Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders campaigns in Yakima, Washington, on March 24, 2016. The flag of the Yakama Nation, bordered in blue, was displayed prominently at the rally. Photo from Bernie 2016

Dina Gilio-Whitaker, a member of the Colville Tribes, isn't completely satisfied with the Republican or Democratic candidates for president but she believes Bernie Sanders represents the best hope for Indian Country:

The framing of the injustices to Native peoples as “in the past” is the denial of those injustices as systemic and ongoing. Politicians are woefully ignorant about Native history and current social science theories regarding them, and even about Indian law.

They are certainly attached to perpetuating narratives of American exceptionalism. They have to be. Their ability to be elected depends on their undying patriotism, whether conservative or liberal.

And then there is Bernie Sanders. If I believed in the American system, I might be enticed to “feel the Bern.” As a democratic socialist Bernie does represent the possibility for more radical change than anyone else in the running. And he does have a stronger Native American platform than anyone else I know of.

But it took far too long for him to finally develop it, like it was an afterthought in his campaign strategizing. He didn’t hire his Native American advisor Nicole Willis until February of this year.

I like it that Bernie believes the U.S. must support tribal sovereignty and “move away from a relationship of paternalism and control and toward one of deference and support.” He doesn’t mention, however, exactly how to do that.

Get the Story:
Dina Gilio-Whitaker: Liberals or Conservatives: It’s Still All Colonialism to Me

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