LaMere Speaks with His Hands, with Passion

Students at the American Indian Institute blog about a talk given by Frank LaMere, a superdelegate in the Democratic party and citizen of the Winnebago tribe. LaMere spoke with students at AIJI following a dinner in the Al Neuharth Media Center at the University of South Dakota.

Jamie Hughes: It’s not every night someone gets to eat dinner with a superdelegate. Frank LaMere will be the chair of the Native Caucus at the Democratic National Convention this summer. However, LaMere didn’t speak about politics really, or being a superdelegate, until asked. Rather, he explained to us our responsibilities as journalists.

“Always put your best foot forward and do the right thing,” LaMere said.

LaMere also touched a point that is close to home for journalists. When Tileena Leighton, a fellow student, asked him why he wanted to make a difference, he told us he grew up with a healthy disrespect for authority.

He said this wasn’t necessarily a good thing, but he had seen how his people were treated by law enforcement and didn’t like it.

This reminded me of what I have been reminded of since I was 15. The media is a watchdog over the government. We, as journalists, must always be skeptical.

Codie Wyers: LaMere is a member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska and has accomplished many things in his life. He has led a grass-roots effort in Sioux City that led to the passage of the Iowa Indian Child Welfare Act in 2003; he works for the Casey-Center for the Study of Social Policy Alliance in Woodbury County, and also is a superdelegate.

By doing all of these things LaMere has a way of inspiring not only Native Americans but also people of all races. It seems at times impossible to help people and actually make a change, but LaMere has a way of making it seem possible, not only through his speeches but his actions as well.

Krista Leman: With passion, his hands helped tell his stories. LaMere worked hard to help Native people and push issues into the open. His voice cracked and his eyes watered as he talked about helping Indian children and their struggles with child welfare. He is a fearless man with nobility and the will to make changes for Natives.

M. J. Casiano: LaMere spoke of views on today’s indigenous people and his life. He even told everyone his definition of a superdelegate. “A superdelegate is seeing to give voice to native people and to impact he process that governs our lives,” he said.
Natasha Kaye Johnson: I remembered this man was a super delegate, one of only four Native American super delegates, at that. As he tried his best to hold back his tears, I wondered how his demeanor was when he publically addressed other politicians. Did he cry when he talked about the hardships our people still endure today? How did he talk to non-Natives? Pull yourself together, I thought. Maybe he felt safe there with a bunch of young students. Or perhaps it something else. Maybe he wanted us to understand the power of storytelling and the oral tradition, and the best way to do this was sharing personal stories of struggle and defeat.

Natasha Kaye Johnson: I remembered this man was a super delegate, one of only four Native American super delegates, at that.  As he tried his best to hold back his tears, I wondered how his demeanor was when he publically addressed other politicians.  Did he cry when he talked about the hardships our people still endure today? How did he talk to non-Natives?  Pull yourself together, I thought. Maybe he felt safe there with a bunch of young students. Or perhaps it something else.  Maybe he wanted us to understand the power of storytelling and the oral tradition, and the best way to do this was sharing personal stories of struggle and defeat.