Tribal, state and federal officials met in Missoula, Montana, on Wednesday for the start of the first-ever Border Town Racism Conference.

Speakers said Native people face more racism in border communities, particularly when they exercise their political power. John Dulles, the regional director of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, said Native people have less rights than others in places like Farmington, New Mexico.

Rodney "Fish" Gervais, the director of the tribal employment rights office for the Blackfeet Nation, organized the conference in response to concerns about the treatment of Native Americans in border communities.

The conference concludes today.

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Conference explores racism in cities near reservations (The Missoulian 4/7)

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