relationship? Because I think tribal leaders in the past that I've heard from say that oftentimes they're given lip service, that oftentimes this comes down to tokenism. One of your opponents said that they'd be willing to hire more Native Americans, they might even include them in the governor's office, or perhaps even appoint someone as a cabinet level position. There was even talk of elevating the Office of Indian Affairs to possibly that cabinet level,

or given a cabinet level status. Give us some specifics of what exactly you would do to implement this government relationship, or better it. Well, specifics, at this point, I think don't do it. Simply hiring more Native Americans, et cetera. I don't feel this essentially gets to the root of the question. I feel it's a matter of respect at every level of interaction. Kathy is an indigenous person, and we have worked together as a team, and we'll continue to work together as a team. So the interactions are a constant teamwork at that point. I would be happy and hope to put more Native Americans in the cabinet level. I'm not sure about

raising the Office of Indian Affairs to a cabinet level. I feel like, depending on bureaucracy, can often simply sweep the problem under the rug also. I have committed to running with a Native American, and I think that's very important, and I would commit, in my administration, to honoring the relationship. You're running made as Kathy Sanchez. She is from Stano -Fanzel, Buffalo, here in Mexico. Any more questions with regards to this issue? I'd like to do a follow -up. I'm Bernard Teller from Isleta Pueblo. Mr. Bacon, you may be aware, if you've had any opportunity to visit some of the tribes here in New Mexico, that many of our lands are through ways for traffic and non -tribal traffic. We are dealing with a lot of jurisdictional issues, law enforcement,

emergency medical services. We're seeing that tribes are putting out for protecting non -tribal members, which really is not our responsibility. Historically, tribes haven't seen compensation from the state or compensation from other local governments for some of the services that we're providing. As you know, the gaming tribes here in the state of New Mexico are putting out 8 % of their take in revenue sharing to the state of New Mexico, and it's calculated to about $380 million for a year. That's only gaming. There are other funds that are going into the state from Indian coffers. There's another couple million dollars going in from income tax and those kinds of funds. What do you plan to do or how do you perceive creating some equity back and some fairness in terms of giving back to the tribes for all this

revenue that's going into the state coffers? Historically, the state has pretty much said the tribes are the responsibility of the federal government. We don't see it that way and we don't see that we've been treated fairly when it comes to benefits from the state of New Mexico. What do you plan to do to make that better for the tribes? Those are excellent questions. I would sit down right away and do a rigorous economic analysis of tribal benefit to the state and the fairness, the reciprocity that the state should have in relation to the tribes. I really feel like you've raised excellent issues and that the tribes contribute money, they contribute culture, they contribute things to the state that are of, we probably haven't figured out the value of them. I think in terms of law enforcement, as much as we can simply take that responsibility up, we have state patrol, et cetera, that we can

relieve them of that burden. I feel like the tribes need to be consulted on this and there's probably needs to be a certain figure of economic fairness, economic justice that hasn't occurred in the past. I really think we need to look at that. I have not done an economic analysis myself of the benefits that the tribes return to the state, but that would be one of the first things I would do. I think it needs to be out there, it needs to be appreciated a lot more than it is. I think the state government has entered into an adversarial position with the tribes and I really feel that that's a loose, loose situation. I feel like, again, if we can begin to institute

reciprocity where we can sit down and discuss with the tribes exactly what their needs are vis -a -vis the state that it would begin to put a little more fairness back into the deal. Certainly, tribes or members, they're citizens of the state, so they need to be treated with the fairness that any other citizen would be in every dealing. I have a question about a special segment of the Indian population in the state of New Mexico, which is the urban indians. Identify yourself for our viewers and also for our listeners out there. My name is Emmett Francis and I work with the city of Albuquerque and I did work for the former mayor, Baca, as he's assistant deal with Indian affairs. I'm quite familiar with the urban indian situation, especially here in Albuquerque, but in all

urban areas across New Mexico, there's thousands of indians that have decided to live in the cities and the state. They do have similar problems as some of the reservation indians do health, education, employment and so forth. But one of the things that we lack that we miss is representation through the existing government structure, including the state and local governments. We feel we just left out and we just don't know where it turned a lot of times on these issues and problems. So I want to ask, what are you going to do if you are an elected governor about the urban indian population as well as the issues and problems that the urban indian population has? One of the ways we differ greatly from the other two parties is we're pushing for universal healthcare coverage under which every New

Mexican would be covered. It would be a single payer program and every New Mexican could then simply be covered when they showed up at a hospital or a doctor's office. I really feel like that begins to address that problem with urban indians because they fall through the cracks with healthcare coverage. I know, believe there's 50 ,000 urban indians more or less. I feel like they, it's an interesting question because they lose their representation from the tribes. I would, there's clearly a need for urban indians to have a particular voice, to have particular issues. And I feel like, gosh, it's a good, they're not, they're not getting it with the regular state representatives clearly.

