Montana Native Americans worried about legislative influence

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Dylan Klapmeier, a spokesperson for House Republicans, said any suggestion that there is legislation aimed at discrimination “is unbelievable and has no basis in fact.” Native American lawmakers are also concerned about several election-related bills that members of the American Indian Caucus argue will make it more difficult for Native Americans, low-income residents, disabled people and rural Montanans to vote. “It’s been a nightmare for Indian Country and Montana Indians,” said Sen. Shane Morigeau, a Democrat from Missoula and one of 11 Native Americans in the Montana Legislature, all but two of whom are Democrats. Steve Bullock's nomination of Margarett Campbell to the Human Rights Commission, leaving the commission without Native American representation for the first time in at least 16 years. "I don’t agree that there was enough evidence that Christopher Columbus was intentionally as horrible as everybody said he was," said Republican Sen. Gordon Vance of Belgrade, "but I do feel the fact that American Indian Heritage Day is the fourth Friday in September does honor the Native Americans.” ___ This story has been updated to correct that there are 11 Native Americans in the Legislature, not 10, and all but two of whom are Democrats, not all but one.