Andrea Joy Campbell: “Sid Yates, former Congressman from Ohio and a long-time friend of Indian country passed away last week. I am…”

“Sid Yates, former Congressman from Ohio and a long-time friend of Indian country passed away last week. I am particularly saddened because in the last 2 years, we have lost Morris Thompson, the Alaska Native tribal leader and one of the instrumental leaders in Alaska politics, Dr. Helen Peterson one of the founders of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), and now our long-time friend Sid Yates. Indian country is losing far too many friends and most unfortunate is that we seem to be losing more friends than we are gaining. As a Congressman from the State of Ohio with no federally-recognized Indian Tribes Sid Yates had no political reason to become the champion for Indian causes that he was known for. His dedication was not part of constituent service and he stood to lose more than he gained from his advocacy. Nonetheless, Sid Yates' commitment and determination to do the right thing never wavered. I am saddened to be making this statement because all who knew or came in contact with Sid Yates were awed by his generous heart and humbled by the patience he showed with his colleagues and with the public--even when they disagreed with him. His patience and focus in the legislative realm were legendary. Sid Yates started what I believe an appropriate protocol in the House Subcommittee by affording every Tribal Leader wishing to come before the subcommittee the brief opportunity to describe the most pressing needs of his or her Tribe.”