Democratic candidate Paula Hawks, left, met with leaders of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe of South Dakota in May 2016. Photo from Twitter
Paula Hawks, a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House, is visiting every tribe in South Dakota as part of her Congressional campaign. In an interview with Indian Country Today, Hawks said she's been to six reservations so far. She plans to complete her tour this month and the next. "Topping their list is not just healthcare but law enforcement and education, housing opportunities, things that are really important not just to folks on the reservations but people everywhere," Hawks told ICT. "We all have the same concerns and all have the same desires. We want to live a better life and make sure that we have healthcare and jobs." Hawks, who currently serves in the South Dakota House, is challenging Rep. Kristi Noem (R-South Dakota) for the state's sole Congressional seat. Noem has won praise from tribes for her efforts to reform the Indian Health Service and is backing tribes on labor sovereignty and Affordable Care Act issues. Native Americans represent nearly 9 percent of the population in South Dakota, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. In the past, their votes have played a key role in determining the outcome of close elections but Noem has easily won her last two campaigns by overwhelming margins. Get the Story:
SD Rep. Paula Hawks Stresses Partnerships in Run for Congress (Indian Country Today 7/13)
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