Clinton addresses Indian concerns

PABLO - U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton portrayed herself Tuesday as the presidential candidate most concerned about American Indian issues.

At a campaign stop at the Salish Kootenai College, Clinton said Indian interests were well represented in her husband Bill's presidential administration. And she promised those interests will receive a renewed priority if she is elected.

She pointed to improved health care for the tribes and 1,000 new teachers being provided to the Indian nations under Bill Clinton's administration.

"We moved forward, but not fast enough, with discernible progress. That then stalled or moved backward [under the Bush administration]," Clinton said.

Clinton pointed to health and education problems faced by the tribes - arguing that she will improve those situations if elected.

"Times that are challenging elsewhere are especially challenging in Indian country. … It's distressing to me that the average lifespan in Indian country is five years less than the rest of the country," she said.

She pointed out that Native Americans are 650 percent more likely to die from tuberculosis than non-Indians in the United States, 420 percent more likely for die from diabetes while being twice as likely to contract the ailment, and 52 percent more likely to die from pneumonia or influenza.

Clinton's Indian-related proposals, which were unveiled last year, include:

. Promoting the director of the Indian Health Service to an assistant secretary in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services "so that person has the clout and visibility in Washington to help me make changes as president."

In a brief interview after the rally, Clinton said she has not yet identified the person who would occupy that post.

. increasing funding to the Indian Health Services, collecting the extra money from closing some Bush administration tax cuts and winding down the war in Iraq.

. Encouraging the spread of wind-generated electricity, noting that much of the West's prime wind-turbine country is on Indian reservations - providing extra revenue to the tribes.

. Increasing money for Native American Housing Block Grants.

. Increasing money for Head Start programs on reservations.

. Increasing money to tribal colleges and other education institutions. She recently supported a bill that included $10 million to help advanced education programs on reservations.