Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean and comedian / radio host Al Franken were among the top draws at the Indigenous Democratic Network List's first ever "boot camp" for Indian candidates.

The camp was hosted by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community in Minnesota. In addition to Dean and Frank, attendees heard from Rep. Jim Oberstar (D-Minnesota), Rep. Mike Honda (D-California), the vice chair of the DNC, and Peggy Flanagan, a 28-year-old member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe who was elected to the Minneapolis School Board in 2004.

"I was sick and tired of other people making decisions for us," Flanigan said, The Native American Times reported.

Former Democratic congressional candidate Kalyn Free, a member of the Choctaw Nation, founded INDN's List to recruit, train and elect more Indian people to public office.

Get the Story:
INDN's List hosts political figures, Native leaders (The Native American Times 10/18)

Relevant Links:
Indigenous Democratic Network - http://www.indnslist.org

Related Stories:
Howard Dean, Al Franken at INDN's List boot camp (10/12)
Editorial: Indian candidate starts outreach (06/08)
Kalyn Free: DNC treats tribes like 'ATM machine' (02/14)
Group seeks to put more Indians in public office (2/10)
Choctaw Nation denies endorsement of non-Indian (01/19)
Choctaw chief won't back tribal member for Congress (1/16)
Tribal members announce bids for U.S. Congress (10/15)