I could almost see a couple of separate house positions or senate positions. You know, they're sort of, they sort of fall out of the rest of the population. They need to be represented. I think natives are underrepresented in general in New Mexico. In terms of implementing that, I'm not sure what I would do. I think that they, it's almost like they need a separate representation. The representation within the traditional tribal areas is taken care of and the urban indian representation is not. It's not a very good answer, but I think that there needs to be, we need to look at this and we need to begin to

create more representation. For the urban indian population. Mr. Francis, what was the answer or would you like to follow up with another one? Well, I'm pretty well satisfied, but I'm not sure if I will be willing to accept the answer, but I think... Mr. Reagan, can you give more specific, can you give us some, you mentioned that there were a couple of options that you liked, maybe the senate and the house side to consider. What, what, what would those be? Well, you, as a block, they don't, they don't, urban indians don't have a block, they don't have a block representation. And I would like to see them either receive more representation by the native leaders that are already in the house in senate, where there can be some kind of reciprocity there, where they could, you know, organize. There needs to be organization there, there needs to be, the problem is that they, that they fall,

that they cover the boundary lines of state representation. So they're not able to be represented as a block, as a group. And I think that is a, it's a unique problem. There's, I think there are only four Native American representatives in the house in senate. So there clearly is an underrepresented population here. Now, whether we could create a separate, you know, house district or a separate representative in the house, I don't know. I feel like it should be done. I feel like with, with that many New Mexicans, with unique issues, that there should be some way for them to be represented. It's a,

it's a, it's a question that I don't know the specifics of. I think on the executive side, this is Emma Francis again. On the executive side, it's more of a problem trying to get access to government agencies as well as services. The commission on Indian Affairs basically represents the tribal communities. We've attempted to try to get our issues through that commission, however, a lot of the issues don't really get attention that we think we need. What would you do on the executive side? I could, I could see a separate either, either more representation on Indian Affairs Commission or a separate executive branch that dealt with urban Indian Affairs. It's a, it's a, over a third of the population of the natives in this state. So I think it certainly deserves that. And I would, I would like to see it included in

the, in the commission as it is now, so that it was brought, it was brought into their thinking also. But I think at the executive level, we could certainly begin to create more positions that covered, that covered these specific issues. There's a range of issues and I, I would think it would be, you know, two or three representatives at the executive level to deal with this issue. Mr. Bacon, earlier you mentioned the creation or the promotion of universal health coverage. One of our panelists is the Chief Executive Officer for the Indian Hospital in Santa Fe, Richard Zephyr. And I was wondering, perhaps if you had a response or a question for Mr. Bacon with regards to, to that issue. I'm Richard Zephyr as Mr. Geno says, my question to you is, if elected governor, what two policies would

you implement to assure basic health care services are easily accessible by Native Americans? Again, a single payer system, right now about 70 % of our health care dollars come from taxes. We have very little to make up to actually cover all new Mexicans. Every industrialized country in the world covers their citizens. They're covered. It's not a, it's not a health insurance program, it's health coverage. So a single payer system in which the money was administered through the state or through a nonprofit would then create coverage for all new Mexicans. Right now, we spend in America 25 % of our health care dollars on administrative costs. We have the highest health care per capita in the world and yet we're 37th in the world in coverage. So if we eliminate essentially the for

-profit aspect of the administrative side, there is enough money to begin to cover all new Mexicans. Now this I think would be to the advantage of the Native population because they could still receive coverage at the Indian Health Services, it would not interfere with that in any way. It would just mean that in other parts of the state they would also be covered as any new Mexican would. Under this system also, you can begin to have better coverage from the very early years so you can begin prevention. Right now the Indian hospitals have a problem in that they'll prioritize their needs for that year. So if the need for that year is diabetes then other things are left out. The having universal health care coverage would begin to alleviate that problem and would free up the resources of the Indian Health System. Thank you. Any more questions with regards to health and health related

issues from the panel? Another question is the health maintenance organizations are spending a lot of money to provide health care and it's at the detriment of the patients. So what would you suggest or what would you plan to support the HMOs and MCOs to actually modify this so that the patients actually benefit more? Well again the single payer universal coverage system puts the money right at the level of the physician. So it puts the money at the level of the physician and the patient. So it's a basic coverage that begins to eliminate the middle man. And the doctors I've talked to are in favor of it. A lot of New Mexicans now have to go to the emergency room for health care coverage. We have 500 ,000 New Mexicans that are uninsured, have no health care coverage whatsoever. Now it's listening to Harlem Acocetos show today and the model of Canada came up that it's not working. What I've heard is there lines people

