Montana's Indian vote could make the difference in the hotly contested race between Sen. Conrad Burns (R) and Democrat Jon Tester.

American Indians and Alaska Natives make up about 7 percent of the state population. In 2004, about 42,000 Indian people were eligible to vote.

"In close races in Montana, the Indian vote makes a difference," Stan Juneau, a member of the Blackfeet Nation, told The Great Falls Tribune. "I think this year, in the race between Burns and Tester, the reservation vote � the Indian vote � is going to be the deciding factor."

Burns and Tester have been actively courting tribes, who by and large do not endorse any particular candidate. By the end of the campaign, Burns and Tester will have visited all seven reservations. Burns also met with the landless Little Shell Chippewa Tribe.

Get the Story:
Indian vote could be the difference (The Great Falls Tribune 11/1)
Abramoff pal highlights Burns staff�s handouts (NBC News 10/31)

Relevant Links:
Jon Tester for US Senate - http://www.testerforsenate.com
Conrad Burns for Senate - http://www.conradburns.com
Sen. Conrad Burns - http://burns.senate.gov
Montana Republican Party - http://www.mtgop.org
Montana Democratic Party - http://www.montanademocrats.org

Related Stories:
Burns would have 'starved' without Abramoff (10/31)
Sen. Burns behind 11 points in poll against Tester (10/19)
Sen. Burns on Human Events 'Most Vulnerable' list (10/16)
Column: Montana voters grow tired of Sen. Burns (10/11)
Burns denies being a target of Abramoff probe (09/20)
Burns said to be under scrutiny after guilty plea (9/19)
Ethics panel won't clear Sen. Burns over Abramoff (08/03)
UK Telegraph: Can Indians defeat Sen. Burns? (06/09)
Sen. Burns wins primary, faces Democrat Jon Tester (6/7)
Letter: Sen. Burns deserves support of Montanans (04/27)
Sen. Burns hires white collar criminal attorney (4/26)
Poll numbers remain steady for embattled Sen. Burns (4/24)
Sen. Burns named one of worst senators by Time (4/18)
Sen. Dole says GOP backs embattled Sen. Burns (4/14)
Abramoff used tribe's political donations as leverage (4/12)
Opinion: First Montanans ignored by Sen. Burns (3/30)
Bush backs Sen. Burns at Washington fundraiser (3/28)
Sen. Burns faces Republican primary challenge (3/22)
DOJ examined financial records of Sen. Burns, staffers (3/14)
Abramoff boasts of favors received from Sen. Burns (3/9)
Abramoff not slowing down Burns, DeLay or Ney (3/3)
Abramoff scandal a campaign issue for Sen. Burns (3/1)
Montana Democrats air new Burns-Abramoff ad (01/31)
Sen. Burns ad says Abramoff 'ripped off' tribes (1/25)
Chippewa Cree leaders want to take Abramoff cash (1/25)
Sen. Burns still trying to give away Abramoff cash (1/24)
Chippewa Cree Tribe stands behind Sen. Burns (1/23)
Sen. Burns having a hard time shaking Abramoff (1/23)
Sen. Burns won't hold birthday bash at lobbying firm (1/20)
Editorial: Burns should take lead on lobbying reform (1/20)
Jodi Rave: Burns to celebrate birthday with lobbyists (1/19)
Sen. Burns to recycle Abramoff donations again (1/19)
Blackfeet tribal college won't take Burns money (1/19)
Montana-Wyoming council rejects Abramoff cash (1/18)
Former Burns staffer confirms investigation by DOJ (1/18)
Jodi Rave: Sen. Burns ignored Cobell, tribal issues (1/17)
Sen. Burns losing support among Montana voters (01/12)
Tribal colleges happy to receive Abramoff donations (01/11)
Sen. Burns blames media for Abramoff story (1/10)
Editorial: Burns, Baucus and Rehberg were bought (12/22)
Abramoff still an issue for Montana politicians (12/21)
Editorial: No more nasty politics on Montana? (12/21)
Burns staffer went on Abramoff Super Bowl trip (12/21)
Ex-Abramoff associate pleads guilty in Montana (12/21)
Sen. Baucus returns $19K in Abramoff donations (12/20)
Another Republican returns Abramoff donations (12/19)
Burns to return $150K in Abramoff donations (12/16)
Editorial: Burns should return Abramoff donations (12/15)
Burns already spent donations from Abramoff (12/14)
Former Burns aide talks with Abramoff investigators (12/13)
Editorial: Don't hate Burns, hate the system (12/12)
Burns wishes Abramoff had 'never been born' (12/9)
Opinion: Burns worried about public opinion (12/9)
Sen. Burns to launch Abramoff offensive in January (12/8)
Sen. Burns wants name cleared in Abramoff probe (12/7)
Staffer for Sen. Burns went to work for Abramoff (12/05)
Ex-Abramoff associate charged in Montana for poaching (08/19)
Sen. Burns took $34K from ex-Abramoff client (11/30)
Abramoff probe spreads to members of Congress (11/28)
Abramoff probe looking into Congress, Bush (11/25)
Montana Democrats to run ads against Burns (11/22)
Ex-Abramoff associate charged in Montana for poaching (08/19)
Democrats to make change to Burns, Abramoff ad (08/10)
Democrat ad criticizes Burns for ties to Abramoff (8/9)
Democrats received donations from Abramoff tribes (06/03)
Bloomberg: Abramoff tribes gave $1.4M to Congress (05/19)
Sen. Burns: Support for Montana tribes is known (04/18)
Burns says Michigan delegation backed school funds (04/04)
Editorial: Burns has chance to restore Indian funds (3/31)
Democrats want Burns to return tribal donations (03/29)
Burns denies wrongdoing for helping Abramoff client (03/24)
Chairman: Montana tribes support Senator Burns (3/18)
Editorial: Facts don't look good for Senator Burns (03/14)
Editorial: Burns needs better story on Abramoff flap (3/8)
Firm offers $9M refund to Saginaw Chippewa Tribe (3/7)
Editorial: A 'Super Bowl' earmark for tribe (3/7)
Editorial: Burns 'enriched' by Abramoff and tribes (3/7)
Horse Sense: Burns and Baucus 'cozy' with lobbyists (3/7)
Burns promises cooperation with Abramoff probe (3/4)
Editorial: Who do you work for, Senator Burns? (3/4)
Burns looking into Abramoff ties, Dorgan denies link (3/2)
Burns, Dorgan backed $3M grant for Abramoff client (3/1)
Tribal lobbying scandal hurts ex-Abramoff firm (02/17)
Sag Chip recall targets anti-Abramoff tribal leaders (02/11)
High-priced lobbyist scam linked to lawmakers (11/18)
Documents detail lobbyists' role in tribal elections (10/04)
More hearings slated in tribal lobbyist scandal (09/30)
Senate hearing on tribal lobbying probe set (8/26)
Saginaw Chippewa leader who paid lobbyists ousted (06/04)
Indian Country awaits outcome of lobbying probe (05/18)
Saginaw Chippewa Tribe wonders where $14M went (04/20)
Saginaw Chippewa Tribe hires new lobbying firm (03/09)
GOP lobbyist scores big with tribes (04/03)
Embattled tribe gets new lobbyist (12/13)