Indian Country Responds With Questions For Debate
Early this morning Indian Country Today Media Network asked what questions you would ask the Republican presidential candidates if you were moderator John King tonight at 8 p.m.
A variety of questions came in on a lot of issues that candidates should be aware of considering the position they are running for. ICTMN has sent a few of the questions along for possible inclusion in tonight’s debate.
A list of some of the questions ICTMN received is below:
Jeffrey Shetler: Would you honor the standing Treaties with Native Americans?
Bernard Leonard: What personal interest and connections do you have with Indian country?
Shawna L. Castillo: How do you plan to serve the Native American population during your presidential term?
Don Morse: We know your positions on Christianity, but where do you stand on the old spiritual beliefs; Native American, Wiccan, Pagan? Do you truly support all forms of Religion?
Larry Whittle: Do you support the sovereignty of Nations? And do you support Native hunting and fishing rights… in particular when they come into conflict with power and dams (i.e. Peabody Coal and the dams in the Northwest)?
John Richards: How would they go about fixing the BIA and the many delinquent accounts payable to tribes and individuals?
Hontas Farmer: What is your position on the bill in Congress which would extend federal recognition to certain state recognized tribes of Virginia?
Jamie Wilson: Republican President Richard Nixon changed the nature of the relationship between Native American tribes and the federal government, with a declaration that the relationship would be “government-to-government.” How would you continue this government-to-government relationship?
Carlene Oldperson: What would you do about Native IHS doctors and if and when we will quit being guinea pigs?
Kenton Wilcox: What Native Americans would you consider for cabinet posts, and in which positions? What legal status should be accorded truly indigenous languages? What role, if any, ought government play in the recognition, protection, and teaching of these languages, given the Republican movement to make English the official language of the U.S.?
Maggie Council DiPietra: Can you identify by name at least half the federally recognized tribes in Arizona?
Jackson Harris: What is your thought on the Ethnic Studies debacle that has the spotlight on Arizona again? And where do you stand on SB 1070? And How will you restore order in the border states?
Debbie1115: With all of the talk of limiting, as if it is not already limited, the powers of the EPA I would like to know how the candidates think we should address the affects of the industrial processes that not only rape the earth and her people of their cultures but are also the major cause of our health care situation and costs. If there is no regulation on private industry to be responsible in their environmental impact which affects us all what options and suggestions do they have?
Sue Whalen: Would you cut spending from the baseline budget, not merely from the rate of increase in spending? Really cut? And, if so, what would you cut? Would you work with Congress to repeal NDAA provisions that allow the President to order citizens arrested and held indefinitely without a hearing on charges based merely on suspicion of anti-government activity or intentions?
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