{"id":1079,"date":"2024-09-05T10:38:31","date_gmt":"2024-09-05T15:38:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/NativeVote\/?p=1079"},"modified":"2024-09-05T10:39:23","modified_gmt":"2024-09-05T15:39:23","slug":"you-have-chosen-to-disrespect-the-original-montanans-montana-american-indian-caucus-to-tim-sheehy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/indianz.com\/NativeVote\/2024\/09\/05\/you-have-chosen-to-disrespect-the-original-montanans-montana-american-indian-caucus-to-tim-sheehy\/","title":{"rendered":"‘You have chosen to disrespect the original Montanans’: Montana American Indian Caucus to Tim Sheehy"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Letter from members of the Montana American Indian Caucus to Republican candidate Tim Sheehy on September 4, 2024<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>
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Members of the Montana American Indian Caucus are accusing U.S. Senate candidate Tim Sheehy<\/a>, a Republican, of perpetuating \"damaging and racist\" stereotypes about Native people<\/a> in order to appeal to non-Native voters.<\/p>

Eight Indian lawmakers, all Democrats, sent a letter to Sheehy on September 4, 2024. They cited remarks in which the Republican politician described Native people as being \"drunk at 8am\" and said they threw beer cans at him at a tribal event.<\/p>

\"As a candidate for office in Montana, you have a responsibility to know and respect the Indian communities you are running to represent. You are also responsible for using your platform to advocate for that respect to your political supporters,\" the one-page letter<\/a> states.<\/p>

\"Instead, you have chosen to disrespect the original Montanans as a strategy to pander to the non-Indian vote and political funders. Your remarks have only further alienated the tribal people from your party,\" the lawmakers wrote. [PDF<\/a>]<\/p>

The letter was signed by Sen. Susan Webber, Sen. Mike Fox,\u00a0 Sen. Shane Morigeau, Rep. Tyson Running Wolf, Rep. Sharon Stewart Peregoy,\u00a0 Rep. Donavon Hawk, Rep. Jonathan Windy Boy and Rep. Frank Smith.<\/p>

Peregoy's district includes the Crow Reservation<\/a>, where Sheehy does business with a rancher<\/a> and where he has campaigned. Sheehy's remarks about \"drunk\" Native people and beer cans were tied to the Crow Tribe<\/a>.<\/p>

Two Indian lawmakers who are Republicans -- Sen. Jason Small and Rep. Rhonda Knudsen -- did not sign the Montana American Indian Caucus letter to Sheehy.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/section>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Native lawmakers in Montana say Republican candidate Tim Sheehy is perpetuating “damaging and racist” stereotypes in order to appeal to non-Native voters.<\/p>\n

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