Andrew Iron Shell of Rapid City did not have an opportunity, after all, to bring health care and suicide on reservations to the attention of the nation and Democratic presidential candidates Saturday at the Heartland Presidential Forum in Des Moines, Iowa.

But the trip was not wasted, said Iron Shell, who gave the closing prayer at the end of the nationally televised forum sponsored by the Campaign for Community Values and Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement.

Iron Shell learned after his arrival in Iowa that his opportunity to speak would not happen, but his prayer mentioned people in communities dealing with "extreme suicide."

When contacted by phone after the forum, Iron Shell said the 10 Native Americans who traveled to Iowa spent two days connecting with people from throughout the country and learned that their concerns about the need for quality health care and higher wages are common issues.

Iron Shell believes the grassroots Campaign for Community Values' effort to influence the 2008 presidential election will catch on with Native Americans who share common values of respect for community and strengthening the family.

"Because it was a voice of the grassroots people, it will be less threatening to our Native American community," he said. "We're actually talking to our neighbors here."

Iron Shell took the stage at the end of the nationally televised forum with a handful of his traveling companions, including Shirley Iron Shell and Mary Ann Bear Heels McGowen of the Rosebud Indian Reservation, Kay Allison and Carla Rabbit of Rapid City, and Ben Long Wolf of Wanblee. Another woman, Sandy Swift Eagle of Rapid City, remained in the audience.

Iron Shell said it was an honor to share the experience with the Native American women for whom the trip was difficult because of their health, the distance they had to travel and the winter storm that moved through Iowa.

"A lot of our people consider the political system invasive, so it makes it difficult for us to engage in the political process," Iron Shell said. "But these women, by coming, exemplified the spirit of our Lakota women and our nation."

Illinois Sen. Barack Obama, former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards, Connecticut Sen. Christopher Dodd and Ohio Congressman Dennis Kucinich appeared at the forum.

In the wake of a hostage takeover at a New Jersey campaign office on Friday, New York's Sen. Hillary Clinton joined the forum through a satellite link.

Obama stopped to speak with the Lakota women after his appearance on stage, Iron Shell said.

Contact Andrea Cook at 394-8423 or andrea.cook@rapidcityjournal.com