Q: In your book on Global Warming you have advocated passionately for the need for increased public education about this issue, and have called for certain changes in energy policy. How important do you rate this issue and what does your interest inform American Indians about your environmental values?
A: I have worked throughout my career on the issue of global climate change. If elected, I will build on this work by establishing a National Energy and Environmental Security Trust Fund to promote revolutionary change in our transportation, energy and industrial infrastructure, in order to improve our environment and combat climate change. If we do things right – if we make responsible choices – if we invest in the job-creating, environment-protecting technology of the future -then we can have cleaner air, more reliable energy, and a more prosperous economy all at the same time. That is why I support tribal energy programs, and have supported budget increases for tribes to build institutional capacity to implement environmental programs on Indian lands.
For me, this issue has always been fundamental. I believe that pollution should never be the price of prosperity. This country’s Native peoples have always had a strong connection to the land. Changes in our global environment will have a profound impact on Native American lands in this country. We must try to protect our environment, and I believe that by doing so – we are helping all Americans, including Native Americans. We must remember what Chief Seattle said in 1855: “Every part of this earth is sacred to my people. Every shining pine needle, every sandy shore, every mist in the dark woods, every meadow, every humming insect. All are holy in the memory and experience of my people. … If we protect the environment while investing in the economy, we have the greatest chance in our lifetimes to create the America of our ideals – for ourselves and for future generations.
Q: As government institutions, most American Indian nations do not believe they should pay taxes to other governments. Do you support Indian tribal nation and entrepreneurial enterprises in their contention against state sales taxes which the tribes claim exposes them to the potential of dual taxation (tribal and state)?
A: I recognize that Indian tribes are governments, and they should not have to pay income tax to other governments. Senator Lieberman and I believe the only way to keep this economy growing is to bring economic opportunity to the people and the places who have been left behind, such as Indian country. That’s why I support the New Markets Initiative which provides tax incentives to generate more investment capital for businesses in economically distressed areas, and will continue to fight for expanded Empowerment Zones. The New Markets Initiative will help spur investment and provide tax relief to both Native and non-Native businesses that invest in Indian country. Finally, Senator Lieberman and I support treating tribes as governments under the Federal Unemployment Tax Act.
Q: After centuries of discrimination, neglect, and failed government policies, many American Indian peoples are only now rebuilding their nations by applying their sovereign economic rights to particular markets such as gaming, gasoline, and tobacco, to name a few. In several cases these market opportunities have generated significant financial resources for tribal governments to acquire lost lands, to develop government infrastructure and services, and to strengthen tribal cultures. How do you as the vice president see the usefulness of gaming and other industries as a way for tribes to build capital bases toward economic and political self-reliance? Is the marketplace achieving for American Indian nations what hundreds of years of government policy could not?
A: On the campaign trail, I have been meeting with tribal leaders and am well aware of the terrible conditions that exist in Indian country – high unemployment, extreme poverty, lack of infrastructure. As the new millennium dawns, there is reason to be hopeful, however. A small, but significant number of tribes have succeeded in reducing poverty and unemployment through the aggressive pursuit of new economic activities, including gaming. I will work to foster economic development for Native American communities, and Senator Lieberman and I will continue to support the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act.
The issues of concern in Indian country are near to my heart. President Clinton and I have worked very hard, together with tribal leaders, to improve conditions in Indian country. I would like to be very clear – if elected, I will continue the president’s commitment to Native Americans. I believe that we can foster new markets as well as live up to our trust obligations to improve the lives of American Indians and Alaska Natives. I believe that a three-pronged strategy of spurring private investment in Indian country; providing tools to Native American peoples and tribes to foster economic development; and meeting our trust obligations by increasing resources for Native American communities will help lift up the lives of Native Americans across the country.
Q: In a Gore administration, what kind of policymaker would become a main advisor to him on Indian policy – someone with the experience and profile of Sen. Daniel Inoye, Ben Nighthorse Campbell or Sen. Slade Gorton?
A: Senator Lieberman and I will work closely with the Senate Indian Affairs Committee and the House Resources Committee to further Indian self determination, strengthen tribal sovereignty and promote policies that will help American Indians across the country. I believe that our nation’s first peoples should never be a second priority. Promoting tribal sovereignty, helping Native American children obtain a good education, and providing health care – should not be partisan issues. I look forward to working on a bipartisan basis to work to improve the lives of Native Americans.
