PABLO, Mont.
Hillary Rodham Clinton pledged her commitment Tuesday to tribal sovereignty and Indian health care.
“I want to be a strong partner with Indian country,” the Democratic presidential candidate told several hundred people at Salish Kootenai College on the sprawling Flathead Indian reservation. Among other things, she promised to name a representative of the American Indian community to work alongside her in the White House.
Clinton’s visit came a week before primaries in Montana and South Dakota are expected to feature a sizable representation of American Indian voters.
In an exceptionally scenic setting of snow-covered mountains and tall pine trees, the former first lady was greeted by dancers performing a spiritual dance and given a set of moccasins and a necklace by Joe McDonald, president of the tribal college.
“Wear this next to your heart,” McDonald told her. Clinton wore the beaded necklace as she spoke.
Trailing Barack Obama among delegates as he edges closer to securing enough for the party’s presidential nomination, Clinton appeared moved and calmed by the scene that greeted her. “I humbly ask for your support,” she said to applause.
