Cross-posted at Daily Kos

I’ve been following Gov. Schweitzer around a bit lately ever since I read this Salon Article. What I especially find fascinating about him is his open support of Native American people, including his active participation in their ceremonies.

I have long felt we have a lot to learn from the original inhabitants of our country, and I receive much personal inspiration from listening to past and present Native American leaders, especially Ohyesa (Biography) (The Soul of an Indian).  Who amongst our own leaders speaks with such beauty, eloquence and depth of heart in these difficult times?

Therefore I was pleased yesterday to come accross this article in Indian Country.  Lo and behold, it looks like Schweitzer is a man/leader who does not practice ceremonies to rip off Native Americans spirituality, but actually makes it a priority to further our continent’s original people’s rights and interests.

More below…

Salish Kootenai College President Dr. Joseph McDonald praises Gov. Schweitzer during graduation exercises for students at Salish Kootenai College:

”It’s a great joy to go to the state Capitol now. Each person is treated like a guest. The governor’s staff goes all-out to help. The governor is there to talk to you and listen to you and hear what you have to say. The entire mood of state government has changed.” He presented the governor with an honorary Bachelor of Arts degree in Native American Studies, ”the highest award our college can give.”

Schweitzer drew enthusiastic and prolonged applause throughout his commencement address. Appropriately dressed in blue jeans and a beaded vest, his remarks were loudly received. He began by saying, “On Jan. 3 I stood in the rotunda of the Capitol building with the sound of the drums, and I said to the people of Montana: It’s a new day in Montana. We will respect all the people of Montana and, first and foremost, the first Montanans.” He continued, “We have already appointed more people from Indian country than the previous 22 governors combined.”

Regarding education, the governor stated: “We have put historic amounts of money in our tribal colleges because we believe the opportunity to build on the culture that has been here for 10,000 years is good for all of Montana and we will invest in tribal colleges. We believe that every child living in Montana should know the rich cultural history of Montana for the 10,000 years before Lewis and Clark stumbled across Montana.”

The governor urged the graduates to enjoy the future, not to rush it but to take it one day at a time and to take time to be with family. “Furthermore, never forget where you came from,” he said. “You have the richest cultural background of any place on this planet.”

He also encouraged them to do two things. First, be great ambassadors and take their cultural background and great sense of humor (my comment – yes, we all could use some of that native humor) to let the world know about their home community. Secondly, after they’d traveled: “Come home. We need you. You are the brightest and the best. Please come home and help us to grow.”

He asked everyone to consider working for the state of Montana. He said he hoped that eventually every sixth or seventh person in state government will be from Indian country and that would be a lasting legacy to his administration. “Come to state government and be part of the most progressive, the most Indian-friendly administration in the history of this country,” he added.

Full article here

I can’t think of any current (or even past) leader that has taken respect and honor of Native Americans to this level. All I can say is: hats off, Gov. Schweitzer.  If you ever run for president, I’ll work my buns off.  For now though, I’m with Wesley Clark (who, BTW, was endorsed by The Native American Times in 2004).