Democratic presidential contender Elizabeth Warren told the Native American Issues Forum she made “mistakes” in how she handled past claims of Native American ancestry, which critics have long said gave her an unfair advantage in applications for law school professorships.
The Massachusetts senator on Monday expressed regret over her handling of claims to tribal heritage during the first day of the Frank LaMere Native American Presidential Forum in Sioux City, Iowa, touted as the first venue for White House hopefuls to sell their candidacies to Native American Democrats. Her decision to attend the event comes on the heels of last week’s release of her plan addressing native communities.
“I know that I have made mistakes. I am sorry for harm I have caused,” Warren said. “I have listened and I have learned a lot, and I am grateful for the many conversations that we’ve had together. It is a great honor to partner with Indian country.”
Warren’s 2020 ambitions have been damaged in part over allegations she was dishonest about her ethnic background. The charges go back to her successful 2012 Senate race against Republican Sen. Scott Brown, whose supporters taunted her with tomahawk chops. President Trump has repeatedly called Warren, a former Harvard Law School professor, “Pocahontas.”
In response, Warren in October released results from a DNA test showing she had distant Native American ancestors.
Warren on Monday called for “structural” reform to the way the federal government meets its trust and treaty obligations.
Warren was introduced by Democratic Rep. Debbie Haaland of New Mexico, one of the first Native American women elected to Congress. The pair is working on legislation aimed at ensuring the federal government better funds education, housing, healthcare, and public safety programs for tribal nations and indigenous peoples. Some of their initiatives include streamlining the traditional congressional appropriations process and guaranteeing executive branch representation.
Haaland preemptively defended Warren against political attacks lobbed at her, ripping a focus on her heritage for feeding “the president’s racism.”
“Elizabeth knows she will be attacked, but she’s here to be an unwavering partner in our struggle because that is what a leader does,” she said.
