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Podcasts Take Two
Candidates make push for California's Native American voters
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May 31, 2016
Listen • 9:30
Candidates make push for California's Native American voters
While much attention is paid to the sizeable Latino, Asian and African American populations, less so is given to the state's American Indian residents. But that may be changing.
President Barack Obama listens as Hartford “Sonny” Black Eagle delivers remarks at the White House Tribal Nations Conference at the Interior Department in Washington. Native American tribal leaders are concerned that steady progress on their issues might be undermined if President Barack Obama and Congress make deep spending cuts in order to avoid the “fiscal cliff.” More than 500 tribal leaders were taking those concerns to the fourth White House Tribal Nations summit, which convenes Wednesday, Dec. 5, 2012. Obama is scheduled to address the group in the afternoon.
President Barack Obama listens as Hartford “Sonny” Black Eagle delivers remarks at the White House Tribal Nations Conference at the Interior Department in Washington, 2012. This election cycle, California's Native American communities are playing a higher profile role in campaigns.
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Haraz N. Ghanbari/AP
)

While much attention is paid to the sizeable Latino, Asian and African American populations, less so is given to the state's American Indian residents. But that may be changing.

California is often seen as what the future of the country could look like in the coming years. And during an election year, that means some candidates are paying attention to the diverse communities that make up the state's potential voters.

While much attention is paid to the sizeable Latino, Asian and African American populations, less so is given to the state's American Indian residents.

But that may be changing.

As recently as this weekend, Senator Bernie Sanders highlighted the issue in a speech in Visalia, calling on Californians to recognize a "debt of gratitude" to Native Americans.

And the campaign of Hillary Clinton has made a push into the community, securing some key endorsements along the way.

"The engagement says to me that this is a good thing for Indian Country," said Joely Proudfit, director of the California Indian Culture and Sovereignty Center at California State University, San Marcos. "I do think the candidates are looking to invest in Indian Country in a way that we haven't seen in the past."