have to wait. Well here people go without coverage entirely and they don't receive adequate coverage. Their illnesses tend to get progressively worse etc. So the single payer system can be opted into by HMOs but it simply provides coverage. You're not depending on an insurance plan and it also eliminates the time that doctors spend. Doctors right now are spending 50 to 60 % of their time dealing with our arcane health care insurance system. So it eliminates that and it's a very simple system. It eliminates some duplicity of duplication of services etc. So I think once we look at that as streamlining health care coverage it gets very interesting. Really for all New Mexicans especially for Native Americans because they have access to two levels of health care then.

One of the areas that we covered with both of your opponents has been the concern about including Native Americans in the democratic process. How will the Green Party attempt in its rebuilding here in New Mexico? Bring in Native Americans and attempt to seek out the Native American vote. I know that you've got your running mate is from one of the publics here in New Mexico. But how will you do that? Conroy we have two things that we're pushing for democracy. Well three actually. One is public financing of campaigns. Now three states have that right now and that means if you get a few pledges of five dollars then you're eligible for public money. It's been very difficult to finance this campaign because not everyone can go out and raise the money they need to. Now that would open up the political process to a

lot more people. Number two is a system called instant runoff voting. Now instant runoff voting means your vote registers at the first you can vote choices. You can rank your choices. If your first place choice doesn't make it your vote is not wasted. It rolls over into the second place choice. So that really opens up the democratic process right there. And number three is the attempt to get corporate money out of politics. Right now our legislature is citizen legislators and they can't withstand the focus of highly paid corporate lobbyists. Once we get money out of politics in that way we begin to open up the process then also. That really gives more people access to the process. Again the

native vote since it tends to cluster around the reservation areas is underrepresented. And I think I'm still chewing on this problem of the urban Indian. I feel like they're through these processes though it would begin to allow natives to organize in a lot more coherent way to have their voices heard. It really opens up the democratic process rather than closing it down like it is now. So you can actually begin voting for people that you want to see in the process rather than people that have the money to make it into the process. Mr. Bacon I really appreciate your time running out of time. But I would like to be able to allow you some time to give us your closing remarks, closing statements as they relate to Native American issues and the Native American vote. So

you have about a minute and a half to maybe summarize your thoughts. You'd share those with us. I'm running with a full -time Lieutenant Governor who is a Native American woman. We have talked a lot about including Native Americans at every level. So Kathy would essentially become a full -time Lieutenant Governor and she would focus on Native American affairs. It's her level of expertise, it's her level of passion, and it's her level of interest and involvement. So really under my administration you would have a full -time Native American executive in the government. And I think this would begin to simply increase the participation and the honoring of Native Affairs. So we

honor in our ten key values, we honor traditional values. The Green Party is based on values as much as other things or more than other things actually. There's a Native American woman running in Alaska for the Green Party also. And both she and Kathy came to the party because of the values of the party. They read the values and they realize that they were very much in sync with their values. So we would be a party that worked to protect people, to work on a basis of values rather than political expediency, money, power, etc. So that's really what I would offer. Mr. Bacon, thank you very much, David Bacon, Green Party candidate for Governor. Thank you, and also I'd like to thank our panelists for joining us today and asking some very intelligent questions of our candidates. And thank you as well for joining us, and that's the end of our program tonight. But our focus on Native American issues this election year

continues. This coming Saturday on September 21st, Academy and the Albuquerque Indian Center will host a voter registration drive. Be sure to come out to the Albuquerque Indian Center from 11 in the morning until 4 in the afternoon for food and fun and entertainment. Register to vote if you haven't and learn more about Native issues from Native leaders. And meet many of the candidates face to face. Now the Albuquerque Indian Center is located at 105 Texas Southeast near the intersection of Wyoming and Central here in Albuquerque. For more information call 505 -268 -4418. Now, Academy has also prepared an online voter guide. Simply log on to our webpage at kneetv .org and there you will find information on voting on the candidates and much more for election 2002. Also keep checking our website for another page which will be devoted to Native American issues this election year. Again, I would like to thank

KRWG in Las Cruces, KENW in Portalis, KUNM 89 .9 FM, and American Indian Radio on Satellite for joining us in the broadcast of our program, Native Voices, Native Votes. Thank you for spending your evening with us. I'm Conrad Chino. Good night. Email your comments about this program to infocus at kneetv .org. To purchase a video cassette or transcript of Native Voices, Native Votes, call 1 -800 -328 -5663 or write to the address on your screen. Thank you.