Contact: Melanie Conklin
608-260-2409

Madison, Wisconsin — The following is a statement from the Democratic Party of Wisconsin’s American Indian Caucus Chair, Ryan Greendeer. In addition to leading the DPW’s American Indian Caucus Greendeer served in the US Army for almost 9 years and worked in Government Relations for the Ho-Chunk Nation.

We encourage you to use Caucus Chair Greendeer’s statement in articles, as a column, as a letter to the editor or contact us if you would like to speak with Ryan Greendeer further on this topic or on Native American Indian Heritage Month.

“Today the President had an opportunity to honor World War II’s Code Talkers during an event at the White House. Instead of highlighting the tremendous effort, commitment and sacrifice made by Code Talkers, he hosted three Navajo Veterans in front of the notorious President Andrew Jackson portrait. President Jackson is well known for ordering the removal of hundreds of thousands of Native People from their homelands.

“During the event, their achievements in protecting American lives were ignored so that Trump could mock Senator Elizabeth Warren, by calling her Pocahontas instead. The President’s political attack on Senator Warren detracts from the contributions made by warriors from 33 different tribes, including the Oneida Nation, Menominee Indian Tribe and Ho-Chunk Nation in Wisconsin.

“In honor of these veterans and Native American Indian Heritage Month, we would like to apologize for the President’s uncouth remarks and convey our deepest appreciation for their sacrifices.”

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