Gubernatorial candidates attend forum

Julie Severn

7/15/2002 12:00:00 AM

In an effort to bring issues impacting Indian Country to the legislative forefront, Michigan's gubernatorial candidates were recently invited to attend a forum on the Isabella Reservation.

The June 28 event at the Soaring Eagle Entertainment Hall was sponsored by the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan and the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. Saginaw Chippewa Chief Maynard Kahgegab Jr. and GTB Chairman Robert Kewaygoshkum represented their respective Tribes.

"With a forum such as this, it allows the exchange of ideas and issues, so voters may make better informed decisions at the polls," stated Kahgegab in his opening address. "I hope that the candidates forum will assist you in becoming more informed voters about the decisions and the candidates."

Invited candidates included Green Party member Douglas Campbell of Ferndale; state Sen. John Schwarz, R�Battle Creek; Democratic former Gov. James Blanchard; Republican Lt. Dick Posthumus; Michigan Attorney General Jennifer Granholm; and U.S. Rep. David Bonior, D�Mt. Clemens. Of the six candidates, Campbell and Schwarz were the only two in attendance. With the exception of Posthumus, who declined the invitation, all other candidates sent a representative.

Each candidate or representative had five minutes to explain their state relations platform and three minutes to respond to two, randomly-drawn questions, which were submitted from Michigan's 12 federally-recognized Tribes. Questions asked pertained to a variety of topics, including gaming, taxes, the environment and treaty rights.

"Tribal governments, like other governments, provide services to their citizens-health care, education, public safety-these are just a few of the policy areas that Tribal nations address everyday with our own members," stated Kahgegab. "Tribal governments also play a vital role in the economy. The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe, for example, employs more than 4,000 individuals from various counties throughout mid-Michigan.

"Our employees pay taxes and feel the impacts of state policy decisions. Tribal governments and our employees are concerned about the decisions and the direction to which the government of our state leads."

Schwarz, a 16-year member of the Michigan Senate, pledged he would support Tribal sovereignty as they pertain to various issues affecting the state.

"As governor, I would honor your rights," he said. "My door would always be open to discussion of the main issues that are out there that both join us and sometimes separate us."

Schwarz was asked if he believed that business activities undertaken by Tribal members on Indian lands should be considered tax exempt.

"I will not discuss whether or not I believe this should absolutely, positively be true in every instance, but I believe that as these questions come up the history, tradition and law will not be altered," he explained. "These activities will remain as they are today, tax exempt."

The Green Party has been involved with several environmental issues, according to Campbell. This included groundwater contamination, impacts of mercury and the effects of coal burning. He said the state should pursue using alternative fuels, such as wind.

"People are more important than money and people are more important that partisan bickering," he stated. "We will try to see that everybody is treated equally and protect our lands, as this issue effects everyone. We will continue fighting the extraction of water rights and fight for clean water."

If elected governor, Campbell said he would propose combining the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Environmental Quality.

"They are two separate departments, who, by all outward appearances, don't communicate with each other very much," added Campbell. "We need a department that actually takes charge and protects environmental quality. The Green Party stands first and foremost for clean water, clean air and clean earth."

Candidates were available after the forum to address questions from community members so they could gain an understanding of Tribal views.

"Decisions by the government regarding social and economic policies have an impact on our Tribal members and our employees," said Kahgegab. "Their ability to make informed decisions during an election is a key component to our democracy."