SACRAMENTO, Calif., Aug. 1 -- The Indigenous Democratic Network List (INDN's List), the only grassroots political organization devoted to recruiting and electing Native American candidates and mobilizing the Indian Vote throughout America, will conduct a week-long Campaign Camp -- an intense five-day training for more than 60 future candidates and campaign staff. The 2007 Campaign Camp will be held on the Morongo Band of Mission Indians reservation in Cabazon, CA from August 20-25.

Kalyn Free, president of INDN's List and a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, said the organization believes in the power of Indians as candidates, as contributors, as campaign professionals, and as voters to bring about great change in the American political landscape.

"Only when tribal citizens are involved in the political process and are seen as viable candidates to both Indians and non-Indians, will the balances of power in America begin to shift," Free said. "Indians must see other Indians running for and winning political office, so that future generations will be inspired to be a part of our nation's political discourse."

Free said there are 18 future American Indian candidates representing 17 tribes from nine states, including Oklahoma, Arizona, New Mexico, Washington, Alaska, California, Colorado, Michigan and Montana currently accepted in the candidate training program, which is designed to give them the knowledge and know-how they will need to run and win campaigns. She said she hopes to triple the number of candidates before the 2008 primaries. The campaign staff training program has 39 enrollees from 12 states. Twenty-one different tribal nations will be represented in the campaign staff training.

The first INDN's List Campaign Camp was held in Minnesota in 2005. In 2006, INDN's List supported 26 American Indian candidates, representing 19 tribes, running in 12 states across America; 20 of those 26 candidates won, which is a 77 percent win-record.

"At Campaign Camp, our candidates and their staff will spend a week in intensive training to acquire the knowledge to run winning campaigns and continue to build political power. These promising future leaders of Indian Country share a vision for building strong communities, and are committed to growing a brighter tomorrow for all Americans," Free said

These future leaders will be trained by campaign professionals from the premier grassroots organizations and strategy firms, including Democracy for America, EMILY's List, 21st Century Democrats, Progressive Majority, Wellstone Action, Lake Research Partners, Georgetown Strategies, Arizona List, America Votes, Winning Connections, Skyline Public Works, and Strother Duffy Strother.

If you are interested in covering Campaign Camp as a member of the press, please download an application for press credentials by clicking here. Fax your completed application to 918.583.6104. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it with any questions about media coverage of Campaign Camp.

Source: The Indigenous Democratic Network List