Few Natives seek public office in border town

Wednesday, January 17, 2007  

Native Americans make up a third of the population in Gallup, New Mexico, a town near the Navajo Nation, but few have ever run for public office.

The Gallup Independent said only two Navajos have sought seats in City Hall. Don Hubbard ran for mayor in 1995. Anna Rondon just launched her mayoral bid last week.

Local Navajos say they don't feel as tied to Gallup as they do to the reservation. "I think we don't really care about what's going on in the city," Gilbert Shorty, a Vietnam veteran, told The Gallup Independent.

Others cite distrust of the Gallup government. The city paid $300,000 to settle charges that it discriminated against Indian applicants.

Get the Story:
Natives vying for seats on council rare (The Gallup Independent 1/16)

Relevant Links:
Navajo Nation - http://www.navajo.org
Navajo Nation Council - http://www.navajonationcouncil.org

Related Stories:
Navajo woman runs for mayor of border town (1/12)
Hate crime suspects set for trial in Farmington (1/4)
Hate crime trial in border town scheduled for January (11/14)
Forum in Gallup addresses racism in border towns (11/02)
Farmington combats image as racist border town (10/30)
Navajo Nation Council hears report on racism (10/19)
Navajo council considers human rights bill (10/16)
Man accused of hate crime also charged with burglary (10/12)
Border town racism on Navajo Nation Council agenda (10/4)
Racial tensions fester in Navajo Nation border town (09/18)
Suspect pleads not guilty to beating of Navajo man (9/12)
Men face hate crimes charges for Navajo beating (9/7)
Hundreds attend memorial march in Farmington (9/5)
Editorial: March shows discrimination still exists (9/5)
Navajo Nation to march in Farmington on Saturday (8/31)
Chickasaw Nation business buys building for $7.8M (8/31)
Attack on Native officer considered a hate crime (08/23)
Judge denies treating Indians, non-Indians differently (08/11)
Permit requested for Navajo march in border town (8/8)
Navajo Nation to hold two marches in border town (8/3)
Farrakhan shocked by conditions on reservation (8/1)
Letter: No need to study racism in border towns (7/31)
Investigation sought into shooting of Navajo man (7/27)
DOJ won't investigate fatal shooting of Navajo man (7/26)
Farrakhan brings message of self-reliance to Navajos (7/21)
Controversial leader Farrakhan visits Navajo Nation (7/20)
Navajo Nation to march against border town racism (7/19)
Navajo Nation Council debates border town racism (7/18)
Indians with discrimination claims sent to sex chat (7/14)
Border town racism an issue again in Farmington (7/13)
Navajo Nation approves study of racism in border towns (7/7)
Racial tension in Farmington prompts meetings (6/29)
Farmington Mayor: City sensitive to Navajos (6/29)
Navajo leaders angered by incidents in Farmington (6/26)
George Joe: Battle lines drawn over Farmington (6/26)
Three suspects arrested for attack on Navajo man (6/19)
Navajo man attacked by white males in Farmington (06/13)
Paper examines Indian race relations, civil rights (03/24)
Paper examines Indian race relations, civil rights (3/23)
Paper examines Indian race relations, civil rights (3/22)
Editorial: Race relations improving in Farmington (03/02)
Navajo race relations subject of Civil Rights report (3/1)
Navajos turn out for civil rights commission hearing (05/03)
Civil rights panel to hold hearing in Farmington (4/29)
Racism still a sore subject 30 years after murders (4/27)
Navajos see bias in New Mexico city's justice system (4/26)
Navajo homeless men claim assault by white youth (4/23)
Navajos recall discrimination by local businesses (4/22)
1974 murders of Navajo men stir strong feelings (4/21)