"Montana is at the forefront. Its eight Native lawmakers arguably give Natives there the highest per-capita legislative representation in state governments.

But other states could do better. The National Conference of State Legislatures counts only three Natives in the Arizona legislature - and that state has a Native population of 255,000 (Montana has a Native population of 56,000).

Colorado, North Dakota, Nebraska, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Wyoming, and Washington have between zero and four Native legislators.

The lack of Native representation in state politics is owed, in part, to the youthful misconception that it's not 'our world.'"

Get the Story:
Jodi Rave: Indians needed in politics (The Rapid City Journal 1/8)

Relevant Links:
Jodi Rave Lee - http://www.missoulian.com/jodirave

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