Lakota Sioux meets with Kucinich
Originally published in USA Today
Posted 1/11/2004 8:48 PM
Lakota Sioux meets with Kucinich
DES MOINES (AP) — Dennis Kucinich presented the spiritual leader of the Lakota tribe with a ceremonial blanket Sunday, saying that as president he would work to heal wounds between the government and American Indians.
Kucinich, one of nine candidates seeking the Democratic presidential nomination, met with Chief Arvol Looking Horse during a diversity celebration at a downtown hotel, blocks from where a Democratic debate was to be held later in the evening.
"I pledge to you a presidency that embraces the spirit of being of America long before it was established as the United States, but an America which connects with the values of Native Americans to the Mother Earth," Kucinich told Looking Horse.
The Ohio congressman said he would work to heal the breach that exists between the government and American Indians.
"There is much so healing to do," he said, noting their long suffering at the hands of the U.S. government.
Looking Horse, who gave a blessing in his native language, said America needs a president who will honor the original intent of the Constitution.
"We need a person who can make a difference and bring peace and honor back to Mother Earth," he said.
Looking Horse, of the Eagle Butte, S.D.-based Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, is the 19th Generation Keeper of the Sacred White Buffalo Pipe of the Lakota, Dakota and Nakota nations.
A diverse crowd of about 100 people, spanning all ages and ethnic groups, crowded into the hotel meeting room to hear Kucinich and Looking Horse.
The crowd was entertained by "Democracy in Creation" a group of singers and dancers from Santa Cruz, Calif., touring to raise political awareness among young voters.
Jenise Hibbeler, 35, a massage therapist from Des Moines, set up a massage table in one corner of the room, giving massages to raise money for Kucinich's campaign.
"There are a lot of people not feeling nurtured in the world and when you do feel nurtured you're less willing to 'GRRRR,'" Hibbeler said, growling. "He wants to nurture us as people. He truly is a loving, caring and passionate man and he really works from the heart."
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