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A Day at the Races: Montana
Monday, November 1, 2004
The Zortman-Landusky gold mine complex on the southern border of the Fort Belknap Reservation. Photo © Assiniboine and Gros Ventre tribes
A DAY AT THE RACES
South Dakota
Heated Senate race targets Native voters.
California
Governor makes issue of tribal gaming. Again.
Oklahoma
Cherokee tribal member eyes open Senate seat.
Alaska
Two strong candidates bank on Native vote.
Washington
Washington tribes battle gaming measure.
Nebraska
Nebraska tribes could finally get Class III gaming.
Montana
Cyanide mining initiative irks tribes.
Colorado
Retiring Ben Nighthorse Campbell prompts battle.
|
A quick look at Montana's ballot on Election Day gives little
indication of how Natives have become ingrained in the political
system. The state boasts seven Indian lawmakers, some of whom, like
Jonathan Windy Boy of the Chippewa Cree Tribe and Frank Smith of
the Assinboine and Sioux Tribes, are up for re-election.
The Assiniboine and Gros Ventre of the Fort Belknap Reservation
have taken a
stand against Initiative 147
(
anti-campaign site |
pro-campaign site),
a measure that
would bring back cyanide heap-leach mining. Voters banned
the practice back in the 1990s. The two tribes have a particular
interest because cyanide mining
destroyed and polluted a sacred area
next to the reservation.
Relevant Links:
Fort Belknap Community Council -
http://tlc.wtp.net/fort.htm
Related Stories:
Montana tribe blasts county for voting rights
appeal (10/27)
Indian candidates take the next step in
politics (10/25)
Montana county to appeal Native voting case
(10/25)
Montana tribes renew lawsuit over abandoned
mines (10/07)
Montana tribes take battle over gold mines to
court (05/04)
Fort Belknap Tribes sue
over abandoned gold mines (01/30)
Mont. tribes fight to clean up old gold
mines (11/18)
Mont. tribes sue over
cleanup of mines near reservation (10/29)
Mont. mine cleanup bill killed for
losing teeth (03/28)
Mont.
mine cleanup bill clears one hurdle (3/27)
Mont. tribal members want mines
cleaned up (03/19)
Mont.
tribes offer mine tours (05/30)
Tribes plan to challenge mine plan
(5/6)
Mont. tribes want mine
cleanup (5/3)
Cleanup of mine
near reservation costly (1/9)
Fort Belknap tribes push mine cleanup
(10/1)
Mont. tribes lose mining
auction (9/5)
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