Gubernatorial candidates met Tuesday in a panel discussion with American Indian public leaders and debated a variety issues, including increasing services and voter turnout among American Indians in New Mexico.
UNM's public service television station, KNME Channel 5, sponsored the discussion with the governor candidates John Sanchez, Bill Richardson and David Bacon.
The program, titled Native Voices, Native Votes, aired at 7 p.m.
The panel included four American Indian, tribal and organizational leaders with backgrounds in a broad range of areas including tribal government, public government and healthcare. Broadcast journalist Conroy Chino moderated the panel discussion.
Each candidate was allowed about 30 minutes to answer questions and make closing remarks.
Topics panelists most asked candidates about were communication issues between sovereign tribal governments and the state, the lack of representation for American Indian living in urban areas and how each candidate would increase services as well as voter turnout among American Indians in New Mexico.
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Gaming, healthcare and education were also issues touched upon by governor candidates.
The first to speak was Sanchez, the Republican candidate.
"The state of New Mexico has to have a place at the table with Native Americans," he said.
He said he opposes off-reservation gaming and that he would examine the revenue sharing process for funds generated by Indian gaming to look for improvements in the capital outlay system.
Urban American Indians, Sanchez said, need more of a voice, much like tribal Indians.
Overall, Sanchez said he would like to increase the Bureau of Indian Affairs' access to the governor's office, lower taxes, reform education and bring all New Mexicans together.
Richardson, the Democratic candidate, said that he would like to improve the state's relationship with tribal governments by regularly consulting their leaders and promoting more American Indians to his cabinet.
Richardson said Indian gaming is "good for New Mexico," but if ways to funnel revenue to better help everyone exist, he would be all for it.
He said that key health issues facing American Indians today, such as alcoholism, teen suicide and Hepatitis C, can be better addressed if he establishes an American-Indian liaison to work with HMOs and state representatives.
The final candidate to speak was Bacon, the Green Party gubernatorial nominee.
Bacon, who is running with lieutenant governor candidate Kathy Sanchez, a Tewa American Indian from the San Ildefonso Pueblo, said he would rely on his running mate to better serve the interests of American Indians in New Mexico.
Bacon said that maintaining the sovereignty of tribal governments would be a necessary step in improving the relationship between tribal governments and the state.
He added that he was unsure if he would elevate the BIA to a cabinet role within the government.
Bacon said his party wants to make healthcare available to all New Mexicans, including American Indians on the reservations and in distant rural areas.
Bacon stressed that his party would work to honor all American Inidan values and make healthcare a primary issue for voters.
