‘I have made mistakes’
Warren apologizes to Native Americans, again
Presidential hopeful Elizabeth Warren apologized Monday to Native Americans over her past claims to tribal heritage in an atonement one Cherokee genealogist questioned as only coming as the Massachusetts senator looks to lock up votes.
“Like anyone who has been honest with themselves, I know I have made mistakes,” Warren said at a forum on Native American issues in Sioux City, Iowa. “I am sorry for the harm I have caused.”
The apology, said Cherokee genealogist Twila Barnes, fell short for some in the Cherokee Nation.
“She didn’t really acknowledge the harmful things she’s done,” Barnes told the Herald. “It makes her a weaker candidate, and will continue to be an issue for her.”
Barnes, who added the Democratic Party should be able to find someone better suited for the presidential nomination, called out the timing.
“The only reason why she’s saying sorry is because there’s something in it for her,” Barnes said. “Before running for president, she didn’t apologize and that’s a major character flaw. It’s not to help natives. It’s to help her.”
Warren has scrubbed her campaign website of references to her Cherokee ancestry claims, according to published reports.
Warren last week unveiled a plan to aid tribal nations — a day after President Trump mocked her claims of Native American heritage during a New Hampshire campaign rally.
Trump told his rally crowd of thousands, “I did the Pocahontas thing. I hit her really hard and it looked like she was down and out, but that was too long ago. I should have waited. But don’t worry. We will revive it.”
Warren’s latest policy proposal focuses on improving health care in Native American communities, expanding access to educational and economic opportunities, preserving tribal sovereignty and addressing criminal justice issues.
The detailed policy agenda to help Native Americans that she released last week did help her secure a warm reception from attendees at the tribal forum.
“A lot of evolution has been shown by her,” said Jean-Luc Pierite of the North American Indian Center of Boston. “We certainly appreciate the fact that her platform has something of substance to support the indigenous nations in the U.S.”