Elizabeth Warren makes a surprise appearance at Native American luncheon

Democratic Senator Elizabeth Warren made a surprise appearance at a luncheon honoring Native American women leaders Tuesday. 

During the National Indian Women’s ‘Supporting Each Other’ lunch in Washington DC, Warren called for ‘action’ on issues important to their community including the rising problem of missing and murdered indigenous women. 

Warren’s meeting Tuesday comes amid lingering tensions over her past claims to be of Native American heritage as she seeks the Democratic presidential nomination. 

President Donald Trump continues to hit Warren on the issue, mocking her with the name ‘Pocahontas’ and recently tweeting about ‘the TRAIL’ in what some viewed as a reference to Native American genocide.

She was introduced by Rep Deb Haaland, one of two Native Americans serving in Congress, who called Warren ‘a great friend to Indian Country’

Warren was introduced Tuesday by New Mexico Democratic Rep Deb Haaland, one of two Native Americans serving in Congress, who called the Massachusetts senator ‘a great friend to Indian Country’.

Haaland and Warren said they’re working together on new legislation addressing Native American issues.

According to the Huffington Post, Warren received a standing ovation from tribal leaders and the other attendees as she made her way to the stage. 

In her speech, Warren called on Congress to take action on issues facing Native Americans, including the ‘alarming number of missing and murdered indigenous women and girls,’ as well as suicide rates among Native people, housing and health care.     

‘The agenda is enormous and the fights will be tough,’ Warren said. ‘In tough fights, it is important to have leaders like Cheryl out in front. Cheryl is warm, and understanding and sharp. She’s forceful and let’s say it – she persists.’

Brenda Toineeta Pipestem, a former NIWRC board member and currently a tribal Supreme Court justice said it is ‘important’ the native community show their support for Warren, calling her an ally. 

‘We have to rely on our allies to fight for us behind closed doors and on the floor of the Senate to protect our Native American women and children,’ Pipestem said. 

This comes amid tension over her past claims that she was of Native American heritage, pictured Tuesday during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on Capitol Hill

Warren called for ‘action’ on issues important to their community such as the rising problem of missing and murdered indigenous women

The US President made another ‘Pocahontas’ swipe at the Democrat on Saturday in a tweet

This comes a week after Warren repeatedly apologized for claiming on a 1986 form to be ‘American Indian,’ saying she is not a citizen of any tribe.

Warren faced reporters last Wednesday after a bombshell report brought to light her state bar application form where she had made the claim. 

With her presidential campaign on the line and a looming swing through key states, Warren expressed repeated regret – but didn’t rule out the possibility that there are more forms from that time period out there. 

‘This is who I grew up believing with my brothers,’ said Warren, who was raised in Oklahoma. 

‘This is our family story. It’s all consistent from that point in time. But as I said, it’s important to note I’m not a tribal citizen and I should have been more mindful of the distinction with tribal citizenship and tribal sovereignty.’

She referenced her previous apology call to a tribal chief about her earlier public release of a DNA test that showed a tiny fraction of native American blood. ‘That’s why I apologized to Chief Baker and why I made a very public apology about it,’ she said.