"An interesting idea is being raised by Tim Giago; a South Dakota columnist and prominent American Indian writer. He suggests creating a Native American Party.

The idea is not necessarily that American Indians have candidates run for office like the Green or Libertarian parties, but that the new party would put the Republicans and Democrats off balance, so to speak.

In the past, Giago said, the Republican Party ignored Indian people because they knew we voted Democratic. The Democrats, for their part, took us for granted because we were a done deal; we always vote Democrat.

He has an idea — something to chew on. So, here are some questions: What are the advantages for Indian people to put themselves into such a small group? And we are a small group, when you compare the American Indian voting population to the population of, say, Hispanic or black voters. They have large and powerful voting blocks."

Get the Story:
DORREEN YELLOW BIRD: Do American Indians need their own party? (The Grand Forks Herald 10/15)
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