Joe Miller, the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate, attended the Alaska Federation of Natives convention last week after accusing Alaska Native corporations of trying to "buy" the election.

Miller was going to be a part of a debate at the convention on Friday. But AFN leaders were upset that he filed a Federal Election Commission complaint that argues Native corporations can't contribute to political campaigns.

"He attacked us. That’s Native corporation money. That’s Native money. That’s us. That’s us," AFN Chair Albert Kookesh, a Democratic state lawmaker, told The Anchorage Daily News. "We’re Native. He attacked us."

AFN canceled the debate and unanimously endorsed Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) for her write-in campaign. But that didn't stop Miller from trying to garner support at the convention in Fairbanks although he faced a skeptical crowd, according to news reports.

Attendees questioned Miller's views on federal government contracting, which has proved to be a big boost for Native corporations. He supports reforms to the 8(a) program because he says more money should go into the hands of shareholders.

Alaskans Standing Together, an independent expenditure committee largely funded by Native corporations, has spent $1.2 million on its effort to support Murkowski.

Get the Story:
Joe Miller cuts friendly figure at AFN, but many not convinced (The Tundra Drums 10/23)
Joe Miller makes AFN appearance (The Fairbanks Daily News Miner 10/23)
Kookesh: Criticism from Miller spurred cancellation of AFN Senate debate (The Fairbanks Daily News Miner 10/23)
AFN canceled Senate forum because Miller 'attacked us,' chairman says (The Anchorage Daily News 10/23)
Pro-Murkowski group hands out temporary tattoos at AFN (Alaska Dispatch 10/23)
Ethics take center stage in Senate debate (AP 10/25)

Related Stories:
Alaska Federation of Natives endorses Lisa Murkowski in Senate (10/22)
Republican accuses Alaska Native corporations of violating laws (10/21)
Report: Public radio station airs Alaska Native political message (10/21)
Alaska Federation of Natives cancels Senate candidate debate (10/20)
GOP candidate says Alaska Native firms trying to 'buy' election (10/15)
Alaska Native corporations spend $595K for Sen. Murkowski (10/12)
GOP candidate says Native corporations not helping villages (10/11)
Scott McAdams: Senate race about IHS and Native subsistence (10/8)
Senate hopeful promises support for Alaska Native sovereignty (10/6)
Alaska Native group endorses Sen. Murkowski for re-election (10/5)
Sen. Murkowski wrong on claim about Aleut word for 'impossible' (9/28)
Alaska Native groups back Sen. Murkowski for write-in campaign (9/27)
Republicans leave Sen. Murkowski in top energy committee post (9/23)
Sen. Murkowski launches write-in campaign after losing primary (9/20)
Sen. Murkowski concedes Republican primary race to challenger (9/1)
Sen. Murkowski faces loss of seat in close primary vote in Alaska (8/26)