Q: Non-Indian citizens have often knowingly leased or bought land within the jurisdiction of an Indian tribe. Now some of these folks have formed a movement demanding the right to vote and hold office in Indian governments and/or have called for the abolition of Indian governments. Is this “taxation without representation” as these Americans claim, or simply a question of land ownership and political jurisdiction?
A: Senator Lieberman and I will continue to support tribal sovereignty and to honor tribal treaty rights and the government-to-government relationship. Consistent with tribal sovereignty, we support the ability of tribes to determine their own membership and to determine who can vote in tribal elections. As the U.S. Supreme Court noted in Rice vs. Cayetano, if a non-Indian lacks a right to vote in tribal elections, it is because tribal elections are the internal affair of the tribe.
Q: Gov. Bush made a statement in New York that state laws reign supreme over Indian sovereignty, whether it be on issues related to gaming or anything else. How would you describe your position on dealing with American Indian peoples in terms of the balance of powers between federal, state, and tribal governments?
A: Before Europeans landed on America’s shores, Indian nations were self-governing societies with remarkable scientific, artistic, and cultural achievements. The more than 500 federally-recognized tribal governments are a permanent part of the political structure of our nation. Since our founding, the United States has recognized many Indian tribes as “domestic dependent nations” with sovereign powers over their members and territory and has entered into numerous treaties with various tribes pledging protection and guaranteeing tribal self-government. In 1831, Chief Justice John Marshall recognized that the United States has a special trust responsibility to protect Indian tribes. That trust responsibility is manifested in treaties, agreements, court decisions, statutes, executive orders, and in the overall course of dealings between the federal and tribal governments. These executive, legislative, and judicial actions charge the United States government with legal and moral obligations of the highest responsibility and trust toward Indian tribes.
Q: Within the vice president’s understanding of history and the sweeping growth and development of the United States from coast to coast across Indian country lands, how does he believe American Indians have fared, overall, in the process?
A: During my years as vice president and during the campaign, I have personally seen some of the conditions of poverty and lack of economic opportunity in Indian country. Though many of your ancestors gave up fighting and gave up land and water and mineral rights in exchange for peace, security, health care, and education, the federal government did not live up to its end of the deal. That was wrong. And I have worked hard to change it. There is nothing more important to me than the government-to-government relationship with Indian tribes. We must honor that relationship in a way that empowers you to lift yourselves up and your children, to fulfill your potential and your dreams.
Q: Would he support Indian sovereignty over the requirement of some Democrats that tribes must allow organized labor unions to form inside of tribal enterprises on Indian lands?
A: From the very beginning of the Clinton-Gore Administration, the president and I have worked together to promote tribal sovereignty – from the historic meeting at the White House in 1994 with more than 500 tribal leaders to the Executive Order on Indian education to latest Executive Order on tribal consultation. We have issued executive orders protecting Indian sacred sites promoting Indian education, strengthened Indian self-determination and fought attempts to penalize tribes for exercising their powers of self-governance. President Clinton and I have looked for ways to strengthen the government-to-government relationship and the responsibility that goes along with it. Senator Lieberman and I will look for further opportunities to continue these policies. Senator Lieberman and I also believe that workers should receive fair wages and be treated fairly. We firmly believe that respect for tribal sovereignty as well as the rights of hard-working men and women can be accomplished together – just as they are for other governmental entities.
Q: In terms of contrast with the policies of the Republican Party, why should American Indians vote for the Democratic Party ticket?
A: I have been traveling across this country, speaking about how we can strengthen our nation. For me, the tribes are an important part of that vision, because I believe that our First Peoples must never be a second priority. The heart of my candidacy is a commitment to build on the progress we have made, and put it at risk. Too many in Indian country have not shared in today’s prosperity. We must seize this moment to build a new future of prosperity and progress, to widen the circle of opportunity to all our tribes and all our people. As president, I will work to forge a relationship of trust and respect with our tribal governments – one that promotes real independence, and provides real support – at the same time reaffirming our trust responsibility. If we keep our prosperity going, and attract new investments to Indian country; if we give every child the best education and a chance to go to college; if we respect our First Peoples – then we can reach for the best America, on our reservations and everywhere. That is why I am running for president – and that is why I ask for your help in this undertaking. Indian country has been a vital part of America’s past. Together, we can see that it remains a vital part of America’s future.