Democrat candidates "Get Out To Vote Tour" in Fort Belknap
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Libby Kuntz
(L--R) Frank Smith, Gov. Steve Bullock, Denise Juneau, Melissa Romano, Monica Lindeen, Jesse Laslovich, Leslie Horn (President of the Aaniiih Nakoda Student Organization) Not Pictured, Senator Jon Tester.
Gov. Steve Bullock led a powerhouse of seven state Democratic candidates at a "Get Out To Vote Tour" and rally at Fort Belknap on November 3. Others in attendance were Sen. Jon Tester and the following candidates for office: Denise Juneau, U.S. Congress; Monica Lindeen, Sec. of State; Jesse Laslovich, Auditor; Frank Smith, Senate District 16; and Melissa Romano, Montana "Teacher of the Year" and candidate for Office of Public Instruction.
All speakers encouraged those in attendance to get out and exercise their right to vote and have their voices heard. Other themes included preserving Native languages, maintaining positive government to government relationships in Indian Country, ensuring excellence in public education for all Montana children, caring for and managing public lands, supporting innovation and economic development across the state, and striving to improve the civility of the political conversation in our state and nation.
Mark Azure, chairman of the Fort Belknap Community Council and Carole Falcon Chandler, president of Aaniiih Nakoda College, welcomed the crowd to the event and thanked the governor and candidates for always listening to and assisting with the concerns of Indian Country. Gerald Stiffarm, EmCee and Coordinator of the Snake Butte Voter Coalition praised the local efforts of the "Get Out the Vote" campaign. Stiffarm stated that the mission of the coalition is to "Encourage citizens to participate in the election process; Educate voters on the issues; and Entice people to vote at all costs."
The rally was sponsored by the Montana Democratic Party in collaboration with the Fort Belknap Tribal Council, Snake Butte Voter Coalition, KGVA Youth Coalition, students of Aaniiih Nakoda College and the Blaine County Democratic Central Committee. KGVA radio station broadcast the event in the interests of voter education. Special thanks go to Eleanor Yellow Robe of Western Native Voice and Gail Main and Cheryl Horn of the Montana Native Voter for assisting with the event and serving the lunch.
