Hello, my name is Zachary RunningWolf, and I’m running for mayor of Berkeley. I want to emphasize that I am a leader, not a politician. My only interest is the well being of the community, not personal gain. I want to see this city become more self-sufficient, community oriented, and a model of environmental forward thinking for the nation.
I am a leader for the 85,000 Native Americans in the Bay Area, which is the largest native community in the United States except for Oklahoma City. Some of my accomplishments include:
- Spearheading the movement to get AC Transit to begin a biodiesel pilot program
- Serving on the Peace and Justice Commission
- Helping save Ethnic Studies at UC Berkeley, and participating as a guest lecturer for Native American studies
- Spearheading the name change of Columbus Elementary School to Rosa Parks Elementary School
- Raising money for the InterTribal Friendship House, saving it from 385,000 dollars in debt
- Helping to start the American Indian Public Charter School, focusing on the food program
- Starting a Native American catering business to keep cultural foods from being forgotten
- Running 4,400 miles from San Francisco to Philadelphia for Mumia Abu-Jamal
- Running 1,500 miles to bring attention to the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, which protects native children from being adopted outside of their culture
- Running 1,000 miles to 28 California casinos to get contributions for urban Native American non-profits
- Becoming considered an elder by the worldwide indigenous community at the young age of 42
A major focus of mine is preserving our earth and natural resources for the seven generations. I continually look to the children and think if I have protected them and left a better world for them to live in. Some examples of my environmental efforts include:
- Going without driving for the last 5 years, and using a bicycle for transportation instead
- Supporting Critical Mass rides in the Bay Area, and starting the ride in Oakland
- Working alone and with the Lake Merritt Institute to keep Lake Merritt clean
- Riding a bicycle 1,300 miles to promote the use of green energy (solar, wind, and biodiesel) in the Native American community
- Supporting 200% the people responsible for the ‘STOP DRIVING’ signs, especially in these critical times of global warming
One of the reasons I’m giving up the mayor’s salary is to show that money will not influence me, in other words, I’m taking corruption out of leadership. People mistakenly associate politicians with leaders. Leaders work for the benefit of the people, while politicians work for the benefit of themselves with little regard for normal people. These days, we accept politicians, even though we know that they are going to sell us out to the highest bidder. People should see politicians for what they really are, paid prostitutes and thieves, and start to expect real leadership from their public officials. I am not a politician, I am a leader, and I make sacrifices for the people. I have not ever been paid for my work as a native leader.
My run for mayor is dedicated to my late friend and campaign manager Thunder.
