September 27 , 2007

SMSC Helps Fund INDN’s List
National Tribal Voting Project Receives $50,000 SMSC Grant

Prior Lake, Minnesota - To help engage American Indians in the political process, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community has awarded a grant for $50,000 to the INDN's List organization. The donation was used for two projects: Campaign Camp 2007 and the Prez on the Rez.

The Indigenous Democratic Network, also known as INDN's List, was founded by attorney Kalyn Free of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma to encourage and support Native peoples as active participants in the electoral process. INDN's List is the only national, grassroots political organization devoted to recruiting and electing Native American candidates and mobilizing the Indian Vote throughout America.

Campaign Camp features speakers from around the country who talk about all aspects of how to organize a campaign, including earned media, care and feeding of volunteers, phone banks, fundraising, canvassing, direct mail, and more. The event is described as a "Boot Camp" because of its long hours, intense sessions, and detailed coursework required. More than one hundred twenty future candidates and campaign staff from 50 different tribal nations attended the inaugural INDN 's List Campaign Camp held at Mystic Lake Casino October 13-16, 2005, sponsored in part by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community. Campaign Camp 2007 was held August 20-25, 2007, at the Morongo Reservation in Cabazon, California.

"INDN's List Campaign Camp 2007 would never have been possible without the chance the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community took on us in 2005. Since offering their hospitality at our first Campaign Camp in 2005 and through their unwavering support since, the Shakopee Tribe has been crucial to our successes in 2006 and beyond, as we work together to bring our First Americans into the political process," said INDN's List founder Kalyn Free.

Prez on the Rez, a project of INDN's List Education Fund, brought three Democratic candidates for President of the United States to the Morongo Reservation for a historic forum on the challenges and opportunities facing Indian Country today. Over 300 tribal leaders flew in from around the nation to ask questions of candidates Governor Bill Richardson, Congressman Dennis Kucinich, and Senator Mike Gravel. Topics ranged from attacks on tribal sovereignty, environmental degradation on Indian reservations, healthcare challenges among American Indians, and tribal jurisdiction over violent crime. The forum was moderated by Mark Trahant, a member of the Shoshone-Bannock tribes and the Editor of the editorial page at the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, and drew media coverage from three broadcast affiliates, all regional daily newspapers, and major national newspapers from across the country. Organizers pointed at the event as a critical first step in engaging American Indians in the political process and making the votes and voices of Indian Country heard in the upcoming 2008 races.

INDN's List supported 26 candidates in 12 states representing 19 tribes in 2006. Twenty of these 26 won their races. "The 2006 campaign season was long and tough, but we have proven that by sharing knowledge, resources, and support, Indians can win anywhere in this nation. America demands new leadership and new ideas, and INDN's List is making sure American Indians are ready to stand up with a strong voice and seize this opportunity for leadership," said Free. For more information about INDN's List call (918) 583-6100 or go to www.indnslist.org.