Satiacum got involved in this election cycle as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia for Bernie Sanders. He was among the delegates who stormed the press tent after Clinton was formally nominated. Satiacum was picked as a delegate, he said, largely by chance after delivering brief remarks at a local convention decrying the lack of concern for Indian Country. Later, Patsy Whiteout, a prominent Native American education advocate, nominated him to be an elector.
Satiacum said his culture requires him to respect his elders, and that Whitefoots decision to nominate him also weighs against any consideration he has about potentially dropping out. Though he said he was aware that rejecting Clinton as an elector would anger his political allies, he said that hes worried the party which he says he has been active in since only about 2009 has gone off course.
Thats where Im stuck, he said. I talked to my mom late last night about this. I talked to my wife
My wife says Im overthinking it. She said, you dont have to vote.
Whitefoot did not respond to a request for comment. Satiacum worried she might be offended if he gave up his seat in the Electoral College. But mostly, he said, he thinks about his six children and 10 grandchildren.
My hands are tied. Ive been elected. I cant walk in on that day and do what my wife did: act like Im happy to be there and elect the first woman president, he said. Theres 16 souls that have the future ahead of them
16 other lives and souls Im considering when I say no, Im not going to vote for her.
