U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders honoured with Coast Salish name

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders received a CoastSalishname during a campaign visit in Seattle on March 20.

In the video posted to YouTube, former Tulalip councillor Deborah Parker presents Sanders with the Lushootseed name dxshudiup (pronounced dooh-s-who-dee-choop).

"That is a wonderful honour you bestow on me, I accept it with deep appreciation," Sanders saidin response to the name.

Sanders has focused considerable attention on indigenous issues during his campaign, visiting communities including the Meskwaki territories in Iowaand the Navajo territories in Arizona. He hasalsoappointed Tara Houska, from CouchichingFirst Nation inOntario, as hisNative American adviser.

• Couchiching First Nation's Tara Houska advises Bernie Sanders on First Nation issues

On the official YouTube channel for Sanders's campaign, he addressesindigenous voters in a videocalled "We are Listening to Native Americans."

"This campaign is listening to a people who never get listened to, and that is our Native American brothers and sisters," saidSanders.

"For hundreds of years treaties have been broken, they have been lied to, together we are going to change that and treat Native Americans with the respect and dignity that they deserve."

Coast Salish people are from the Pacific Northwest, and live in British Columbia and south of the border in the states of Washington and Oregon.