Native American votes matter in an election year

Carol’s List, an organization aimed at helping women’s influence and power in the political arena, and Montana Native Vote, an organization helping Native political candidates, hosted a community conversation last Thursday night at Salish Kootenai College to engage community leaders, elected officials and local residents in a discussion about issues and politics that affect the local areas.

Guest speaker and former Montana Senator Pat Williams https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pat_Williams_%28Montana%29 , opened the "conversation" by remembering his friendship and admiration of the late Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe’s leader, "Mickey" Pablo.

"There are three ways Native Americans can gain serious power," he said: economics, elections, and education.

He preached education.

"Without it, the economy can’t work," he said.

By Lailani Upham

Full Story: http://www.charkoosta.com/2016/2016_02_11/Native_votes_community_conversation.html