The Miccosukee Tribe of Florida donated $1 million to the University of Miami to sponsor the first presidential debate between George W. Bush and John Kerry.

The tribe won't get any mentions during the debate, which takes place on Thursday. But chairman Billy Cypress said he hopes the tribe's participation will show that Native Americans will "always be here." "We're not leaving," he tells The Miami Herald.

UM president Donna Shalala, former Health and Human Services secretary during the Clinton administration, approached Cypress more than a year ago. The tribe's donation will cover the high costs of the event.

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