Native voters in S.D. county make history

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 8, 2003

After more than 100 years of political existence, a South Dakota county on Tuesday swore in its first Indian sheriff.

Bennett County is 52 percent Indian but for the first time in history has Indian representation. Charlie Cummings was elected sheriff during an unprecedented Native vote campaign last fall.

Also elected was Gerald Bettelyoun as a commissioner. Bettelyoun and Cummings ran to oppose non-Indian candidates they say hold racist views.

Sandy Flye was also recently elected the first Native to sit on the county school board.

Get the Story:
Indians show political clout (The Denver Post 1/8)

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