"Native Republicans? No, really. They exist.

They're not some mythical creature in the same league as a Greek two-headed monster or an underwater Scottish dinosaur.

They live, they breath and, guess what, they work to sway voters to their point of view, much like Native Democrats.

Most Native leaders peg the percentage of Natives who consider themselves Democratic at 80 percent, but on Thursday, conservative tribal members attempted to disprove the conventional wisdom that all Natives are Democrats.

They gathered in St. Paul, Minn., at the Republican National Convention for an informal Native American Caucus and Policy Issues Forum. They gathered to discuss Native voter outreach, the Republican Native American policy platform and the presidential transition.

Jacqueline Johnson Pata, National Congress of American Indians executive director, told caucus participants that it's important Native people don't align themselves with one party.

"It's important for us to bring Indian Country issues to the RNC," she said. "We have to ensure that that both parties are well informed and that candidates are vying for the Native vote.""

Get the Story:
Kevin Abourezk: Yes, Native Republicans Exist (RezNet News 9/5)

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