Tribes donated $11.4 million to politicians during the 2008 election cycle, Congressional Quarterly-Roll Call reports.

The donations are up from $1.7 million in 2000. Tribal contributions have increased steadily since then though the Jack Abramoff scandal put a damper on giving for a couple of years.

The money comes as American Indians and Alaska Natives have increased their turnout at the polls. At least three elections -- Sen. Tim Johnson (D-South Dakota) in 2002, Sen. Jon Tester (D-Montana) in 2006 and Sen. Al Franken (D-Minnesota -- have been credited to the reservation vote.

And with President Barack Obama in the White House, tribes have seen their issues elevated to a higher level. His administration is backing a number of bills that languished during the Bush years.

“This has probably been the best year for Native Americans” in a long time, Rep. Tom Cole (R-Oklahoma), a member of the Chickasaw Nation, told CQ-Roll Call. “Certainly, in my experience, I have never seen anything like it.”

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American Indians Exercise Political Clout (CQ-Roll Call 12/2)