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SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts is scheduled to attend a candidates' forum on Native American issues on Monday, an event likely to draw attention to her earlier claims of Native American ancestry.
Ms. Warren, faithful to her reputation as a presidential candidate with a huge collection of detailed plans, has made concerted efforts to develop a political agenda that can help Native Americans.
But her appearance at the forum in Sioux City will probably be closely followed because of her history of stumbling over the subject, a problem that will certainly be used against her if she is the Democratic candidate. Last year, Mrs. Warren was criticized by Native Americans after publishing the results of a DNA test proving that she had an Amerindian ancestor. After entering the presidential race, she apologized for the DNA test and was identified as a Native American during her law school career.
"Goodness knows, like all those who are honest, I know that I've made mistakes, that I have regrets and that I apologize for it," Warren said the week last at a question-and-answer session with the Family Party at Work. "But I try every day to be a good partner, and being a good partner means thinking about investing in tribal areas. This means ensuring that the Indian country is represented at the table when we talk about how to put policies in place. "
On Friday, Warren presented a set of proposals to help Native Americans, covering topics such as tribal sovereignty and missing indigenous women. She also published a large-scale legislative proposal with Deb Haaland, Democrat of New Mexico, one of the first Native American women to sit in Congress. The proposal covers areas such as criminal justice, health care and economic development.
In addition, some of Warren's political plans at the beginning of her campaign would provide funding for Native American communities to address issues such as housing and the opioid crisis. She has also worked in the Senate on Native American issues, sponsoring legislation on suicide prevention and child abuse in Aboriginal communities.
OJ and Barb Semans, the co-executive directors of Four Directions, have decided that Ms. Warren would not be questioned about her ancestry during her appearance, Semans said during an interview. He said that Warren's campaign had not asked what she would or not asked for.
Semans, a member of the Rosebud Sioux tribe, blamed President Trump for making fun of Mrs. Warren by calling her "Pocahontas". spend time on issues that could help the lives of Native Americans, "not if his DNA test was done correctly or incorrectly."
"How many times do you have to argue something that has already been done?" Asked he. "This problem has been solved, it has been fixed and we move on to something else. But what has not been settled and taken care of is that President Trump continues to use it pejoratively. "
It remains to be seen how much the issue of descent will persist for Mrs. Warren during the campaign. At a rally in New Hampshire last week, Mr. Trump repeated the connection between "Pocahontas" and promised that there would be others to come.
"I did the Pocahontas affair," he said. "I hit her very hard and it looked like she was down, but it was too long ago." I should have waited. But do not worry, we will revive it. "
Mrs. Warren will not do away with the problem completely with some American Indians, said Mark Trahant, editor of Indian Country Today, forum moderator.
"There is a large group, mainly on Twitter, but nevertheless significant, which will take no excuse from him," he said. "They see it as a crime."
Ms. Haaland, who endorsed Ms. Warren last month, has a different point of view than the critics.
"I think she was able to take a really good step," she said. "His heart is in the right place. She cares deeply about the Indian country. "
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