The rural adviser for Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin (R) announced her resignation on Monday, saying an Alaska Native should hold the job.

"I definitely think it would help to have an Alaska Native in this position," Rhonda McBride, who is non-Native, told the Associated Press.

Two of Palin's 13 Cabinet members are Native but Alaska Natives say the governor hasn't appointed or hired enough Native people. She appointed a Native subsistence rights opponent to an important state board, relenting after Native groups complained. A Native person eventually took the job.

Palin fired the first Alaska Native to serve as public safety commissioner and replaced him with someone who was the subject of a sexual harassment complaint. That candidate withdrew amid controversy and she ended up appointing a Native person to the post.

Get the Story:
Palin's rural adviser quits (AP 10/13)
pwpwd

Related Stories:
Commentary: Gov. Palin's family eligible for IHS (10/7)
Elders praise Sen. Murkowski, mum on Gov. Palin (10/7)
Column: Gov. Palin insults victims of rape (9/30)
Gov. Palin urged to form Native village task force (9/30)
Gov. Palin too busy to meet with tribal leaders (9/29)
Kendall Miller: Inconvenient truths about Gov. Palin (9/26)
Gov. Palin accepted gifts from Alaska Native exec (9/26)
Opinion: Alaska a disaster under Gov. Palin (9/26)
Opinion: It's time for Gov. Palin to bow out of the race (9/26)
Palin loses Alaska Native subsistence rights case (9/24)
9th Circuit decision in Alaska subsistence case (9/23)
Opinion: McCain-Palin 'old school' on Indians (9/23)
Turtle Talk: Sen. McCain and future of Indian law (9/22)
Newsweek: Gov. Sarah Palin's pipeline to nowhere (9/22)
Alaska's 'First Dude' active in state business (9/22)
Alaska Real: Todd Palin's indigenous roots (9/19)
Probe of Alaska Native official's firing awaits testimony (9/18)
Campbell: Gov. Palin supports Alaska Natives (9/17)
Gov. Palin attacks Alaska Native official's work (9/16)
Alaska Native named public safety commissioner (9/15)
Attorneys: Gov. Palin's record on Alaska Natives (09/09)
Palin billed state for living at home and family travel (9/9)
Editorial: Gov. Palin stalling on Troopergate probe (9/8)
Gov. Palin claims trooper disparaged Natives (9/4)
Column: Liberals smear 'drunken Indian' husband (9/3)
Governor's husband takes on role as 'First Dude' (9/3)
Fired Alaska Native cop not contacted by McCain (9/2)
McCain picks Alaska governor for running mate (9/1)
Sen. McCain to announce vice presidential pick (08/28)
Alaska lawmakers to probe firing of Native top cop (7/29)
Controversy continues over new Alaska top cop (7/25)
New Alaska top cop was accused of harassment (7/23)
Probe sought into firing of Alaska Native top cop (7/22)
Fired Alaska Native cop cites pressure from governor (7/21)
Alaska governor defends firing of Native top cop (7/18)
First Alaska Native public safety official fired (7/14)
Alaska Native appointed to state game board (2/11)
No Natives named to Alaska Board of Game (2/7)