To which
Susi Rockwell, icslr@asuvm.inre.asu.edu, responded:
>>...I am not up on everything to do with the gaming issue here in Arizona,
but I do know that one reason Indians have said they support Basha is because
of his business involvement in their communities. Basha owns a grocery store
chain (Basha's) and he is the only chain to open up stores on reservations
and to employ reservation residents.>>>
Tribes have supported Basha because Basha supports and recognizes tribes'
sovereign nation status.
In Southern Arizona, Basha has taken time (3 times since March 94) to meet
with tribal leaders and Indians from both the reservation and urban
communities at _our_ request. That is, the Indian people of S.AZ. Basha has
been recognized as someone who has had a historic interest in Indian people
(going back to his parents in the early part of this century) and is and has
been in positions of power that could benefit Indian people.
Anyway, in his bid for governor, Basha has pledged to do the following for AZ
Indian nations. These points are outlined in a pamphlet called "Rebuilding
Arizona: Eddie Basha's Action Plan" pp. 37-39.
He will establish a Native American Affairs Office as a part of State
government. This office would coordinate between the tribes and other
entities, such as state, county and federal agencies. Moreover, it would
oversee a cohesive state policy for the benefit of Indian communities and
work with other Native American agencies to complement their efforts. This
office would gather financial and technical data to conduct analyses,
planning and coordination tasks. The office would also assist the governor in
identifying qualified Native American leaders for appointment to various
state boards and commissions, so that Indians will have a voice in state
policies.
Basha has also pledged to improve transportation systems on reservations
(including bus services); Ensure that Indian communities are a part of the
information highway so educational, health and economic opportunities
available through it won't be missed; Work to secure full federal funding for
Native communities; Improve health care through the state medicare program
AHCCCS and amend agreements that are currently had between AHCCCS and IHS for
third party billing; and Education at all levels, from head
start>>primary>>through higher education.
That's the majority of what he's said he'd do. It's a lot and it is certainly
more than any previous gubernatorial candidate has even publicly voiced. I
think tribes respect him for acknowledging that there are serious problems in
Arizona's Indian Country. There is also respect for the fact that he respects
tribes and us as Indian people. It is nice to be talked _to_ and _with_
rather than about or around.
At a rally in Tucson last week, he was asked by local tribal leaders about
gambling and a proposition (300-tobacco tax) that would cut away at tribal
sovereignty. His responses were that he would work to ensure that tribal
sovereignty would not be weakened in _any_ way.
If he becomes governor tomorrow, we will soon see if is able to come through
on all that he has said. In the least, it looks like tribes will be seen as
partners for AZ's future rather than "another minority". That sounds like a
pretty good beginning.
Hope that answers some questions and maybe brings up a few more!
Shannon Peirce (Mescalero Apache, Ft. Sill)
Tucson, AZ
speirce@aol.com