Palin candidacy shone light on Alaska Native issues

indian country today ^ | Feb 6, 2009 | Rob Capriccioso

[curth]

ANCHORAGE – Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin may not have been the most popular of candidates for American Indian voters in 2008, but she did manage to bring plenty of attention – both good and bad – to issues affecting Alaska Natives.

When Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., announced in August that Palin would be his running mate, many in Indian country paid special attention to the fact that the governor is married to Todd Palin, who is of Yup’ik Eskimo descent. The couple’s five children are also of Alaska Native heritage.

Both supporters and detractors noted that Palin’s husband seemed to play a key role in her decision-making, and some said it would be especially helpful if he could help the general public understand more about tribal issues, especially those surrounding Alaska Native Corporations. The corporations were established in 1971 after Congress passed the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, which settled land and financial claims made by Alaska Natives and provided for the establishment of 13 regional corporations to administer those claims.

“There’s always a need to spread more knowledge about our issues, and Todd Palin is an excellent resource,” Jana McKeag, a co-chair of American Indians for McCain Coalition, told Indian Country Today in early September. Indian supporters also noted that Palin leads a state that contains more than 225 of the 560-plus federally-recognized tribes in the U.S.

[papasmurf]

Too bad they didn’t rally around one of their, now isn’t it? Might have made a difference if they had made a lot of public noise.

How many native Americans are there in our Country? How many votes did we lose by?

[Eska]

I know Indians who vote for repubs, but they are registered democrats. I live 1/2 mile away from Indian Village on the Yukon.

Indians have lost everything they started with 100 years back. If Usa ever had to pay for treatys ect; that would bannkrupt the country. Indians just bite their tongue and walk away.

Alot of half breeds in Ak. What matters is how you were raised. Some Natives are raised in our society, some in the village.

[Browen82]

I’m not sure it would have made a big difference...the biggest Native American population states which went for Obama (from Wikipedia):
New Mexico: 9.7% (Native Americans as % of total population)
Oregon: 1.8%
Washington: 1.5%
Maybe if all the Native Americans in New Mexico went for McCain he could have taken it, but no other states would have been in play. Traditionally, this group goes 90% Democrat as well.

I think that it would have been a very positive issue to raise in the campaign, as Native Americans have historically been under-represented. Maybe it’ll be a bigger issue in 4 years time when Palin runs for President! In any case, a Republican party with increased ethnic diversity in prominent positions (Steele, Jindal etc.) is a positive thing both for the party and for politics in America.

As it’s my first post, thought I’d say hello to everyone here. I’m a Brit who has had a long-time interest in American politics, and hope to contribute something to this community!

[rhinohunter]

Traditionally, this group goes 90% Democrat as well.

They need to be on the govt dole so they can afford their encounters with Jack Daniels.