Sen. Elizabeth Warren began her speech Monday morning at the Frank LaMere Native American Presidential Forum in Sioux City with an apology for incorrectly identifying herself as a Native American throughout her career. President Trump catapulted the issue into the headlines last year by labeling her “Pocahontas,” eventually goading her into taking a DNA test which showed she was less than 1% Native American.
“Before I go any further in this I want to say this — like anyone who’s been honest with themselves I know I’ve made mistakes. I’m sorry for any harm I’ve caused,” Warren told the audience. “I have learned a lot and I am grateful for the many conversations that we’ve had together. It is a great honor to be able to partner with Indian country and that’s what I’ve tried to do as a senator, and that is what I promise to do as President of the United States of America.”
“The federal government’s history with our tribal nations has been one of broken promises. We need to make change,” Warren continued. Warren’s campaign released a policy platform aimed at Native American issues on Friday, ahead of this forum: Warren Unveils Native American Policy Plan — The Hill
Watch Warren’s full speech and Q&A at Monday’s event:
President Trump most recently mocked Warren with the name of the 17th-century Native American woman at a New Hampshire rally on Thursday where he said: “I did the Pocahontas thing. I hit her really hard. And it looked like she was down and out. But it was too long ago, I should have waited. But don’t worry, we’ll revive it. It can be revived. It will be revived. And it can be revived very easily and very quickly, and we’re gonna have some fun in the state of New Hampshire.”
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