Plains

Robert Moore
Rosebud Sioux Reservation, SD

"Keep the Faith!" As this call to action by Rev. Jesse Jackson echoed throughout the United Center, the resonance of his tone reached a depth in my mind that until now had not been tapped by any speaker before him this week. It was reminiscent of what I remember of Democratic National Conventions that I watched on the old black and white my family had when I was growing up.

I am from the Rosebud Sioux Tribe and currently live on the Rosebud Sioux Indian Reservation in south central South Dakota. My community, much like the communities Rev. Jackson described, has been called impoverished, desperate, oppressed, and without hope. It is the fourth poorest county in the U.S....

My father, like Rev. Jackson, is a minister. He too has seen his children reach heights that were simply not available to him. One, for me personally, was to honor my family, tribe, and South Dakota by opening the 1996 Convention by singing the National Anthem and participating as a delegate. There will be more. Not just for me and my family, but for every child, parent, and grandparent, throughout Indian country in the United States. Opportunity that has not existed ever before, economically, socially, politically, and humanly, will emerge, and through education, will be prepared to embrace it.

We have to keep the faith. Reverend Jackson did, my father and mother have, now the action that will fulfill their faith belongs to me. It belongs to you. We have a saying that has endured centuries and centuries of faith: Wowicala su yuhapo! Keep the faith!

Jonette Engan
Willmar, MN

The hours have zoomed by the last two days. Both days have been jam-packed with lunches, tours, forms, receptions, delegation meetings and convention sessions. After Monday's delegation meeting, several of us took advantage of one of the $19.96 convention luncheon specials at the Pump Room....

After the delegation meeting, a small group of us went on a walking tour of the area around our hotel. The tour was led by State Representative Dee Long of Minneapolis. Dee attended college in the Chicago area and is familiar with much of the city's architecture and history. She was able to bring this alive for all of us during this tour. I even saw a piece of the Kensington Runestone, the stone tablet found in a farmer's field in Minnesota that indicates the Vikings were here before Columbus. This small piece of the Runestone is one of many famous stones that are scattered along the walls of the Chicago Tribune building.

After another $19.96 lunch special, I attended the issues forum at the Sheraton Hotel. It featured Secretary of Agriculture Dan Glickman, discussing a wide range of agricultural issues. We had to go through three security stops at the Sheraton, because that's where the Clintons are staying. Then, a mad dash to Buddy Guy's Legends for the Blue Dog Democrats' Blues Bash. Congressman Minge is a member of the Blue Dogs, a conservative Democratic group. While we were there, I had the privilege of hearing Congressman Colin Peterson of Minnesota perform with the band. He is very talented and everybody enjoyed his singing and guitar playing......

Max Laird
Thompson, ND

The pace of this event is blurring and the activity is overwhelming. When a celebrity like Joe Kennedy, George McGovern, or Jewel goes by the delegation it is difficult to maintain ones concentration. Its amazing how the volume level in the hall changes over a session. Yes, Jesse Jackson can fire up a crowd! ...

A full version of this letter is available....

Jim Berg
Pierre, SD

To me the most outstanding speeches the first two days have been Hillary Clinton, Jesse Jackson and Mario Cuomo. Hillary emphasized and convinced us of her understanding of the challenges of raising children, balancing motherhood with the need to work, the necessity of managing a home while being a spouse, or worse, a single parent.

Jesse Jackson, in his invigorating oratory, stressed the importance of inclusiveness and involvement. He stressed that affirmative action is fair treatment not special treatment. He implored everyone to get involved and vote or you really do not count....

A special treat for all of us from South Dakota was seeing our own Tom Daschle sworn in as convention co-chair and receiving his due credit as Senate Democrat leader. The other thing Monday that made us very proud was watching and hearing Robert Moore of Rosebud, South Dakota sing the National Anthem at the opening ceremony of the 1996 Democrat Convention....

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