April 3, 2016

Wyoming Native American Leaders Endorse Clinton

The Northern Arapaho Business Council and top tribal leaders from the Eastern Shoshone Tribe announced today that they are endorsing Hillary Clinton for President ahead of Wyoming’s caucus next Saturday. The Northern Arapaho Business Council is led by Chairman Dean Goggles and Co-Chairman Ronald K. Oldman. Its members are Ben Ridgely, Norman Willow Sr., Darrell O’Neal Sr., and Ryan Spoonhunter.
 
Darwin St. Clair, the Chairman of the Eastern Shoshone Business Council, and John Washakie, a Vietnam Veteran, former member of the Shoshone Tribal Council, and direct descendent of the last chief of the EasternShoshone, Chief Washakie, also endorsed Clinton today.
 
“I support Hillary because of her experience and focus on education, veterans, and healthcare,” Washakie said. “She always stands up for what she believes in. We also appreciate her campaign’s attention and outreach, which doesn't always happen here in Indian Country.”

Clinton has been a longtime advocate for Native Americans dating back to her days as First Lady when she sought to strengthen the health care delivery system for Native Americans and fought for passage of the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act, which included important provisions to combat domestic violence against Native women in Indian Country. As Senator, Clinton sponsored and fought for legislation to give tribes greater representation in advisory groups and direct access to federal grants, and as Secretary of State she supported the U.N. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which continues to make critical contributions to our Native American policies.
 
Clinton has laid out a plan to build a brighter future for Native Americans, which includes, among other things,  ensuring meaningful tribal consultation and empowerment, protecting tribal assets and resources, helping to resolve long-standing disputes, and strengthening public safety and justice in Indian Country.

The Hillary for Wyoming campaign has worked hard to reach out to Native Americans in their own communities. It hosted an organizing event earlier this week on the Wind River Reservation with the Eastern Shoshone Tribe and is planning a similar event with the Northern Arapaho Tribe in the coming days.


For Immediate Release, April 3, 2016