The Associated Press
FARMINGTON — Most Democratic presidential hopefuls have been in Iowa preparing for next week's caucus, but candidate Dennis Kucinich found time for a quick campaign stop in New Mexico.
The Ohio congressman appeared here Saturday to accept the endorsement of the Dine Bidziil Navajo Strength Coalition, which is made up of 24 grass-roots Navajo organizations.
Some 300 people braved the snow to hear Kucinich speak about environmental and social concerns related to years of uranium mining on Indian land. He said the federal government has failed in its responsibilities as guardian of Indian resources.
Kucinich also spoke about the need for the United States to acknowledge its treaties with sovereign Indian governments and work harder to strengthen government-to-government relations.
Norman Patrick Brown, a leader of the Navajo coalition endorsing Kucinich, said the congressman supports Indians' rights to control their own resources and determine their own course.
While candidates have been paying close attention to the growing number of Hispanic voters, Indians are becoming a political force of their own, having swayed congressional elections and gubernatorial races.
Kucinich's campaign said efforts were underway to encourage New Mexico's Indian voters to turn out for the state's first presidential caucus on Feb. 3. Indians make up about 9 percent of New Mexico's population.
Following Saturday's speech, Kucinich is traveling to Iowa.
Kucinich came to New Mexico seven times last year, not counting a February visit during the 2003 legislative session, when he met with Gov. Bill Richardson before he had declared his candidacy.
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