San Bernardino Sun (August 22, 2007)

Camp Teaches How to Run Campaign
George Watson, Staff Writer

CABAZON, CALIF. - Like most summer camp attendees, Maya Torralba found herself gaining confidence from the lessons instilled by her instructors.

But unlike most camps, where kids swim, play or practice a particular athletic skill, Torralba was one of 45 adults learning how to run a political campaign.

The camp is run by INDN's List, a partisan organization based in Tulsa, Okla., that backs American Indians who are Democratic candidates for political office.

"Coming here, it became very concrete - I am capable of doing this," Torralba, a member of the Kiowa Tribe who lives in Anadarko, Okla., said Monday, the first day of the INDN Campaign Camp 2007. "The support is wonderful."

INDN's List officials already had the same sense. They gave Torralba a scholarship to attend the week-long session at Morongo Casino, Resort and Spa in Cabazon. Torralba, 29, plans to run for the Arizona Legislature in 2010.

"She has the innate talent and the vision," said Kalyn Free, the president of INDN's List and a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. "What she is lacking are the skills and experience.

"And that's what we do - teach the science of politics."

They apparently teach it quite well. INDN's List first began the campaign camps two years ago.

In 2006, it supported 26 Indian candidates, 20 of whom won.

Of the 45 attendees this year, 18 consider themselves candidates in upcoming elections. Like Torralba, most received at least a partial scholarship, Free said, because many participants come from poverty.

The rest are people interested in working on a campaign staff, or, like Torralba, are eyeing future runs at public office. Candidates must be of Indian descent.

A total of 25 tribes from around the nation are represented at the camp. The camp offers vast lessons on the nuances of campaigns.

The first day's itinerary included such lessons as "Delivering an Effective Message," "Creating Your Stump Speech," "How to Create Your Vision," and "Opposition Research Basics."

Speakers are highly skilled consultants and campaign workers who donated their time, Free said.

Edward IronCloud, 43, of Porcupine, S.D., said he came because he was always interested in running for public office. Previously, he has bid for a seat on his tribal council, the Oglala Sioux, but he figured an attempt for public office outside the tribe would be entirely different.

After listening to some of the presentations, he realized he was right.

"It gives me a sense of the hardball they play," IronCloud said after attending the "Opposition Research Basics" session, which was taught by Anne Caprara, formerly a deputy research director of Emily's List. "You have to be really committed and sincere. That's what's going to keep you going when times get tough."

Given that many Indians are first-time candidates, Free said, her organization strives to be a resource so they are successful in their bids the first time.

"Our goal is to try and help them avoid the common pitfalls," she said. "If they lose, it doesn't mean their career is over, but the future becomes more difficult."

For many, the highlight of the camp comes Thursday with the first-ever Indian-sponsored presidential forum of Democratic candidates. New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio, and former Sen. Mike Gravel of Alaska are scheduled to attend the forum, which is not open to the public.