Ethan Berkowitz, the Democratic nominee for governor of Alaska, said racism might be behind the state government's longtime fight over Native subsistence rights.

During a debate at the Alaska Federation of Natives convention, Berkowitz said he wasn't accusing Gov. Sean Parnell (R) of discrimination. But he said Parnell hasn't done enough for Alaska Natives in rural areas.

Parnell criticized Berkowitz for bringing up race. “We’ve had a civil debate until now,” said at the debate, The Fairbanks Daily News Miner.

Federal law protects Alaska Native subsistence rights but the state hasn't always recognized them. The state lost a series of rulings in the landmark Katie John case.

Get the Story:
Racism invades Alaska governor debate (The Fairbanks Daily News Miner 10/23)

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