Heitkamp thanks tribal members
Heitkamp thanks tribal members
Mia e dugash adopted into tribe
By Jerry W. Kram
Heidi Heitkamp because the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate from North Dakota by the slimmest of margins. She, as well as many pundits, believe that a strong turnout among the state’s North Dakota Native American Tribes provided her with her margin of victory.
“Heidi got it right,” said Three Affiliated Tribes Chairman Tex Hall. “She said it would take 3,000 votes to win and that she will need the tribes. In my home town of Mandaree, 96 percent of the votes were for Heidi.”
Heitkamp returned to the Events Center at the 4 Bears Casino and Lodge Saturday to thank tribal members for their support. The event had been planned for right after the election, but was postponed due to weather.
“I want to remind you of how important your vote was,” Heitkamp said. “I will be respectful when working with tribal governments and know that tribal rights are a legal and binding obligation of the United States. I also have a special place in my heart for Native American veterans. You will have a friend in Washington.”
